HELLLLOOOO 2012!!!!!

Well, it's been a really crazy year, and cycling has taken a back seat since the 2010 season =(  HOWEVER, it is time to pull up my big boy pants and get back to business.  The 2012 season has OFFICIALLY begun, and I could not POSSIBLY be more psyched about being on 2 wheels!!!!!!!!!

I entered the Snake Creek Gap TT mountain bike race this past weekend on the spur of the moment, and decided to give myself a good flogging, HAHAHA!  Might as well start the season off with a gool 'ol fashioned sufferfest on the dirt.  The Snake is one of the largest (if not THE largest) mountain bike race in the Southeast, and for good reason.  The event runs like a well-oiled machine, the trail is BAD @SS, and everyone shows up for a good time.  I will try to make this 3-race series a tradition every year from now on...

I had heard horror stories about how EPIC this race can be, but fortunately the weather held out for us, and we were treated to dry conditions and 50+ degrees!  The conditions were PERFECT, and I would venture to say that the race has never seen better for the January edition.  The course has a fair amount of climbing, is mostly single track, and has more rocks than Yosemite!  I am a fan of FAST, FLOWY singletrack, and the Snake certainly had A LOT of that, but the rock gardens in the last 8 miles were RIDICULOUS!  But in a good kick you in the nuts sort of way ;)  The highlight of the race for me was the UNBELIEVABLY fast downhill sections during the first half of the ride.  Definitely some of the best I have ever had the opportunity to ride.  I will go back to the Snake just to hit some of those again, race or not!

But the race itself is purely a test of will.  I put the hammer down from the beginning, climbed hard, took huge risks, and was really flying by the halfway point.  When the rocks started getting serious, I was averaging 12.5mph and was on pace to ride about a 1:30...Then fatigue started to set in, the rocks started to attack my tires, wheels, pedals, cranks, brain, hands, wrists, shoulders, calves...basically kicking my @ss real good... I made the call with about 2 miles of really rocky section to go that I would probably break my bike, or break my body if I continued to RIDE, and started walking, carrying, pushing, and occasionally running with my bike for the last 2 miles of technical trail.  The way I justified it was simple.  1) already flying, I have time to spare. 2) I have not crashed, don't want to, don't need to, and that would suck right now.  3) My bike is still in one piece, and I want to keep it that way.  4) it is my first try at The Snake, and I can always try harder next time.  AND finally 5) my legs feel like they are ready to explode, and pedaling is not really working too well for me at the moment...walking it is...

Luckily, the last mile or so is all DOWNHILL, and mostly nice gravel, or a paved highway.  I was spun out in my 44x11 gear for the whole last bit, and couldn't wait for the finish.

My GPS said I completed the course in 1:46.36, but my official time was 1:47.51 (I did stop to put my glasses away, and checked my front tire pressure twice due to a slow leak).  So, I think that is a respectable time, but with a little fitness, I should be able to go a lot harder over the second half.  I'd like to go sub 1:40 the next time out...

My time was the fastest of the day for the 17 miler, and I think it is one of the fastest of all time out there, but...

My results don't technically count for a couple reasons.  I did the 17 mile route instead of the 34 miler since I have NO FITNESS...I would NOT have been able to finish the 34 miler...no way.  But I am registered for the 34 miler with the intention of being fit enough to be competetive in that race before the final show down in March (only your fastest time out of the 3 races counts, so you only NEED to do one of them, guess I'll put all my eggs into one basket). You can't compete in both categories, and since I ultimately want to vie for a podium spot in the big show, my results in the kiddie race will not count.  They don't even get mentioned on the website =(  But, come March, I'll be lining up for the WHOLE SHEEEGANG, and I'll be bringing my fitness with me!  Gonna be a SH*T SHOW for sure, HAAHAHA! 

Alright, more bloggin to follow in 2012.  HERE WE GO!!!

2011/2012 Cyclocross season recap

Recap of 2011/2012 cyclocross season:

I was really looking forward to racing some cross this past September, and I was hoping to make a run at the points jerseys in both the Pro12 and Singlespeed categories.  BUT, my schedule wasn't agreeable with the TBAR points race weekends, and mechanicals and red tape prevented me from starting and/or finishing enough of the races to have any shot at it this year (so my buddy Bert Hull was able to keep the Pro12 jersey in the Krystal/Warp9Bikes team this year! way to go Bert!).  Even though I didn'g get to have the season I was hoping for, I did manage a result or two...

1st place finishes = 4
2nd place finishes = 4
3rd place finishes = 2

Total races entered = 15

I had 5 DNF's (4 rolled tubulars, 1 flatted tubular, 1 seatpost malfuction, and 1 broken rear brake all contributed to DNF's or lower place finishes than would have been desired).

So, every race I finished I was in the top 3...bummer about mechanicals.

Cross is awesome becuase you don't have to train to go hard for a race that is an hour or less.  You've just gotta be willing to suffer for a little while ;0)  I love it, and I can't wait to have the opportunity to devote myself to a full season of cross to see what I can accomplish!