Now That'll Age You

I had just finished the XC race in Gainesville.  Not my best performance.  6/13, no power, heart rate not responding.  On my way home I felt like I had a fever.  When we were unloading I got the chills.  I had other symptoms but I won't go into detail here.

So it turns out I had a urinary tract infection.  Yes they are rare in men and yes I had had one 30 years ago.  Went to my GP and got some antibiotics and figured it would run it's course.  The evening of the next day, after forcing fluids all day, I suddenly couldn't pee.  Nope, not at all.  So to the emergency room we went.

In case you haven't experienced it a catheter is something you should avoid if at all possible.  But it was mandatory for me at the time.

Kept that bitch in for a couple of days then went to see a Urologist.  He said I should come in Friday morning and they'd take it out.  But I had to pee out the water that was in my bladder within 4 hours or they would put the catheter back in.  Talk about pressure.  I made it, but barely.

Thought I was on the road to recovery.  That lasted a week.  Back to see the Urologist on Friday, says my bladder is still full, wants to put the catheter back in.  "Nope" I say, "not gonna happen.  I'm going to a football game in Gainesville tomorrow."  He says "Well they have emergency rooms down there too."  Funny guy.  I went to the game anyway.

This is the FSU/UF game but you get the point

I had an appointment to get scoped on Monday morning already.  Doc said he'd just perform a "procedure" on me while I was out.  Said it should clear things right up.  Mentioned some possible side effects but acted like it was no big deal.  So they put me to sleep and I woke up fixed.

And I had another catheter in me.  Kept this fun thing for 3 days.  Went back, same deal as before, pulled it out (which is not near as bad as in but still not pleasant) and had to pee before 4:00 pm.

I never thought the sound of taking a piss would bring me to tears but it did.  Finally.  Doc said to stay off the bike and out of the gym for a week until my next appointment.  At that time he said to stay off the bike another 10 days and out of the gym another 5.  Sigh.

Anyhoo, that put me at 6 weeks off the bike.  The longest I've been off since THE CRASH.  I was angry, depressed, and scared.  Mainly because this type of stuff isn't supposed to happen to me.  I know in the grand scheme of things this is a little blip.  I am ashamed to say what a whimp I was (still am). 

It aged me.  Really it did.  I actually look older than I did before.  I gained a couple of pounds and lost any muscle tone I may have had.  But I'm back on the bike and back in the gym.

Our tradional Thanksgiving golf game.  See how old I look?

I wonder how many "comebacks" I have left in me. 

Another Race Story

I finally got the guts to enter the 50+ sport class in the first race of the Florida State Series.  And guess what.  I had fun.

I had hoped for a top five finish, at least something mid pack.  After all it was my home track.  So this is how it went:

The Race

I had planned to sit in and see what the rest of the class had in store so I got off the line near the back.  After the water crossing on the multi use it seemed like we were out for a trail ride.  I saw a rider I'd raced with in SERC make a move so I followed him up to third.  Then I got to feeling froggy.

I made a move to get in front and the "gentlemen" in the lead just moved over and pushed me off the road.  Being just a little pissed I got by him just before we went into the single track.  And suddenly I was in first!

We managed to gap the field until he got around me at the dog water.  Then he slows down, way down.  The rest of the group catches up.  I am starting to wonder what's going on.

Second lap, I sprint to get in front of him after the start, stay there until he passes me again, then he crashes big time.  "Well that should be enough of that" I think.  But knowwww, I hear (in a Latino accent) "On your left", and around he goes.  Then he slows down.

The Clydesdale's start to catch us, I trade places with third in my class a couple of times, then first place crashes, again.  This time he holds up the clydes and the rest of us while he gets up off the trail and gets back on his bike.  I don't pass him again.  At the end of the second of three laps he puts in a real effort and drops me and third place.

I hold third back until half way through lap 3 then have to let him by.  HR was in a good place but I just wasn't making any power.

Anyoo, I was pleased with 3 out of 10.  If I can get to the point I can hold that pace for the whole race I should be in good shape in SERC.  Maybe not in winning shape but at least competitive.  And that's all I can ask.

Jack Rabbit

The 3 hour race in North Carolina is this weekend.  It's currently flooding up there right now.  I'm going anyway.  I'm not in the series so it's just for funzies.  Maybe it will drain off.

Then it's Dirty Spaghetti and one more XC race and I'm done for 2018 as far as racing goes anyway.

I'm thinking about hiring a personal trainer during my base season to try to get some more strength in my core and hips.  I do strength training but I'm never sure I'm doing it right.

Looking forward to some fall weather.  This has been the hottest September since 1945.

I'll see ya on the next page.

The Spaces In Between

I stayed off a plan for a week then started feeling antsy.  So I went back to XC base.  I found out that the gym work in base is a lot harder than BPR.  I couldn't walk straight for a week.

As far as rides go I just did the prescribed times and rolled with whoever I was riding with wanted to do.  This worked pretty well.  I just needed a few harder rides sprinkled in there.  Though the ones that were hard were really hard.

The Santa Cruz is harder to ride fast than the Cannondale, duh.  It turns slower and spins up slower.  The suspension is just a little more plush but not much.  I imagine it goes downhill faster but I'd need to grow bigger balls to do that.

I do notice a drop in my confidence after nats.  That's weird since I figured I'd feel bullet proof.  Not so.  Fitness seems flat also but that's to be expected.  It's sooooo damn hot and humid it's hard to gauge anyway.

Looking Ahead

So Lynda prescribed going back to the 50 mile personal record plan to get ready for the Chain Buster 3 hour at the end of September.  Of course I plan to do the XC race in Tallahassee on the 15th.  Then it's the Dirty Spaghetti in October, followed by the XC race in Gainesville in November, and that should wind up my 2018 racing season.  Sigh.  Over so soon.

My internal debate about which class to ride has found an answer ( I think).  I'll do 60+ in these Florida XC races and then do 50 sport in SERC and GSC in 2019.  That is if I stay healthy.  Sure the extra lap is going to hurt but what the hell.  

New Things

Meditation and yoga.  I have dabbled in both before but this year I really tried to be consistent.  I wish I had done this earlier in life.  Even now I struggle to carve out time for yoga but when I do I wonder why I resist it so.

Anyhoo, I'm glad to have some kind of a direction as far as training goes.  I don't know why I need that structure but I do.

I've been fantasizing about retirement lately.  Thinking a van would be cool to travel in.  Haul the bikes, hike, maybe kayak.  We could take it to the races.  Only one problem, The Lovely Wife isn't sold on the idea yet.  I don't understand why she wouldn't want to listen to me rant while I drive?

..

Well, That's Nats

It's a week of nothing but mountain bikes.  All ages.  It's fun to see how much we're different but yet really so alike. 

The down hill crowd isn't nearly as fit as the enduro or XC bunch.  Lots more tats and hair.

The enduro riders are in between.  Some look fit enough to ride up hill, some, not so much.  This type of competition looks to be growing.

The XC geeks are easy to spot.  Most are fit looking.  The juniors classes were over the top with 115 in the boys 15-16.  Lots of young girls racing also.  These classes bring out a huge number of spectators.  Lots of family in attendance.

There were 20 in my 60-65 class, the biggest master class of the day.

The gentleman who won the 80+ class was in Starbucks after his race downloading his stuff into Training Peaks.  How cool is that?  He said he hoped he had another 10-15 years of racing.  Now that's inspiring.

My Race

Oh well.  I got a second row call up.  Which I proceeded to ruin by getting elbowed by the dude next to me.  I came around the first turn towards the back of the pack.

We did the fingers section again.  It had rained the day before which made it even slicker.  There is no flow, only slick roots and black mud.  I fell once and ran most of the .6 miles both laps.  I'll complain here, the pros did a much shorter section of this stuff.  I rode theirs by accident on a practice day and almost cleaned it.  Anyhoo.

I clawed back up to the field on the climbs, passing a couple, only to get passed back in the fingers.

I rode more of the rock section than last year, so that's a positive.

I ended up getting pulled by 10 seconds, finishing 18/20.  Sigh.  If we had raced in Conyers......

I had a couple of beers for lunch and all was well.

Blake's Races

He entered three; 19-24 cat 1, U 23, and STXC.  

After getting a good start in the cat 1 race he crashed in..... you guessed it, the fingers section.  Twisting his stem and putting him near the back.  I don't remember where he finished but he burned some matches trying to get back on.

In the U 23 he had a tire go slack after burping it on a rock.  

The STXC was his best race.  However it was on Sunday so he was understandably tired.  Still he seemed to have had a good time.

Random Thoughts

USA Cycling does a mediocre job of running an event of this caliber.  Not many vendors.  Trail sucks (see above).  I feel like the cycling community is missing a great marketing possibility.  But what do I know?  I mean, 115 15-16 year old boys and their family's?  Talk about developing brand loyalty!

Snowshoe is a great place.  Good food, friendly people, beautiful scenery, cool temps.

Maybe because there's more money in it but moto, even at the amature level, does a MUCH better job.  Heck, even FTR had a better end of the year deal than this was.

I'll admit I wouldn't have gone if Blake didn't go.  Me racing in the wet roots of West Virginia is a stretch.  Having said that I did have a great time.  I already miss the place and all the races.  I wonder where it will be held next year?

Another One Bites the Dust

It's over for another year.  I'm sad it's done but glad I did it.  I won't do the 60+ next year.  At least right now I'm saying that.  No one to race with makes winning not as fun.  It looks like I caused less guys to come out and ride and not more.

Blake had a stand out year.  Earning the #3 plate for next season in SERC.  Who knows if he'll be around to race the series.  I think he enjoyed it and I hope he carries good memories of us all going to the races together.  I'm lucky to do this with my son, so many fathers don't participate in the sport and just go watch the race.  I know it's not for everybody but I think they are missing out on something.

Short Track

We got to Helen at 2, sign up was slow, the track wasn't well marked, and it started raining at 2:30.  A gully washer as my Mom calls them.  For some reason Dave had my wave going first so I didn't even get to make a practice lap, nor did I get warmed up.  I didn't need the points anyway, in fact I don't know why I signed Blake and I up.  The only rider in my class forgot the start time and didn't even ride.

It was slick and messy, I just rode it for a warm up for the XC.  Blake struggled also.  We felt like it was too wet to make a lap of the XC course so we headed to the lodge.

The Lodge

Unicoi was having some issues that rainy Saturday afternoon.  We couldn't get checked in till 7.  We tried to go to downtown Helen to get a bite to eat.  What a huge mistake that was.  The place was a zoo.  So back to the tavern at the lodge we went.  At least they comped us for the drinks and meal.

Race Day

It was clear and cool when we got up.  Blake and I were glad we had decided to do our practice lap that morning.    It was still slick but not near as bad as the ST yesterday.  Somehow I managed to slip on the first hard climb and bust my ass.  Nothing damaged but my confidence.

Blake's race was stacked with pros getting ready for nationals.  He finished a respectable 9 out of 22.

I rode a good race, easily beating the 2 other riders in my class.  I was disappointed in my leg strength at the top of the steepest climbs.  My second lap was 3 minutes slower than my first.  But it was a fun course.  I lose time on the descents.  I just can't let go of the brakes.  The woods were dark and I was having trouble seeing.  I should practice before next season.

The Banquet

Not a big deal for me.  Blake was pumped for his first podiums in elites.  It was anti climatic as far as my racing was concerned.  I got some stuff.  Once again I was a little sad it was over.

I enjoy the lodge on the Sunday after it's all over.  Most folks are gone and we have the place almost to ourselves.  Blake and I watched UCI races on his lap top then went to the tavern for pizza.  It was a good day.

Nats

We leave this Sunday.  Weather looks grim.  I am less than pumped.  I'll be glad to not be doing these again next year.  I know better than to talk to my self like this but it's the place I'm in right now.  I will turn my head around before we go.  It's a lot of money to spend and not enjoy it.

If I can just take it moment by moment and not get caught up in the future thinking I'll be all right.  And sometimes if you expect the worst you end up having a great time.  See, that's the way to think!

Almost There

This is the end, my only friend the end. 

Both SERC and GSC final race is this weekend in Helen Ga.  It starts with a SERC short track Saturday evening with the combined XC race Sunday.  The way Gone Riding runs this is you have to finish this race to complete the season.  That makes it a little sketch.  I am in the lead in both series so all I need to do is finish.  But this is bike racing so I never know what might happen.

That being said I'm looking forward to this weekend.  I'm healthy and in good shape.  I haven't been on my race bike for almost a month due to repairs but I think I can adapt quickly. 

Speaking of those repairs it's gonna cost me $1000.  Add that to me buying a new bike (which I'm glad I did or I wouldn't have been riding this past month), this race, nats, and vacation, and you have a pretty big pile of money going out.  I have managed to sell a couple of bikes but they never bring the money I think they will.  These things are almost disposable, sad.

Then there's Blake's school, plus stuff that needs fixing at the house, not to mention my retirement.  Will it all work out?  We haven't gone hungry yet.

Nationals

We travel the following week to West Virginia.  I look forward to this with some trepidation.  Fortunately I have a better idea what I'll be up against than I did last year.  I believe I have better leg strength this year, however my tech skills are at about the same level.  I will be more focused on what I can ride and not worry about what I can't.  I will be happy with a top 10, but that will mean shaving 15 minutes off my time from last year.  That's a lofty goal.

Blake is riding three races.  He's in good shape and has a great bike under him.  He will be racing the best in the country.  I'm super proud of him for doing this work.  His diet is going great and he has a good attitude about all this. 

After

The Lovely Wife has the summer off and is looking for a different job.  

I'm considering doing the Florida XC series.

It will be hard not to follow a training plan for a couple of weeks.

I have a lot of stuff to do around the house after all this racing is over.

My training partner is having surgery to repair his gut.  He'll be out for a while.  I hope he can come back strong.

I'm looking forward to some time at the beach?

Future Dave

This is a note to my future self.  As most of these blogs are.  I get a kick out of  looking back at the past years and to see what I got right and what I missed.  Don't live in the past.  Live in the present.  Still it's cool to take a peek back every now and then.

So Future Dave, you took a look at last years post regarding nationals and the finals at Helen.  In it you said you were surprised to even finish the season due to THE INJURY.  Your confidence was rattled after your sight in lap at nats.  You feel much better about both races this year.

You are in good shape right now.  You didn't work on the tech skills like you were supposed to (no surprise here).  But you have been faithful to the OMTP.  More than in years past.  Just not the skills sets.

The Cannondale suspension has been rebuilt.  This should make a little difference in the rocks.  Please remember to have it serviced on a regular basis to avoid this huge unexpected expense.

This will be the last year for nationals for a few years.  Right now it is a relief.  The extra race at the end of the season, plus training in the heat of a Florida summer, makes it hard to just enjoy the vacation.

You still have misgivings about the 60+ class.  Please give it up.  Just enjoy the events.  It doesn't matter what others think.

Here is what you need to do going forward.  Stay healthy.  Eat less.  Meditate every day.  Keep up the yoga twice a week.  Enjoy the moment you are in right now.  Focus, on every moment, and on the people around you right now.  Do the work but enjoy the process.  Stop trying to control what happens, you can't, you can only control how you react.

Peace out.

Accccccworth

SERC #6, GSC #5  Acworth Ga.

Getting right down to business, the short track on Saturday was fun.  I did the pre ride on the XC course to get warmed up then watched Blake give first place in the yellow (fast) wave away.  He was confused about how many laps they'd run and let the local stay in front going through scoring, planning on passing him on the next lap, which he did, but it was all for nought and he ended up second overall.

I got a poor jump in the white wave (special needs classes) and ended up getting into the woods in fourth, behind two 40+ and two juniors.  The 40 guys pulled away and I settled in behind the kids.  Every time we came through scoring one of the tykes would pull a wheelie, causing mommy and daddy to squeal with delight.  

The race ended with a long gravel road section.  I went wide at the beginning and started the sprint.  I must have caught them by surprise as I got in front of them pretty quick.  From there I just moved over forcing them to back off or run into their cheering section.  There were no wheelies.  I ended up third overall.  There's a lesson here, if you're going to show boat you better be able to back it up.

XC Sunday

Only two of us in the 60+, sad.  I must have burned a match in the ST because neither my legs or my HR were happy about getting warmed up.  I started the race out at a reasonable tempo, managed to put a gap on Stan, then settled in.  I didn't have as much fun as I did at Chattanooga.  I blame it on both the ST and the trail.  Anyhoo, I caught all the 50+ and got into the 3-4 place Clydesdales.  They were having a race so since I had a gap and it was the end of the last lap I just rode behind them.  At least until we hit that same graded road finish.

Damn I make that BC kit look good

Yes I sprinted, yes they beat me, no I didn't cause the crash.  Two Clydesdales can't occupy the same space at the same time, something had to give, and it did.  Nobody was hurt.  I got first.  It was hot.  I had another good weekend.

Crawling toward the finish

Blake got a well deserved second in the Elites after one of the other riders had a mechanical.  He's getting so much stronger.

Looking Back

And then there were just two.  Time to find another class?

It wasn't my best race.  There was a small rock up and over that I didn't even attempt.  I had done it last year.  I even worried about it the night before.  I know better than to let one small part of a race worry me.  I do this for fun and every moment I spend not in a happy place is a wast of time.  In the end I walked it both laps, so did everybody that was around me.  Not really an issue as far as the race goes.  So all that negitive energy for nothing.

Only one more race in both series and that's the final at Helen.  I can't believe it's almost over.  Damn the time goes by fast.  I have certainly enjoyed doing this.  Every year I learn something new that adds to my ability to have fun at this bike racing stuff.

Blake is in the top 3 in both series.  Pretty good for his first year in elites.  I just have to finish Helen and will once again win both GSC and SERC in the 60+.  Once again I'll question my class choice.  I'm thinking about doing the Florida series.  We'll see.

Chattanooga

SERC #6, Nature Trails, Chattanooga Tn. 

 An awesome place to race.  7 miles of sweet single track.  We didn't get to pre ride the course on Saturday since there was another event at the venue.  No matter (at least not to me).

You can always tell an old guy from behind.  Boney arms and all.

We rode at White Oak Mtn. on Saturday, which was another machine built trail system.  Well worth the visit.  I hope to go back again.

But damn I look good from the front :).

Race Day

Only three of us on the line for the XC race Sunday.  As I pushed through the Juniors I heard one of the parents say "60 plus?  They should get a trophy for just showing up."  Ageism at it's best.  I really hate the looks we older riders get, kind of like we're cute for just racing.

Anyhoo, one of the guys in my class was new to the series.  He looked pretty fit so I didn't want to give him a chance to get to the single track ahead of me.  In the OMTP she has me practice a one minute charge from a dead stop, then settle into my cross country pace.  Seemed to work this time as after the one mile paved start the other two were no where in sight when I turned into the woods.

As I started to catch the Clydes I looked behind me and saw New Guy only a few turns back.  Oh yea!  I thought, now we have a race!  He stayed about the same distance back as we started the second lap.  I made a decision to not look at my Garmin and just go as hard as I could stand for the next 3 miles.  Turns out I can stand more than I think.  I ended up beating him by a little over a minute.

I really felt good.  I was able to concentrate on the trail ahead of me (most of the time) and actually race ahead.  Oh sure I got tired, and my legs and back were talking to me, but I was going about as fast as I could for that day.  It certainly helped that I was enjoying the trail.

He keeps rolling the crash dice and he'll come up snake eyes one day.

The Kid

He managed to salvage a 3rd in his class.  A couple of crashes took some of the fun out of it for him.  At the speed those guys are going he's going to have to concentrate more.

Hmmm, short and a beard must make you fast.

Looking Back

The second place guy in my class (went by the handle of Smoke) didn't stay around for podiums, turns out he was a local and rode those trails all the time.  Dave (race organizer) forgot to do our podiums so we staged a sit in.  It may seem a little silly for old men to get a medal and stand on a box but hey, it's all for fun anyway.

Old guys protest being last at podiums.

Once again I'm super fortunate to be able to do this at 62, heck I'm surprised I still want to do this.  But I do, even the training (except for the indoor trainer, I kinda hate that) and the gym work.  I will admit to getting burned out on the gym stuff lately but I just need to mix it up some more and not let those morons get to me.

I'm dropping Bump and Grind this next weekend, it wasn't much fun last year and it looks like I should be okay in SERC.  Then it's Acworth for the GSC and SERC make up, then Helen for the finals in both series.  Followed by nationals in July.  I may even do the Florida series, who knows.

Broken

I was so looking forward to a couple of long MTB rides this past weekend.  Everything was looking good until Friday evening.  As I was finishing up a lap of Root Bug the Cannondale started creaking, bad.  I could feel the top shock mount vibrate every time it moved.  Not a good sign.

So I had to ignore the group texts about rides for Saturday and headed to HG as soon as they opened.  Seems both the bearing and the shock mount were toast.  Of course no one would keep something like that in stock.  Cannondale wasn't open on Saturday so I would have to wait till Tuesday to find out if I was going to be able to race the following weekend in Chattanooga.

Note to self: just go ahead and replace ALL the bearings on the race bike on an annual basis.  On my moto if the top shock mount bearing failed I replaced the bottom also.  Just makes sense.  My suspension needs servicing but that would mean taking the bike out of service for weeks, don't need that here at the end of the season.  So I came up with a solution.

New Bike!

I know it's a rationalization but I really need two MTBs.  After all, most of my friends have two (at least).  So after shopping I settled on a Santa Cruz Tall Boy.  Kind of a mid grade build, nothing fancy.  I can race it if I have to.  Mostly it's for something different and to keep hours off the race bike.  I am selling my road bike and one of Blakes' MTB.  Plus his road bike (I'm keeping the money, he doesn't know this yet) and hope to recoup most of the cost of the new bike.

Racing?

It looks like the shop will have my race bike ready Friday.  Just in time for me to race it in the rain Sunday.  I really like the trail in Chattanooga, it drains well and is fun.  Blakes' going so it will make for a fun weekend.  Plus we have Monday off!

My fitness is good.  My weight finally started to come back down (I'd still like to lose some more).  I had my bi-annual physical and everything was good except for my cholesterol, which was up just a little.  Not enough for meds but enough for her to scold me about my weekend beers.  

Some things just make life fun though.

Off Weekend

Well not quite.  I still traveled one day to see my mother.  I am tired of looking at the interstate through the windshield.

I managed to get most of my prescribed workouts in last week despite missing all day Sunday.  I was short on total time on the bike by :30 and missed a core workout and a yoga session.  Well when I type it out it looks like I missed a lot.  Those yoga deals (2/ week) are the hardest to make time for.  It's just :20 each so I don't know why I avoid them.

Odd thing, my weight is up, and staying up.  I've started cutting further back on intake but it's not showing on the scales.  Sad, I was planning on losing a couple of pounds before nationals in July.  Now it looks like I'll have to be satisfied with getting back to regular race weight.

Grandpa Shawn

That's what Blake and his friends called him.  He was killed on his bike last week by a distracted driver.  Very sad and very upsetting.  He left behind a wife and 13 year old son.  

Blake rides those roads all the time and it terrifies me.  I've always felt that the punishment for distracted or stupid driving should be harsh if you kill or even injure someone.  From my years of riding a motorcycle on the road I have developed a keen hatred for dumb ass drivers.  Mainly because if they were to hit me I would have come out on the losing end, much like a cyclist.

Bicycles have even less of a chance than motorcycles.  They are very slow, very small, skinny tires, no power, and for some reason some drivers think they have the right to disobey traffic laws when it comes to bikes.

I'm not really sure that harsher punishment would change things, look at drunk driving.  

Anyhoo, my road bike is for sale.

God speed Shawn.

Happier Days

This weekend I plan to be at home the whole weekend!  The weather looks questionable but hey, there's always Munson.

I've been fantasizing about a camper van for racing and eventually retirement.  Kinda cliche huh?  They are damn sure expensive but I'm intrigued.  Winnebago Travato 59g (I think) is what looks like the best deal for the money.  The Lovely Wife doesn't seem as pumped as I am though.

Blake is staying in Gainesville for the summer.  That's the hottest place in the state this time of year.  

Got some blood work done this week for my physical next week.  I feel great and I'm very healthy, still, I worry they might find something.  I haven't had one in a couple of years.  Wish me luck.

Dauset and Some Weird Stuff

SERC #5/ GSC #4, SERC Time Trial on Saturday

Just The Lovely Wife and I on this trip, Blake decided to stay in Gainesville to celebrate the graduation of some of his friends.  If he wasn't in a 5 year program he'd be graduating.  Seems like I just took him to orientation last week.

Under the weird stuff heading, we had our credit card hacked at the Pilot station in Albany Ga.  Luckily I have an app that shows every transaction as soon as it goes in.  We returned to the station and confronted the clerk who claimed to know nothing about it.  Anyway, I canceled the transaction and had the card stopped.  Albany is a piss stain of a place.

Gone Riding had marked a great trail for both the XC and the TT.  It's another perfect setting for a race.  Even though my competitor isn't very competitive I ran at the TT hard.  Finishing 15/45 with the second fastest white wave time.  We headed for dinner at French Market in Locust Grove.

TT pic, I'm so fast I blur the camera

After a very pleasant dinner (not quite to Chili's standards but nice for a change) we went looking for our hotel.  I had made reservations at a La Quinta but upon arriving we couldn't find one, anywhere.  I called and the clerk explained they had been bought out by Holiday Inn and were now under that sign.  Okay.  So we check in, get to our room, and the AC isn't working.  There was only one person working in the hotel, he was super nice but was way overwhelmed trying to check in people and get us another room.  Finally after an hour we got into a room with working AC.  My campervan fantasy is looking better all the time.

To add to the hotel deal there wasn't any coffee ready in the breakfast nook, took them 15 minuets to get some.  All the while my fellow man was walking around in his PJ's with his little bedroom slippers sliding across the floor.  Disgusting.

XC Sunday

Clear and cool with a steady breeze.  Good trails to warm up on.  Not a very big turnout.

I got a good start and paced myself, I was a little concerned after the TT on Saturday, thinking about cramping.  I didn't have any issues except that I must have hit my derailleur as half way through the second lap the bike started ghost shifting (Marcus at Higher Ground confirmed this today).  There was a fair amount of climbing and the trail was rough as Red Bug in spots.  I enjoyed it more today looking back than I did Sunday.

Anyhoo, I beat Stan by 5 minuets, passing all the 50+ and Clydesdale's in the process.

Who thinks David's awesome?  Raise your hands.

We managed to make it home without anymore weird stuff happening.  I'm writing this on Tuesday and I'm still a little tired.  There's 3 weeks until Chattanooga, I'm ready for a weekend at home.

Winder

SERC #4 GSC #3
Fort Yargo State Park, Winder Ga.
My favorite trail so far.

The weather was magnificent.  Warm and breezy for the pre ride on Saturday and cool to cold for the race on Sunday.  The event is held beside a lake making it even more beautiful. 

The first time I raced here was 2011, I can't wrap my mind around that being 7 years ago.  FB came up with one of those look back 5 year things and it was photos from this race.  It had rained, I got third in 50+ sport.  The guy who got second is dead now.  Blake got 5 in his age group, now he's getting 5th in Elites.  That kind of stuff happens when you get old.

Saturday

I'll admit to the drive to these races getting a little old.  Thank goodness The Lovely Wife still likes to go along.  There used to be a group from Tallahassee who went racing with us but they've all decided to do something else this year.

Anyhoo the practice lap was fun.  The woods green, the trail dry.  Blake got there later and did his own laps while I sat in the sun and watched the lake.  This is the kind of weather that makes me want a camper van.

Dinner was at our usual pre race establishment.  Blake asked if we ate the same thing here every time.  Yea, I guess we do.  Good room at the HIE.

Race Day

Clear and 50 degrees!  Blake's race went good.  He ran with the lead group eventually finishing 5th overall.  The leader is at another level and was way off the front.

I only had 4 in my class which was disappointing since we had 7 last year.  I had trouble clipping in off the start but still managed to get into the single track first.  I only had Stan go with me and was able to get past the Clyde's on the first hill, leaving him behind.  After that I just kept picking off riders and tried to keep my pace up.  Once again I had trouble focusing on the ride, still a lot of noise in my head.

I put in a good effort, I don't think I had much more in the tank.  Looking back from in front of this computer I think I could have gone another lap, just not at that pace.  Maybe.

In the End

I won by 3 minuets.  Beating my time from last year by :01:11, and averaging .29 miles per hour faster.  Is that good?  I didn't feel fast.  I didn't feel like my legs were generating much power, especially on the steep short climbs.  After all this was my "A" race for the first half of the series, it's as good as I get.  Plus I only got to race for 47 minuets, not really a good training ride. 

I know, I know, cat up and quit bitching.  I did enjoy the day.  I am gratefull to just be out here doing this, blah blah blah.  Stan bragged about the fact he didn't even train.  I like the training, but I was expecting maybe better results.

So for the next 12 weeks I'll keep up the work.  This weekend is a time trial on Saturday and the Dauset XC on Sunday.  Maybe I just need a little break in the racing?

Caution, Slippery When Wet

Bryson City, N. C.  SERC # 3.  Tsali Trails.

Rain was in the forecast all week.  But we'd managed to miss it last weekend so I ignored it.  Nothing I could do about it anyway.  I'd never raced this race before and was anxious about riding in the mountains during what was supposed to be severe weather.  Once again I worked at shutting that noise out and enjoying the trip.

That worked (mostly).   On Saturday I pre rode a trail other than the one we would race on, due to horses being on it.  I am really cautious on the shelf type single track.  Especially the fast downhills.  My fingers squeeze the brakes almost without me thinking about it.  Dr. Sworks says it's just self preservation.

After the ride we had a great dinner at a small cafe downtown.  Then took a walk around town.  It was like a mini vacation.  My relaxed mood could have been due to the two Dirty Girls I had before dinner.  Either way I was looking forward to the race.

Patter Patter

On the hotel room window Sunday morning, rain.  It got heavier as the morning went on, finally stopping just as my class rolled to the line.

The race started with a 1.6 mile graded road climb.  I figured if I could get ahead before we went into the single track I could put it onto survival mode till I figured out how slick it was.  There were only three of us in the 60+, not a big turnout in any of the classes for that matter.  Dave blew the whistle and we were off.

By the time I crested the hill going onto the trail I couldn't see anybody behind me.  This trail was wet by not overly slick.  I could still race the uphills and take the downs conservatively.  Then we merged onto the section the morning classes had used and the picture changed, at least in my mind it did.

The mud ruts along the side of the mountain got my attention.  Due to my past history with slick trails I may be more cautious than others.  

Oh let's face it, I am a scardy cat when it gets slick.  That's not to say I can't race it, it's just that I go very slow.  I would pass people on the climbs and they'd go right by me on the downhills.  Still, I was working and racing, I was even enjoying it (a little).  Though I will admit to looking at my Garmin occasionally to see how far I had to go.

I finished first in my class, didn't crash, and felt good about my ride.  Yeah, my race time was slow.  but I lived to race another day.

We both took Monday off which made the 8 hour drive home more tolerable.  I really turned out to be a great weekend.  I am glad I went!

Cold Day in Georgia

Southeastern Racing Championship Series, round 2, Conyers, Ga.  April 8, 2018.

The week leading up to this race all my markers had been showing up low.  Weight was up a little and HRV4 was on the low side.  Training rides had seemed harder than usual, plus my race bike had an issue with the free hub (again) and I wasn't positive it was going to be fixed by the time we left.

All that noise combined with a sketchy weather forecast may have had an influence on my pre race attitude.

But really all that stuff is just wasted energy.  Thoughts and worry about things that are out of my control or really have no bearing on a Sunday race.  I know better but still.....

Practice Lap

It was flooding when we left Havana.  The bike had been fixed and I'd picked it up Friday.  The forecast was still calling for rain in Conyers plus temps in the mid 40's.  The further north we drove the less it rained.  Finally arriving at the track to perfect conditions.

Blake had gotten there ahead of us and had already taken a lap.  I suited up and did 2 laps, because, well, it was just too much fun.  The OMTP had warned me to not ride over an hour and just do a couple of openers but I just couldn't resist that second time around.  This trail has two rather long (for a Florida boy) hills and I admit even at an easy pace I could feel it.

Once again we had dinner at Chili's and found our hotel after wards.  Ah, the hotel.  It wasn't their fault that the idiot in the room next to mine cranked up the TV and NEVER TURNED IT OFF!  I called the front desk at 3 am, they called the room and got no answer.  When we checked out at 8 in the morning it was still blaring.  I love my fellow man.

Race Day

The predicted rain never did materialize and we awoke to a cloudy, blustery day, with temps in the upper 40's.

Blake's race went okay other than a mysterious shifting issue the first two of four laps.  Two guys got off the front and put a pretty big gap on the group Blake was in.  He faded back to 4th but managed to beat his competition in the series.

I had 7 in my class with only one that I recognized (Stan).  The start straight was long with a small hill at the end before it turned into single track.  I hammered as long as my old lungs could stand it and  got to the trail in first with Stan right on my wheel. 

But see, I didn't know it was Stan.  I thought it was one of the other riders I didn't know.  He stayed on my wheel and wouldn't answer when I tried to talk to him.  "Who is this guy?"  I thought, "Why is he being so serious?"

When we got to the first hill I managed to put a couple of Clydesdale's between us on the climb, then I shifted at the top and got out of Stan's sight.  Still not sure it was Stan at this point, I didn't want to look back till we went through the start/finish.  I didn't see anyone in my class close to me.

So, 3/4 of the way through the second lap after passing what must have been 10 riders in other classes, I get behind this dude.  

"Rider back" I yell.  He doesn't move over.  I wait then:
"Rider back, not in your class"  nothing.
So I try to go around him, he cuts me off.
"Anytime you get an opening I'd appreciate it, how about right up here?" 
He stays in the middle of the trail and says "If you want around you have to pass me"
"Bullshit!  I'm not in your class!" then I think I called him an asshole.  Then he moved over.
"Why didn't you say that before?"
"I DID!"

Anyhoo, I'm pretty sure he tattled to the promoter about me, I saw him shaking his head at the finish.  Poor sportsmanship on my part.  I shouldn't cuss people.  But damn it there's a race going on and it's hard not get amped up.  I won my class then almost froze waiting for podiums.

This race was weird.  I never felt "right".  Maybe tired?  Just an off day?  The cold?  Looking back I expended too much energy on things that didn't matter.  I should have just relaxed and enjoyed the day.

I Blew Up a Crew Ride

Once again the OMTP came in contact with a crew ride.  Again a little alcohol started things off Friday evening.  Texting after I've had a few rarely results in a cohesive ride the next day.  Much to my surprise quite a few folks chimed in for what I'd billed as a Big East Loop.  I guess that was misleading since I had really planned to do a one hour race effort on the Tom Brown, Loblolly, Piney Z and Cadillac section, just using the loop to get down there and back.  Anyhoo.

Before we even got to the meeting point at Higher Ground Lil Ball was out, seems he just woke up, but Tim, Jim (shock), Silk (another shock), Catman, Dr. Sworks, and Postman were waiting for Blake and I when we pulled in.

Things Start to Unravel

Catman yells "Where're we going Norman?".

"Blairstone"

"Okay, turn on the gas line"

That was how it began.  I didn't explain my plan.  It got even more unorganized when it was every man for himself while we crossed four lane highways.  We looked like squirrels dodging cars.  There was a slight regroup at the bottom of Gun Range but I had to pee so everybody got ahead.  That was the last I saw of the group until I flatted and had to call Blake for a tool.

I flatted because I had to move off the trail for a bird watcher who refused to move over even a foot, picking up an old piece of fence in my rear tire.  The hole refused to seal and it was then I discovered I had left my multi tool at the truck.  Rookie move.

Blake, Postman, Jim, Dr. Sworks, and Catman came to my aid and some of us rolled back to Higher Ground together once I put in a tube (or rather Blake did it for me).

Sad

I am disappointed I didn't plan better, even though I got the prescribed ride in I missed some banter time with folks I don't see very often.  Damn I'm starting to sound like Apebike.  The ride was fun none the less.

ANF

"Weather pretty enough to raise the dead."  Catman came out with that, fitting since it was Easter Sunday.  And wow was it perfect.  The forest was green with ferns in the areas that had recently been burned.  I love this loop and went harder than the OMTP called for but it was too much fun to resist.

In the end it was a great three day weekend.  Once again I got to ride with my son, plus some people who have been non riders for a while.  The Lovely Wife and I topped it off with margaritas and pasta Sunday evening.  Work was hard to face Monday.

Racing My Bike

March 10 and 11

GSC #1 time trial in Macon Ga. went off under perfect conditions.  The course was dry (which turned out to be a good thing) and fun.  Not a big turnout with about 50 riders total.  I had a hard time getting going because we sit in line for so long. I still beat all the 50+ sport riders and all 3 guys in my class.  Blake got 3rd overall which made him smile, second in his class.  This is his first time in the cat 1's and I'm proud of him.

Over night a storm moved in bringing light rain and cooler temps.  Fortunately the trail handles rain well and even though the roots were slick in spots it wasn't a big problem.

Blake went off in the 930 wave, starting about 5 out of 8, but moving up on the last lap to 3 overall and second in his class.

I didn't have much competition.  I had Stan on my wheel until the first tight section of single track then I never saw him again.  So I spent my time picking off Juniors, Clydesdale's, and even a few 50 + guys.  Eventually finishing 6 minutes up on Stan.

I only struggled with one short climb with a root section at the top.  I just couldn't make myself pedal through it.  All in my head I know but frustrating none the less.

At awards it started raining heavier and got colder.  We hit a Chipotle on the way home and put a hurt on some burritos.  We even got home in time to watch the women's UCI MTB race.  Good times.

San Destin

The Lovely Wife and I spent a couple of nights here since she was on spring break.  Not really my cup of tea but I enjoyed the change of scenery.  Enough about that.

March 25 and 26

Hailes Trail, Newberry, Gainesville, SERC #1, whatever you want to call it.  Lots of steep ups and downs, rocky in spots, a hard place to like.  Saturday practice had me in a bit of a funk.  I just can't stay with the short steep stuff.  I bail really before I have to.  I tried to stay focused on the stuff I can do and just let the other happen.  A cold beer at Chili's help my attitude.

Race day was perfect weather.  60 and a light breeze, it had rained earlier in the week so the trail was as good as it gets. 

Blake got a good start, running 4 in the elites which was the 19-39 and the 40-49 cat ones combined.  I think there was 20 all total.  On the second lap he said his back brake was fading.  He still managed 3 in class and I think 4 overall.  His training and diet are really allowing him to improve.  He just has so much going on with school and just life I hope he doesn't burn himself out.  He has applied for internships in Colorado and California.  I can feel him getting away.  I know that's what is supposed to happen but it doesn't mean it's easy.

There were 6 in my class, I didn't recognize any of them.  Someone asked if David Norman was here.  I raised my hand and a collective sigh went up from a couple of guys.  One congratulated me on my SERC sweep last year, making me feel very uncomfortable.  Another said he'd be glad just to hold my wheel for a couple of corners.  Then the guy next to me tells me he hasn't pre ridden the course.  Really?

Anyhoo, one of the guys got the jump on me at the start.  I had scoped out a line to the outside on the approach to the first turn that no one was using.  I just moved over and sprinted to the turn, passing him on the outside.  By the time I reached the bottom of the first hill I couldn't see anyone behind me.  As it turned out I shouldn't have worried about the steep climbs.  There was somebody from another class on every one I came up to.  I just ran them, mostly it was faster than they were able to ride up them.

Once I decided to just run them I was able to just put my head down and ride the rest of the course, focusing on just the trail in front of me.  And just like Macon I played the game of catch the rider in front.  I had a good ride and was well into my cool down when second place came in.

Third place didn't show up till later.

So back to my internal debate on my class choice.  So far I am definitely in better shape than the guys I've raced with.  Also better prepared.  I saw the third place finisher riding one of the climbs I ran when we were taking a practice lap Saturday.  So what does that mean?  One dude on the line said he hadn't even pre ridden the course.  Another was on a 10 year old 26".  So beating some of these guys isn't saying much. 

When you could move into another age class didn't you?  If you finished mid pack in 40 sport and turned 50 would you stay in 40 just for giggles?

I keep hoping someone will show up.  There are some guys in 50 sport or expert who have to be getting close to 60.  Where will they go?  Terry Berger (Gone Riding owner) says they need a class just for me.  Why should I stay with guys 10+ years younger than me when nobody else has to?

I am super fortunate to be able to (and want to) do this stuff.  It's all for fun.  In the end nobody else cares who I race against or how I do.

Some Downs, Some Ups

I had to put my old dog Sandy down a week ago Friday.  It had been coming for a long time, still didn't make it easy.  We got her when Blake was in first grade so she'd been with us for 15 years.  She was a sweet dog and will be missed.

Still I will admit to a certain sense of relief.  She had been deaf for the past 5 years and had had hip problems for the past year.  I would look out in the garage every morning to see if she was still alive.  A gentleman I used to bird hunt with told me once "If you're gonna be a dog man you'll have to put a few down in your life".  This was number two, I'm not sure I can do it again.  So we'll spend a while dog free and see how that goes.

Anyhoo, so much for the downs.  On the up side Blake came home for his spring break and we got to ride the Dirty Pecan together.  Rumors of 500 riders showing up had me wanting to be anti social and roll out early.  Blake was okay with that as he had a certain wattage he wanted to do for 3.5 hours and being around 500 bobos would make that difficult.  Turns out there wasn't near 500 but we had already made our plans.

I soon discovered that holding a certain wattage was quite a bit different from holding a heart rate.  At first it felt easy, but as we got into the hills I discovered that you pedaled just as hard going down as you did going up.  Every time we crested a hill Blake would go "click, click, click" on the gears.  I soon worked up a little hate for that sound.  He dropped me not long after the water stop in Boston but couldn't leave me since he had forgotten to download the route (snicker).

What a great day though.  I'm very fortunate to be able to do these things with my son.

Race

This weekend is the start of the Georgia Series.  Rain is in the forecast so I'm having to work to stay positive.  My training is going good so far.  Training Peaks shows my fitness is on the rise and I'm looking forward to the time trial Saturday and the XC Sunday.  I can't believe it's race season again, once again I sooooo happy to be able to do these things.  Let's see how this goes.

Brown House

There used to be a brown house sitting here.  I have no idea what it was ever used for.  This is now a parking spot for moto heads using the ANF, it's right next to the bike path along side Silver Lake Rd.  I wonder how many people remember it being there?  Back when I was riding moto it was common to meet "at brown house" for a ride.  We even had monthly club hare scrambles just down the road.

Testing, Testing

I unloaded the clay bike at Trout Pond trail head a couple of weekends ago to do my LT test.  The test itself isn't much fun but I do enjoy the ride down to Bloxham Cutoff and back.

Oh yea, they call that trail the GF&A.  It used to be a railroad when Helen was an active town.  Now it's just good spot to listen to the wind blow.

After completing the test I rolled back up to the pond and sat on the dock for a while.  

I love days like these.

A Trend?

I skipped the Urban Gorilla ride this past Sunday.  Just as I had bowed out on a group clay ride Saturday.  I did go with a group on a MTB ride instead of the clay ride, so that was kind of sociable.

I am beginning to see a trend.  Less group rides, more time on the bike alone.  I could use some more friends but you wouldn't know it by the way I avoid people.

Anyhoo, I'm in the first week of Build, Peak, Race.  Since the OMTP is not very flexible it doesn't yield itself to social rides (see above) but I do enjoy my solitary time at Forest Meadows.  Zone 4 and zone 5 intervals coming up from the lake on a cold winter afternoon makes me smile.  It really is a perfect place to ride.  Especially with Overstreet right across the street.  Throw in the trails that are orange and it gets even better.

I have managed to get a little more comfortable with Red Bug clockwise.  This route includes the rock climb, rooty route, and the climb after the long bridge.  All of these challenge me in some way.  My goal is to get really comfortable with these sections and be able to ride them with confidence.

Our group MTB ride on Saturday took place in the forest.  Munson and Gold Mine were in perfect shape.  Gold Mine is my second favorite trail system.  I really appreciate the woods elf that takes care of it.  After hunting season I'll hit the trails to the south of 305, maybe get in some 40 mile days.  We had a good group and I enjoyed the company.

For some reason my weight is up 2 pounds over my average for the past couple of weeks.  I don't think I've changed my eating patterns.  I wonder what's going on.

I was looking at the pictures of the 60+ class at cross nats last week.  Damn those guys look fit.  I have something to aspire to.  I wonder if they eat the whole bowl of chips at the Mexican restaurant?  Not that I do.

A Bad Idea

I am circling around the idea of a dual sport motorcycle.  Big Jim started this fantasy while we were eating oysters and drinking beer (something else those 60+ guys don't do).  I need one like I need a hole in the head...... but.  When would I ride it?  Cycling takes up so much of my time.  Still, it intrigues me.

Longer Days

Finally getting daylight back for my evening rides.  I don't even take the light with me anymore.  I need to work in some clay rides to get my butt used to 5 hours saddle time since the Dirty Pecan is coming up in a few weeks.

Older

Yep, in a few weeks I'll turn 62.  I was supposed to be retiring with a huge pension right about now.  My how things changed.  No complaints though.  I'm just damn glad to be here.

Group Rides vs The OMTP

After wimping out on my Thursday workout because of the cold I rescheduled it for Friday.  5/8 minute zone 4 intervals felt good, but left me a little tired Saturday.  Dr. Sworks and Catman agreed to ride with me Saturday.  The Doc is still rehabbing so we stayed on multi use and kept a moderate pace.

Catman peeled off but bumped into Postman and they both found me after Doc went home.  It was then the pace went up and so did the single track.  I was working hard and they were talking.  Not quite the 2.5 hours the plan called for but close enough.

Sunday brought word of a group ride with the promise of pizza and brews afterward.  Once again not what the plan called for.  I was already tired but felt like I could work a good effort into the ride by starting early and maybe riding longer.  I had forgotten how easily people who don't ride often tire out.  Look, I get it.  Just two years ago I was rehabbing and wasn't able to ride long without stopping, so I know how it feels.

This is where I struggle with a training plan vs just riding my bike.  I did manage to ride 3 hours, which is what the plan called for.  However, it took over 4 hours to get that 3 hours in.  I enjoyed the fellowship of the group ride, they are more talented than I will ever be.  I liked watching them have fun on their bikes.  But, combine the erratic pace with what some would call a questionable recovery strategy and I worry I may have thrown away a hard training block.  Should I worry?  I mean really, it's just the 60 plus class.  That's not it though.  I enjoy the process and I think I let the process down.

Anyhoo, it was still a good day on the bike.  The beer was cold and the pizza tasty.  In the grand scheme of things having fun with friends will be more important than a training day (?).  The group rides don't come very often anymore.  So I guess I should just chill the hell out?  On the other hand I enjoy finishing a hard training block also.

If this is all I have to worry about everything must be going pretty good huh?