Bye Bye Summertime!

Ok...I've seriously neglected this blog over the past 3 months and many races have come and gone.  Since the last 12 HOT the following has happened:

- I participated in the last two Big Bear State races with 3rd place finishes
- Won the Expert overall at the Over the Hump 12 race summer series
- Raced the final Rim Nordic race
- Separated my shoulder with a Grade 3 AC separation
- Raced in the Specialized Invitational Finals at Bonelli Park with a week old injury

I will say that I am pretty burned out on XC racing this year and I'm glad the season is over.  With that being said, there is the upcoming 24 Hours of Adrenaline @ Hurkey Creek this weekend.  Didn't I just say the season was over?  It is, but this race is different.  A few months ago...in fact at the Idylwilld Spring Challenge, a couple of friends (Dirtbags and James) wanted to put a 4-man team together with the intention of winning.  I wasn't super excited about the race fees, but they wanted me on the team.  The difference maker was they wanted to race with the primary goal of raising money with Team Duke for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.  I've always wanted to do something like this so I couldn't refuse.  Please take a look at our Athlete Profile found to learn more about the race and our reason for helping.

http://www.teamduke.org/goto/Duke_Digglers

One of my favorite highlights of the summer had to be the Over the Hump series.  I never imagined that I would actually be competitive racing in an Open Expert category.  Although, I never did win a race, (came close 3 times) I had some pretty consistent finishes.  There were some great battles with Ryan Cox, Craig Hopps, Doug Andrews, and Griffith Vertican as we worked together to catch the leading groups.  I was even more ecstatic knowing that I could hang with some of the fast guys (Johnny 'O) and some of the pro's while posting a faster finishing time occasionally.  I really did have fun chasing Johnny and I made it a goal to beat him just once, but I alas I could not.  The closest I came was 13 seconds.  I do have to say that Johnny 'O is one of the coolest guys out there.  If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have had a chance to win the overall.  He decided to pull out of the series to prepare for the state finals 2 weeks before thus not having enough series points to win the overall.  Sure it's cool to win, but I'd much rather earn it.  He is one tough competitor.  The OTH series was an awesome experience and the organizers (Matt and John) did an incredible job week in and week out.  I'm sure next year will even be better....can't wait!

Thank you to Jason Zindroski (HighRev Photography), Jordan May, CHanson and various amateurs photographers for some killer shots:

Thanks to CHanson for the bike loaner.

This dork won the expert OTH series?

My "Organic cotton racing kit" also made it into MBA online...Sweet!

This summer also brought in some killer rides.

I did an awesome SART 50 miler super shuttle ride with James, JD, and Jake.  You know it's an epic ride when you all suffer from dehydration with 10 miles to go.  The shuttle route ain't for the faint of heart as it packs quite a punch, but it was so worth it.

JD, Jake, and I

Fixing a little 1x9 chain suck...stupid MRP guide

JD, James and I...surprised we had the energy to lift our arms.

Recovering from super "bonk"

I've also been doing some more road rides (still saving for a road bike). I've demo'd a couple from Rock 'N Road as well as borrow a couple from friends. Once again CHanson loaned me bike to use in the interim. During my road adventures I was able to ride the 7-sisters plus 1 for the first time. Those evil sisters are quite challenging, but the masochist in me loves it!


I made a couple trips out to AZ to visit my folks in Prescott Valley.  I was able to do some recon work for next year by riding the Whiskey 50 course.  This starts out fun but the 25 miles of an out and back fireroad is just brutal.  I got one day in Flagstaff despite the crappy season they had with fires, monsoons, and mudslides.  One of my favorite trails in Mt. Elden called Little Bear is completely gone.  The locals say that trail may never come back.  :-(  I also managed to separate my AC out in Prescott while riding the local trails.  Totally took me by surprise and those are the ones that seem to hurt.  I don't crash very often, but when I do...my body takes a beating.
 
 

Halfway point of the Whiskey 50

Pranqster at Diablo Burger in Flagstaff.  A must stop for good eats.

Drinking the pain away at Casa Bonita.

As for the State Finals race...well, I'm still pretty bummed out on my overall performance.  I was hoping to finish on the podium and a crappy 7th place won't do.  I only have myself to blame, but I was coming off a week old injury with my separated AC and CHanson's super bday celebration the night prior probably wasn't the best pre-race routine, but was well worth it.  I started out the race strong with a 17:45 min lap, but the blistering pace would be detrimental halfway through lap #3.  The combination of the heat and poor hydration the night before made things worse.  I wanted to DNF on my 4th lap, but I fought on and tried to pedal the 1x9 in bailout mode.  I need a 1x10 with a 36t cassette. That course was brutal with not much recovery time.  It's no fun getting beat by guys you have beaten all season long.  I hope next season I will see the upper steps with more hard work and training.  Congrats to the 2010 State Champs Allison, Steph, Dan and congrats to Justin for pulling the "gimp" card on me.  Can you gimp a gimp?

Garmin Connect Race Stats