April 2013 Blog Posts (9)

I had decided early on to adjust my focus toward longer events this season. My base season was increased from 3 to 4 months. I opted out of the first few high intensity short cross country races. Instead, I set my goals around later events such as the CA Triple Crown Stage Race (the three hardest double centuries in the State: Devil Mountain Double, Terrible Two and Alta Alpina), Boggs VIII 8hr, Tahoe Sierra 100 and High Cascades 100. 

The first up on this change of course was DMD.…

Had a great trip down south for the California Enduro Series. Ryan, Marco Osborne,  (team WTB rider) and I headed out Friday morning with a stuffed van and our big bikes.  Stage two of the California Enduro Series was down at the Dirt Club in Los Olivos, south of Pismo Beach. After 5 hours of driving we arrived at the venue and set up shop. All of us were looking to get as many practice runs on the trails as possible. 

The race featured 4 different segments that each rider rides…

So what's a Lemurian? People keep asking so I interneted it. It has something to do with a lost land under the sea in the Indian ocean.  But that's silly so I'm just gonna tell people it's a super rad bike race.  The race is one big 26 mile loop with two serious climbs sandwiching some lush flowing single track.

The mass start. I thought I had a good position, about five rows back.  The gun went off, things got crowded, I got by bars tangled for a second and when I looked ahead I saw…

This race is a Northern California classic; one big loop, lots of climbing and lots of relatively technical descending.  It usually draws a pretty fast regional field, pitting climbers versus descenders and rewarding those that can do both well.  Despite small course changes and varied conditions, no one has done it in under 2 hours.  I originally raced singlespeed here, then moved to the geared class.  Last year I finished second overall in just under 2:12, my fastest time till that point. …

The Sea Otter Classic in Monterey is the largest consumer bicycle show in the country.  It also serves as a major race event for many disciplines of cycling, including XC.  This year it was once again part of the Pro XCT series, which makes it the most competitive event that is this close to Marin.  I travelled down Friday morning for two days of racing.

I would be racing my Santa Cruz Highball at under 19 lbs.  I have been very happy with my XX1 1x11 drivetrain and I woulld be…

 Sunday was a great day of racing at the 20th anniversary of the NVDC. This was my second ever XC race, my first being the Cool race a month back. I am new to the Summit team and excited to be riding with my fellow team mates who are fast and fit. Jim, Shiloh, Ryan and I rode up together in the Summit Van and arrived at the venue early. We had a great setup right at the finish line with all the goods. My Jamis Dakota team with Sram 26-39 chainrings , 11-36 cassette and SID fork was the…

Sunday was the 20th year of the Napa Valley Dirt Classic.  This early season race always brings out a great crowd of NorCal racers, all eager to test their legs and race before Sea Otter.

I was the returning champion, having won last years race against a relatively weak field.  This year some fast guys were in town and the locals were fit and out in force.

Barry Wicks and Kris Sneddon, two national pros that race for Kona, were in the area training.  They had ridden the King's…

Yesterday was a perfect NorCal mountain bike racing day! The 20th anniversary of the Napa Dirt Classic at Pacific Union College in Angwin saw perfect weather with sun and high 70's. Dirt was good too-while a little dry and dusty, it was better than prior years mud.

My training has been pretty consistent and this is a big target race for me and the Summit team every year (Jim Hewett won the Pro class last year). Hoping for better results than the three flats dnf I had at my…

We got some of the best conditions I've seen for this race in the last couple of years and a lot of strong riders showed up to race.  

I got my usual bad start and was winded after riding the first hundred yards.  This is a race where it is important to get a good start, but you also have to be able to finish strong.  Going past the airport I could see that there were at least 20 riders ahead of me.  I convinced myself that they would all crack on the final climb.  

I slowly…