So 3 years later we meet again.  Hello old man.  I missed this writing process, it seems to have become a forgotten form with all the quick social media platforms.

Let's see, the last time we were together Blake had just graduated from UF.  He stayed with H2 for almost a year and right at the start of the virus they let him go.  Tough times.  He took a walk about touring the west and finally landed a job as a contractor with Leidos in Durham NC.  He contracted for a year and they just added him as a full time engineer this week.  He likes it up there, I miss him down here, but it's working out like it should.

The lovely Wife has been retired from teaching for a couple of years now.  It was killing her.  She substituted for a while until the virus hit then decided to wait till it passed.  You know how that's turning out.

I hired a cycling coach from CTC.  It's expensive and I can't really say it's been completely worth it.  I've enjoyed it, just not sure it's helping me that much.  I'm in it for another year then we'll see where we stand.

We have really been enjoying the van.  Great to take to the races.  Fun to just travel in.  Too many trips to list here.  We have a lot more trips planned in the coming year.  I expect to double our travel time once I retire.  

Speaking of retirement.  That's both scary and exciting at the same time.  I'm looking forward to it like a kid looks forward to summer vacation.  Wrong?  We'll see.

Fail

My favorite trail system.  It wasn't raining.  I felt good.  What could possibly go wrong.

GSC and SERC race, Winder Ga.  Fort Yargo State Park.  Cool and clear.  Saturday's practice lap went well.  The Lovely Wife didn't make the trip this time due to a stomach bug so I was solo.

Warm up on Sunday went good.  We had a big class with 11 50+ sports showing up.  At the whistle I did my planned one minute full gas off the line then settled into a race pace.  I was able to lead most of the first lap, getting passed by a local just before the scoring chicane.

Traffic was bad during that first lap with groups of 4 going much slower than I was.  I'd work hard to get a gap only to run into the back of these slower groups letting the chase group in my class catch back up.

Anyhoo, after getting passed by two I settled into third on the last lap, close behind second.  As we approached the first long up hill we got behind a slower rider, first and second got by quickly.  I knew we were going to cross a gas line with a metal bridge on the other side so I let the slower rider know I'd be going by on his right.  As soon as we cleared the trees I moved right, he didn't move, just accelerated.  Here's where I got stupider.  Instead of just backing off I tried to go around him right before the bridge, not picking up on the rear tire when it hit the metal edge.  Burp!

The tire didn't go completely flat, just squishy.  I pulled over, tried to hit it with CO2, wouldn't inflate.  See, I knew the valve core was sticking, had been all week.  But it wouldn't have made any difference because as I learned later, the inflator was out.  So I was screwed.  I could feel the tire wobble and squirm on every corner and bottom on every root.

I watched as my season went down the drain, all for the sake of a CO2 cartridge.  Finishing 8 out of 11.  I could only be upset with myself.

Not About Racing

Well, maybe just a little.  I skipped the race at Dauset the following weekend due to a major life event.  

Which was, Blake graduating from UF!  It was a moment I had been looking forward to ever since he told me he had been accepted.  I expected it to be more emotional but it went off quickly.  It was a challenge getting Mom at 87 into the Oconnell Center.  Tim (my brother) went also.  The Lovely Wife almost missed him walking across the stage trying to take a picture.  I was clapping and just caught a him for a brief moment, then it was over.

It seems like it was just yesterday we watched him pedal off after dropping him off at his dorm 5 years ago.  We had quite a few "talk him off the ledge" phone calls.  It wasn't easy for him by any means.

To say we are proud of him would be an understatement.  He has been great kid and has turned into a fine man.  He starts a job with H2 in Tallahassee in June.  It wasn't his first pick of places to live but it will turn out to be the best thing for him.  I'm looking forward to seeing where he goes in life.

I am truly a lucky man.

A Couple of Races

Madison Ga.

First time at this venue.  Rain was predicted for Sunday morning so I worried about that all week.  It only sprinkled and the trail was perfect.  Such a fun place.

Not knowing my competition I led into the woods at the start.  It was a touch slick in places so I kept the pace safe.  Second and Third passed me on the first road section so I got on the end of that train until second blew up near the finish of the first lap.

First and I had a great race, never more than a bike length apart.  He asked me on the last lap if I was tired so I felt like he was on the edge.  As we approached the finish I heard him click down a gear and I knew it was on.  I stayed seated and pushed hard, passing him with a bike length to spare for first.  I will admit to some antics as I crossed the line.  I was pumped.

Little did I know that I would slide from that lofty perch on the next two rounds.

Hells Trails

Ah the lovely lime rock crap that is Gatorback.  I've raced here since my first dirt bike race in 1974 and have grown to hate this place.  This MTB race was no different.  The course is hard enough as is but this time the promoter (who doesn't race anymore) put in a tricky off camber turn in the first section.  I fell trying to clean it in practice.  Just a scraped knee and pissed of was the end result.

On the bright side I was glad to see I could crash without breaking something.  Still, it put a damper on my race.  

The Race

Got off to a good start, hit the above mentioned corner, walked it, and was immediately in last place.  So fun.  I caught and passed a few eventually ending up 4 out of 7.  I had a problem with the steep short climbs which was kinda a surprise.  I've been working on my leg strength but it didn't seem to help.  

Conyers

One of my favorite courses of the series.  It was dry and perfect for the pre ride Saturday afternoon.  Not so much after the soaking thunderstorm Saturday night.

Eight of us line up in the 50+ sport class.  I of course am the eldest.  Two have just made the jump from 40 sport to our class so I've got 13 years on them.  Boy that's weird to type.

Off we go up the long muddy start straight, 4 of us bar to bar heading into the first section of single track.  I back off and end up in 6th.  We freight train most of the first lap, just trying to feel out how slick it is.  The real race starts on lap 2.

By this time first has blown up and fallen back, second has become first and put a gap in, and I'm dueling with 3 and 4.  We pass each other back and forth.  Sometimes I'm in second then back to fourth.  They are all gaping me on the two big climbs, I mean like 10-15 bike lengths by the time we get to the top.  I am fully gassed by the time we clean each hill.  

As we complete 3/4 of the last lap second attacks and manages to take 3rd with him.  I get caught behind a cat 1 women with no place to go around and they manage to pull away a little.  I catch back up to them on the last climb only to be dropped at the top.

I came out onto the open field leading into the finish, I could see 3rd but didn't have much hope of catching him.  Still I tried, missing his wheel by 10 seconds.  So fourth again.

I was unusually frustrated after this race.  I whined to The Lovely Wife and anyone else who would listen.  I am embarrassed by this lack of zen on my part.  I didn't leave anything out there so I should be satisfied.  But I'm not.

Maybe I was tired.  My HRV4T was low all week, telling me to take it easy, which of course, I did not.  So I'll recover this week and see how it goes in Tsali.  It's supposed to rain all weekend up there, oh joy.

Heartbroken or I'm Never Going to do this Again

I bought the Twin 6 steel gravel bike not long after I broke my hip.  The thinking was I'd just be a happy old cripple riding a touring pace at the back of the group.  It worked for a while.  Friends would wait on me.  The bike is comfortable and looks good.  But, it's heavy, really heavy.

So Now It's 2019

And I take the bait and decide to do the Heartbreaker.  It was my birthday weekend, we hadn't seen The Kid for a while, it might be the last time I get to do this with him, Dr. Sworks was going, and the Gators were playing basketball that night.  Oh, and it was 92 degrees. 

It is a pretty bike

"I'll just run it zone 2-3 for a training ride" I said to myself.  Yea, that didn't work out.  I would have been by myself all day.  Turns out it took zone 3-4 with an occasional trip to 5 just to stay in the back of the trailing group!  The soft sandy sections were hard but the bike handled them better than some.  I made it to about mile 58 out of 67 when the wheels came off.

Bonked

I had noticed I was running into middle zone 4 and not moving forward very fast.  My little group was leaving me behind.  I didn't want to eat, I knew the bonk was near.  I let them go and continued to plow into the warm headwinds along the paved roads leading back into Gainesville.  I was miserable.  I just wanted to be done.  I finally made it into town after taking a wrong turn, then cramping.  I had my magic cramp sauce with me but was unable to get the top off.  I was soooo done.

Anyhoo, I arrived back at the car and proceeded to have a class 5 hissy fit.

"This is the last one of these I'll ever ride!" among other thing I don't remember.

My Excuse

It is the bike.  Really.  The thing weights at least 28 lbs.  I know I'm in decent enough shape to ride with the group I was with while putting out that kind of effort.

Basketball

We went to the game.  Gators won.  I only cramped once.  Then it was off to dinner with The Kid.  The Lovely Wife drove home while I napped.

Sunday

Interestingly enough I felt great Sunday.  Tired sure, sore, yea, but good still.  And surprise surprise I am ready to do it again.  Just going to try a different bike this time.

As a P.S. I turned 63 today.  I am super grateful I can still do what I do.  I'm glad to still want to do it.  I know how it feels not to be able to do it and that sucks.  When you're at the bottom things don't look so good, but sometimes you just need to go there, you know, so the climb back up can feel so good.

In A Van Down By the River

We did something different a few weeks ago.  I rented a class B van from a local guy just to see if I'd like it.  I've had a crush on these things for a year now and I figured it was about time I figured out if it was something The Lovely Wife (TLW) and I would like.  Just picking it up turned out to be an adventure.

For starters the renter wasn't very well prepared for our arrival.  Seems the awing didn't work right, the generator wouldn't start, the low tire pressure light was on, and his wife had unplugged the shore power so the chassis batteries weren't fully charged.  Add all that to the fact we were under a tornado watch and it got a little tense.  TLW wanted to bail but I was hearing none of that.  I had taken the following week off and by gosh I was going camping.  I rolled out in a driving rain with my phone alert going off to seek shelter immediately.

On a positive note the van was clean.  I made it home in one piece and spent the next day getting familiar with the different systems.

The River

After the imprompt shower.  That's the river in the background

The next morning we headed to our first camp site reservation at Ochlocknee River State Park.  We arrived just in time for an afternoon rain shower.  I knew the awning didn't work right but I extended it anyway.  We set up chairs and watched it rain.  It was then I noticed water building up in the middle.  So I just pushed the awning up to let it drain, which it did, but it curled around the end and landed on TLW who rocketed up out of her chair with a very mad look on her face.  Fortunately I didn't laugh, at least not then.

Later that evening we discovered that the owner had left a quarter of a tank of gray water in the van.  Maybe the gauge wasn't working right but the tank filled up in the middle of TLW's shower. 

The campsite was right on the river with good privacy.  Really a beautiful place.  We hiked and biked, leaving around 10 the next morning headed to Gainesville to have lunch with the kid.

But first we had to perform our first tank dump.  All went well, no problems, and not near as bad as I envisioned it.

Salt Springs

The lake house my family used to own.

After lunch we headed to Salt Springs, getting there about 5.  The springs were deserted and the campground only half full.  Not as private as the river but still nice.  TLW didn't have any issues thank goodness and we finished up the day by a nice campfire.

We rode the bikes to a restaurant across the road for breakfast the next morning.  I had eaten here a lot in a previous life.  So with full bellies we made a driving tour of my old stomping grounds then headed for Ft. Clinch.

The Fort

We had a late lunch at a seafood restaurant on the way up.  This was something that worked well for us so we didn't need to cook or eat a big meal in the van.

This was by far the best park we visited.  With a long shore line just up the road from our camp and beautiful weather we were happy.

I did have an issue with cranking up the heat too fast and having the system shut down but was able to reset and get everything going again.  Watching old Star Trek on the TV was a treat.  The music system was something I didn't think we'd use but was pleasantly surprised how much we enjoyed it.

The next day we went for a long hike along the beach and through the trails, then met my brother and sister in law at the van.

We grabbed lunch on the way home at a great little place we'd have never been able to get a larger vehicle in.

Conclusion

I want one.  TLW was in by the time the trip was over.  Maybe not as in as me but still in.  It was very easy to drive, the beds were comfortable, the bathroom deal was doable, and the campgrounds were great.  We didn't try boondocking.  So I didn't get to run the generator.  I hear making the water and power last is a skill.  

It's a lot of money for something that will depreciate like crazy but I believe we will enjoy it.

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?