Shiloh's Blog (30)

I've had a number of people tell me they don't race Sea Otter because its not a "real MTB course."  Its true, the riding is not very technical, Its an expensive race to attend, they don't provide as much for the athletes as some smaller local races.  But it's 40 miles and it offers the toughest competition I've found this close to home. 

      After my Eldridge time trail and NVDC I knew I was in the same shape I have been in the last 2 years. So I was expecting a top ten finish.…

Continue

Thank god the sun was shining this year.  I was about in about the middle of the pack after the first hike a bike. along the lake I watched a grout of about 15 drop riders who were trying to draft. I hung on a few wheels along that but a group of about 10 broke away as I struggled to bridge the gaps.  I passed one more guy through the whoops and yoyoed off the back of Gaberaham Lincoln throughout the single track.  I got passed two more times on the loose sandy down hill but they both crashed… Continue

I've added a new type of racing to my resume. I've done down hill, cross country, dual slalom, and now I've got some BMX under my belt. the race is a series of elmination races. Each race is about a 50 second sprint over jumps around berms. when the jumps are to big for you, you can treat it like a giant pump track. It's a gated start with up to eight racers at a time. I was consistently a full wheel length behind the other racers right out of the gate. I've gotta work on my gate starts. On the… Continue

This is one of my favorite raced courses. Its nothing but steep loose climbs and decents with stair like drop offs with lots of sharp rocks. I got to the start line a little late and had to stand in the grass along with a few others (I gotta remember to show up early to get a good starting position). I hammered my way through the dusty fire road start and ended up somewhere just behind mid pack when we hit the singletrack. about half way through the first lap one of those rocks punched a hole… Continue

I was feeling good and stoked for the hometown race, but this was not going to be my day. At the start line I stood with people who seemed to be in my class, but when Wyro said go some people around me didn't move and others moved about four feet then stopped leaving me to push my way through. I was in last place. I caught the back end of the main field and passed a few people at Dead Heffer. I was feeling good and knew I would be dusting fools before the end of the race. On the climb up B-17 I… Continue

The thursday before sea otter I came down with a bit of a cold. It seems I've been sick more times this year than I've been in the last three years. Anyways, I loaded up on vitamin c and some EAS super caffeine pre race fuel (tastes terrible) and gave it all I had. I watched a group of about ten guys ride away form me as we went down the first fire road section. I didn't have the power to bridge the gap so I decided to sit tight In a group of four guys. We traded places a few times, some guys… Continue

I was feeling good before this race so was determined not to let the cold, rain, and mud dampen my spirit. A group of about 5 or 6 guys got off the front before the single track but i was going at the best pace I could hold. Carl and traded places a few times before the final climb back to the airport when i had to walk up a steep slick section. He turned on the power and I didn't see him again until we were enjoying the warmth of Mike's super van. I have never done so much drifting in one ride… Continue

I got out friday morning and did my time trial. It was raining and there was a tree down about half way up (i hold Carl responsible for the tree) but it looks as though i'vestill got a ways to go with my training. 42min 12sec.

I've had a bad cold I'll post my time later this week when I'm feeling better. we are starting at the bottom of fish grade right?

ya'll best get out and ride before the weather turns crappy again.