Is This A Logo??

Is This A Logo??

Friday 29 September 2017

Fall Epic 8 Hour MTB Race - The Review...really

So, when we last left our hero...OK...likely more quasi-villian...

Anyways...I eventually got registered for the Fall 8...solo single speed.  Packed the truck, and Saturday headed up to Hardwood Hills north of Barrie.  Fig joined me for the ride...helped to keep me awake (especially for the drive home later in the day!!).

We get to Hardwood Ski & Bike, and pull up next to Team Colin's pit.  Colin had been questioning me all week about soloing an 8 hour.  Yup...this was his first 8 hour solo.  He was a tad concerned...but had no need to be.  Just go ride your bike for 8 hours.  Fun!!

I am sure he will soon write a blog about it.  (By the time you get to read this his blog post will be up...)  You will be able to find it at TeamColinBlog.  Don't worry it won't be small...it will be as Epic as the race...at least a kazillion words.  (Yes, kazillion is a thing...it is double a bazookillion...)  Colin's blogs are just like him...fun and full of larger than life personality!  In fact, here is a pic of him working on it...



  



Anyways...we go get registered...while talking to as many friends as possible along the way.

I get the bike ready...




I get the tent and pit set up...





Fig helped...





I did a super-heavy tape job on the thumb to give it the best chance to handle the next 8 hours on the bike....without bending in the wrong direction.

Then we headed down to the start paddock...where I tried to find a nicely shaded spot.  I did...trouble was, it was closer to the front than where I planned to start from.  I did not plan to really push the limits this race.  I was not in top form, and I was intent on not re-injuring the thumb...or ribs.  So, as I looked around at all the young, lean racers surrounding me, I kind of felt like this guy...






There were about 8000 racers all lined up behind me...ya...they'd all be passing me.

Anyways....at 10am sharp...we were off.  Into the heat (it was already near plus 40 with the humidity factor), the hills, the roots, rocks, double track and twisty single track....for the next 8 hours.

Easing into the first lap...and somewhere in the singletrack, there was Ted!  Ted of ApexRacePhotography, out there capturing pics of all the action.  I don't think I had seen Ted since the 24 hour race in June.  Ted and his crew got some great pics...as they always do.  If they can make me look good...they got some serious photo mojo goin' on!!

Here are a few of Apex's pics of moi...







For more pics of the race from Apex, click on the magic logo...




Actually...if you click on the magic logo, and hit plate number 79, you will see some great action shots of one of the nicest guys, and best mountain bikers I know surviving a grand fail.  Sorry Keith...  Lesson....never trust a photographer, other than to get all the action shots possible.

Some other highlights of the race for me...

JennKenn of Fatboy Nation cheering every lap.  Seriously, every lap!  Super motivational!  Thank you Jenn!  (As much motivation as possible required in the Saharan heat wave!)

Passed a couple of times by a specific team rider...the first time coming up behind me announcing, "Hey Solo....good to see you back at it!!" with a friendly pat on the back.  It was our own Sean Ruppel of SuperflyRacing!  Thank you Sean for the acknowledgement!

Passed by a team rider who announced his approach, very loudly, with, "Thumbs!!  Is that you, Thumbs!!??  About time you get back at it!!  Have a great race Riot!!"  It was the GreatCanadianSagle finishing off a very successful season (Having destroyed the O'Cups and Leadville! )  Thanks for the encouragement Ian!!

Playing tag out there with Raf, as we passed each other back and forth during the day...I was so groggy at one point I almost didn't notice...

Serious.  Ya that guy, Serious.  Also racing Solo Singlespeed...passed me.  One of the Solo Singlespeeders who would actually be in my age category, I tried to hang with him for the lap...and I did, for a while, even passed him on that long, double track hill in the middle of the course.  But I think he was rope-a-doping me...he eventually passed me back, and dropped me like a hot tomahawk.  He would beat my by one lap.  Great racing, Tom!

PinoyPedalPushers.  A group with such passion for this sport!!  They had at least 6 teams in this race...maybe more!!  A some of the friendliest people you will meet.  (Missed you there Robert!)  Their cheers at the start line were a encouraging push on every lap.  They even got a couple of pics for me...




One of the PPP team members came up behind me on a bit of tight, twisty singletrack, announcing he was there ready to pass when possible.  He soon asked again, "Can I get in, please?!"  I responded, "Yes, yes, as soon as I can!"  But, it must have come out much more aggressive than I intended...as he started apologizing immediately, so I apologized back.  As the course opened up enough for me to let him through we were still apologizing to each other.  It must have sounded like a rather Canadian debate...  Very sorry sir...I hope you had a great race!!  Always look forward to saying 'Hi' to the PinoyPedalPushers!!

I enjoyed the 'tech features' interspersed throughout the race.

The fast zippiness flowing through Coffee Run.

The fun of the Joyride section, would have been a good place for a photog.  However, I wish they had left the little jump in, leading into the section.

Hollering coming through the tunnel...alerting the nobody manning my solo pit that I was coming.  (Lois was absent, she was home taking care of sick cats...missed sharing the experience with her, although I am not sure she missed it so much.)

The sand of the Lookout corner...saw a few folks dump it there into the beach.




The energy suckage of the hill out of the solo pits...a nasty bit on the single speed...
There was a similarly nasty hill mid course...the one where I passed serious...(Sorry Tom, I had to mention that again...)

The fun of the BMX downhill loop to the finish ... where NeilTheIrish found the ideal spot for pic taking for Apex...




The watermelon through the transition zone...helped to beat the heat...

Missed Oggie, SingleSpeedSarah, dskunk, and NewfieSteve at this one.
Also...missed seeing Giant in the Solo cat...he was racing on a team!

I'm glad I had my pump on me...ended up loaning it out to two different people out on the course.  It may have even resulted in saving a podium spot for one team.  At least my pump made it on the podium.

Positive thoughts out to the young girl who was downed in the rooty section, being tended to by a group of folks including Spak, and (I think it was Todd??).  Great to see fellow MTBers looking out for each other.

In the end I got 12 laps in.  Not bad for the conditions, I guess.  That put me in 7th for Solo Singlespeed...




Solo Singlespeed is so competetive, given that there is no age category.  With the same effort on the same bike, I would have come in 4th in my age category, just behind Hal...who is a machine on any bike!  However, I enjoy the competition, and love riding the singlespeed for many reasons...so I will likely stay to the SS cat in the future.

And then there is AdamKingOfTheHill...16 laps...solo!!!  How is that even a thing??  Amazing!!  He beat most of the teams out there...alone!!  That is some impressive athletics, man!!

Me...I will shoot for 13 next time...OK...maybe even 14.  Maybe reach to keep up to serious, dskunk, or Sarah...worthy stretch goals to shoot for.

So...another excellent event promoted by PulseRacing....well done Glenn and team!!  Congrats to all competitors...especially podium finishers!

What will be next for me...I'm not even sure...just ride a bike...

Stay posted!


Yes...relax...it's over!!




Wednesday 27 September 2017

Fall Epic 8 Hour MTB Race 2017 - The Review Preview

So...last week upon much consideration...regarding the state of my thumb...and my fitness, having not really trained for the previous 10 weeks while the thumb was healing...I registered one day before the deadline for the Fall Epic 8, sponsored by Pulse Racing, taking place at Hardwood Ski & Bike just north of Barrie.  I was in...Solo Single Speed...

This was Tuesday...NewfieSteve had Wednesday off...and suggested we go to Hardwood; a chance to preride the course, and of course hit some of the other trails Hardwood offers up.  So, Wednesday, off we went...



Photo Cred: Selfie (that means me...)


So, after riding a couple of laps of the course (and a couple more hours of the variety of trails Hardwood provides), I learnded a couple of things (proper grammar was not one of them).



Photo Cred: ApexRacePhotography


I am not in race shape (as the 10-ish extra pounds I am carrying around would attest to) so I wouldn't be a contender (I am not Rocky), but I could carry a modestly decent pace...enough to push myself for 8 hours of fun/torture on race day.


Photo Cred: ApexRacePhotography


The course was fun!  (Although they did not include the little rock jump that lead into the Joy Ride section that helped weed the mtb-ers from the roadies...).  My current 32x19 gearing was perfect...for 5 or 8 laps...in the later laps I think it would have been too much.  There were a couple of hills (the one after the solo pits...and one longer double track climb mid-lap) that were just enough that at 32x19 would leave me dragged out for the rest of the course...especially later in the race.  So, I would play it safe and go with 32x20 for the race.






And tailgating post ride is always a good idea...





Anyways....on Tuesday last week....this was the confirmation list...




By race day there would be 5 more...including some of  stiffest competition around...(that means all fast guys!).

So...my plan was just to go ride my ride.  Enjoy 8 hours riding my mountain bike...in a Saharan style heat wave....at a venue with the word 'Hills' in its name...

The end...

Ya, sorry....a two parter.  The meat will come...tomorrow??  Ah, one day soon...very soon.

Stay posted!!

(It's OK...my cat thinks I'm an idiot too...)






Thursday 21 September 2017

Fall Epic 8 - Here we come!

So...now locked in...







Exactly, the Fall Epic 8 Hours at Hardwood Hills presented by Pulse Racing.  In, for better or worse.

This is my first race since breaking my thumb.  The thumb will be heavily taped; the bone is healed but the ligament needs surgical repair.  I have been riding, but not really training...so it will be interesting to see how this goes.

Headed to Hardwood yesterday with NewfieSteve, to check out the course...




It's basically a series on long, steady, grindy climbs...whether twisty single track, or wide open double track.  I guess it's called Hardwood Hills for a reason.  A taller gear will be fine for the first few laps or so...but I think will be too much for this old cat as the day wears on...so...   It's always a challenge to know what the 'right' gearing is...as I said to NewfieSteve, "There's never a right gear."  Anyways, we are going to make this Epic 8 epic!!  (Can I say 'epic' enough in one post???)





There's a few roots, some tight corners, and a couple of obstacles but nothing too overly technical...so it should just be a fun ride!  An opportunity to watch all of my friends pass me for 8 hours!  And, going to share my pit with TeamColin as he kills his first Solo 8 Hour.  It really is going to be Epic!!

Anyways, the recon mission went well.  No crashes, the thumb survived...and Steve provided some epic tailgate recovery!


I know...two pics of the recovery...
but that's the best part!


So, anyways, here we go!
Just a short post to warn you...and prepare for next weeks post(s).  They gotta be epic report(s), to properly review this race!!

So...
Stay posted!

Hey...didn't say 'epic' this time!!  D'oh!!!

Thursday 14 September 2017

Thumbs Away

So...this being injured thing means that I haven't been racing...which makes it a little tough to do race reports.  And although Lois thinks I am her Superman, and Fig looks at me in a way I am not totally comfortable with, I really am not that exciting that I can make worthy stuff up.  No Steven King here...although I did see this the other day...



Scarier than Oggie...

What is scary, is how the 'healed' thumb is looking.  The cast is now off and the bone is healed but...





Apparently the ligament holding the knuckle together is gone...meaning the thumb bends awkwardly when it isn't supposed to...





So I have been on the bike...cuz I don't run...not well anyways...





And I don't race cross...but maybe I should...





So I was initially road riding with the cast on, to try to stay in a bit of shape (other than round)...but this last week the cast came off...so I have been mountain biking again...finally!!

However, because of the missing ligament, the thumb is wonky, so mtb-ing requires a splint to keep the joint in place...but the splint needs to be heavily modified, which I am not so creative to do...





Or heavily taped, which I am able to do and have been doing...so far, successfully.  So far, I have been sticking to mostly calmer, non-technical trails, but as I get more confident in the thumb and my taping ability, I will progress to attempting more challenging trails.  There are plenty of local technical options...the ultimate goal would be to be able to keep up to the BicycleWorks crew on our local trials.

Anyways...Lois is glad that I am back on the mountain bike...cuz she was getting antsy about the classy ladies I was meeting on road rides...





And then there is the option of reconstructive surgery to repair the thumb during the off-season (is there an off season any more???).  Anyways...that is an option I am seriously considering...although it means another 8 weeks...it's good to have choices...





For now, the plan is to be able to take part in a couple of the late season races...so look out...I may just be the guy who is in your way in one of the upcoming events...

Perhaps the Fall 8 Hour??

Stay posted!



Happy Newfie Birthday!!




Thursday 7 September 2017

Gotcha!!

Yeah, I guess I took a bit of a holiday from posting last week...and missed a few events.  Apologies...

Brief reviews, (no, nothing to do with gotch)...


Superfly Racing summed up the OCup season with the Provincial's at Sir Sam's Ski & Bike...

Congrats to TrueGrit Race Team member Oscar (The Mexican) 
on taking the Junior's Provincial Jersey!!




And our local Kelso MTB weekly race series summed up the season last week...


TrueGritters, the SethClan (okay...Seth and Grant), 
dominated the Kelso race series this year!!




And this past weekend SubstanceProjects summed up (lots of summing going on here...is the end of the season coming or something???) their XCMarathon MTB race series with an always tough marathon race The Kingston Trophy.

TeamColin wrote an always entertaining summary of the race...read it here.

And TeamVanGo, always great supporters of Dan's (SubstanceProjects) races, also wrote a race review.  Read it here.

I am looking forward to getting back at the racing...hopefully before the season is totally over.  (Mostly cuz I really miss ApexTed).

The broken thumb is healing...slowly.  I take the cast off occasionally to rehab it.



I don't know if the pic does it justice but it does look rather nasty...but could be worse...



Anyways...its been 7 weeks.  And although the first 2 weeks were completely off bike...I have since been on a roadbike, trying to keep some semblance of riding 'shape'...

And have been easing into some MTB...first on a suspension mtb...then on a 29+ fatboy...finally on a rigid SS.  So far so good!  However...I am seriously not in mountain bike shape...so no expectations of podiums...just hope to finish in one piece.  Perhaps in a week...or two...

In the meantime...I have just been enjoying riding for fun.  Kind of how buddy SteveS explains in his RideCycleSpin blog, here, where he discusses finding peace on the bike.  (well...lot's of promoting other blogs here...makes my drivel look better!  Thanks, guys!!).

Plus just enjoying riding with friends...

At Turkey Point with PowerPaul and NewfieSteve...





On the Fatboy29+



Where we may have forgotten a flipper for the post ride tailgate...and resorted to pulling a rotor off a bike...



And a fun, long (150km), windy Niagara road ride with PowerPaul, Giant, NewfieSteve, and Jaimie...that required multiple stops...just because...








Anyways...trying to stay in shape...and enjoying it.  And get back at a race or two before racing ends...

And before Cross starts...cuz I don't race cross...which is why I have a CX bike for sale...(sneaky gear change there, eh!)

A blinged out 2015 SWorks Crux...(yes, you can still add to an SWorks...).  58cm.  $3,450 obo...



Anyways...here's hoping I see you at a race soon!!

Thumbs up!
Stay posted!