Lessons N Life

One of those life lessons that you need to learn is that there is always someone faster, stronger, or better on any given day. I have been searching for that day for a while now and finally found it. Not for myself, but for Logan. Over the last year or so, I have watched him dominate cycling events enough to see how he handles success. I want to know how he handles defeat.

Yesterday we cut the annual ski trip short to participate in the 2nd Short Track Series race in Charlotte. We got there and it was cold, clammy, and wet. There were a few kids warming up that I did not see the week before. Logan was confident, maybe too confident. He did not really warm up, drink, or eat good. He just wanted to show up.

Well the announcer says go and it is on. He is 2nd in the woods and second across the start finish on lap one. The new kid on a Litespeed is lighting it up. Logan is really struggling to stay on his wheel and they have a big gap on 3rd place (last weeks 2nd place). They come through the start/finish on lap 2 and it is about the same, but I notice that Logan is really struggling and it shows on his face. They still have a good 1 minute gap on 3rd. Then finishing the 3rd lap, Litespeed comes through, but there is no Logan. A few seconds go by and he crosses the line with tears in his eyes. He pulls over and complains about a crash in the woods, hands are cold, legs hurt, da da da. We sit there long enough for 3rd place to now become 2nd place and Logan pulls the plug. DNF.

There are a lot of factors that led to this result, but really the main ones are pride and inexperience. He went out too hard, he blew up because he could not handle 2nd place. He could have placed a very respectable 2nd place against older children, still maintained the lead in the series points, but 2nd is not good enough.

Now the real question is what do you do once you fall down? How do you handle defeat? You can look for other sports, play video games, cry about it. Or you can get back on your bike and ride your ride. Life is full of ups and downs, success and failure. God has given you the talent, will, and drive. What you do with it is up to you.

When you are ready to get back on your bike let me know. I hear there are some really fun trails out at FATS.

Winter Short Track Series

Well it was another fun day of racing.

I should have been on an endurance training ride because I still think that my riding is relevant, plus he was supposed to be on restrictions. Somehow he talked his Mom into "fixing" this. She lobbied on his behalf and he ended up racing.

Before the race, sizing them up. He is a bit undersized.

The race categories for kids are 14-18 and 13 and under. He turns 10 at the end of the month, so he was pretty close to the bottom of the age group.

There were 23 racers in his age group. We did not know what to expect.

I tried out my new video camera at the race, and I am in the middle of my first edit. Right now it is not very good, and would probably make you sick.

-The short track series is a timed event instead of a distance event. It is who can do the most laps first in the allotted amount of time. His race time was 25 minutes and the course is a 1 mile loop. I figured at about 10 mph he would get like 5 laps. The course is a really fun one with about 1/2 mile of downhill, flowing, banked, bmx like single track to a 1/2 mile fire road/paved climb back to the start-finish.

At the start they took off with no regard and Logan entered the single track in second place.

Video posted below. Logan is on the outside in blue.

I raced down the fire road to see how they shook out in the woods. He came out in second and quickly took first place on the climb. At the start finish he had a 20-30 second gap on 2nd. #168 in the pictures above. When he came out the woods 2nd was right on his wheel, and then Logan would drop him on the climb. I think a combination of lap traffic and Logan riding smart allowed 2nd to catch him almost every lap. On lap 4 #168 decided to make a move and really gunned it going up the climb. I started to think he may have been saving something for the end Logan is now in trouble. But Logan stayed calm, kept him in sight, and as soon as the kids tempo slowed down he dropped the hammer and pulled another 20-30 second gap. This time through the start-finish they announced 2 laps left. Logan raced a good race all the way to the end. He performed his signature disco dance finish across the line for his 1st win of the year.

Results posted below.

2nd place kept it interesting and was only 22 seconds back and 3rd place was over 2 minutes back. They were the only 3 to do 6 laps. He did 6 miles in 30 minutes or 12 mph average.

Boy is dangerous.

All in all, it was well worth it to give up my endurance ride to support the little punk.

Looks like we will be cutting the ski trip short this weekend to do some more racing in Charlotte.

Finish Line or Chain Line

Yesterday was another opportunity to throw down with the locals. The LBSs put on the annual Rudolfs Rampage Bike Race and the weather was perfect. Logan, the only real racer in the house, actually already had his ticket in hand. It was up to me to decide whether or not I was up for racing.

We got to the venue around 10am racing starts at 11. Logan and I did the normal pre-race things. He was signed up for the U14 class even though there was some pressure from Paul to put him in the Beginners Mens class. The main difference was that he would be racing 6 miles instead of 12. Being a weenie Dad, I decided I would be more comfortable knowing he was only racing 6 miles while I was also out there on the course racing instead of riding along beside him.

11 am roles around and it is race time. My group, SS, start a few minutes before Logan’s. He is giving me all this pep talk stuff about winning… no pressure, remember Dad, Just Pedal, No pain. Knowing I am only riding about 3x a week and 2x are at the gym. Not exactly training. Nonetheless it did not stop the trash talk at the start line. I like to use lines like, “I have been training to peak for this race all year long”. “Watch the hole shot, I am red lining the whole first lap”. “What gear did you bring? ___. That not going to be big enough”. Shit talk is so much more fun when you are actually full of shit.

Horn blows and we take off. I get to the top of the first climb in first place and Paul is yelling settle down Joe. I managed to hold first place for the first lap. Then on lap 2 a bearded fella fromCharlotte decided to drop the hammer on the switch backs. I think his name is Adam. I comfortably had 2^nd place and I could see Adam every once in a while, so his lead had to be less than a minute. I cross the line on lap 2 and Paul and Logan are yelling for me to go. Logan yells out, “I won mine Dad, Now you win yours!!” Now talk about words of encouragement. A rush of adrenaline rushed over me and I was sure I was going to catch Adam. Then it happened…. Coming out of Harder Easier, my chain dropped. It sounded like my hub had been popping all day. I fiddled around got it back on and it dropped again about a mile later. Finally with about a mile left in the race my chain drops for the 4^th time. 3^rd and 4^th place come screaming by. I am screaming all kinds of thing at my bike thinking of throwing it in the woods. I limp it back to the start finish, actually catch 3^rd place almost pass him, and then drop it again. This time I just pick the bike up run across the finish line. Mechanicals on a SS, that’s embarrassing.

After the race, Logan and I talk about how we did, what happened. How many grown men he passed. Apparently it was a lot. Result get posted and come to find out he beat 2^nd place by over 10 minutes. He completed the 6 mile course in 38 minutes. That is a 9.47 mph average. Not bad! He came away with his entry paid, $70 shorts, and about $10 worth of blocks, and Gu-s. That is a $120 dollar day.

So I get my bike home, take the chain off, and Logan eyeballs my cog and chain ring and says, “Dad, they are way off”. I eye ball it and sure enough like ½” off. So it was not my bikes fault, rear wheel’s fault, it was my dumb ass fault that I lost 2^nd place. Still, it was a good day with my boy!

Single Speed isn’t for the Old and Slow anymore.

I used to think that SS racing was just for the washed up that want to win at something. It is apparent now, because it wasn’t this way before, that plenty of really fast people race SS.

This weekend I signed up for the Escape from Dark Mountain P2P race. It was in conflict with another season favorite, Double Dare/Pisgah Gathering, but I wrote it off due to the time commitment from the family, lack of partnering, and lack of fitness. So along comes this race last minute and I jump all over it.

These trails are excellent and tying them together for a P2P is a great idea.

I showed up at the venue around 830am expecting a 10am start only to find out the start had been postponed to 12noon. What to do? I wasted 2 hours eating, getting fuel, and listening to talk radio, then the pre race started. Temps were in the 40s so clothing is hard to pick. While waiting for the start you freeze your butt off hoping that you do not have too much clothing while racing.

The start was a le-mans start for a 50 yard dash to the bikes, then a 500 yard sprint to the single track. We started up Dark Mountain and the line of riders was horrible. One thing I hate about racing is when the inexperienced racers try to get the hole shot only to walk all the switch backs and grind the granny. There was a lot of frustration in the beginning, some shouting by all, and probably 10 minutes lost to the leaders. But that is the way it is in SS racing and as I said, no expectations.

About half way through the Dark Mountain trail, I see my first SSer. He was riding a lime green Niner and later I found out his name is Shawn. I keep him in site for a few minutes, then make a move on some double track as he takes a drink. The trail then quickly heads down hill and I am able to pull a gap because he has not suspension and I do. We pop out at the end of Dark Mountain (really fun duel slalom like section with some small gap jumps). At this point I have no idea how many SSer or racers are in front of me, but I figure it can’t be that many. We pop out on the road and it is a quick steep climb up the dike. I am really loving my gear choice at this point. 32x20 (29er)= 46” Gear. I learned my lesson at 6 hours of WC with the 48” gear, and I was prepared this time. Then we enter OVT. This 8 miles of trail is a little more open and smooth than the other trails.

By this time in the race, 12 or so miles in, the traffic you see is pretty minimal. You might catch or get caught by one or two, but you really don’t expect much. I was lucky enough to have a few geared riders around me to help me push my pace, but once I got past them I must have backed it down to a more comfortable pace. About mile 15 I se a train of 3 riders gaining on me so I pull over as soon as they reach my wheel. It is 2 geared riders and Lime Green Niner Shawn. Starting to feel the miles, but not ready to quit, I pick it up to stay on their wheel. During the ups they would pull away a little, but I could easily make the gap on the downs. The whole time I am thinking, “how long can I keep this up before I blow”? We exit the OVT for 3 miles of pavement to the Warrior Creek trails. One of the geared riders takes the lead, Shawn next, me 3^rd, and the other geared rider in the back. Spun Out is an understatement. We cruised most of that section at around 16mph. According to Sheldon, that is 120rpm. A few times during this section I really considered dropping out of the draft and just spinning as best I could for fear I was going to pop any minute. I managed to hang on, then we entered the single track. Shawn took the lead with me right behind him. He was still looking strong on the climbs and I was trying to recover from 11 minutes straight of 120rpm. We had a quick 2-3 miles of single track, then they put us back out on the road. Shawn and I tried to determine who was the weakest, and who would attack. We turn the corner and there is a wall of road in front of us. Up head I can see another SSer weaving back and forth to cut the grade and that is all I needed. With another carrot up ahead, I decided I was going to catch him and I attacked the hill. No weaving back and forth here, just straight up. When I got to the top I was greeted with an awesome view, no time for site seeing, and a long road descent. I look back and Shawn is no where to be found. A few turns here and there and we are back on some single track, but it is nothing I have seen before. It must have been part of the OVT trail on this side of the area that does not get much traffic. The leaves where thick and the ground was mushy. I kept the gas on and shortly caught another SSer. This fellow, AKA Bert, was cussing his gear choice. I think he said 36x17, which just sounds insane. That is like a 55” gear on a 26er. A few miles of chatting and then I take the opportunity to pass. We finally hit WC proper and the flow is on. This trail is just ha ha good and the legs are starting feel some fatigue. I catch a few more riders and start thinking that there can not be that much race left. I figure 6 to 7 miles max. I turn the corner and this slow deceiving climb starts. I had just passed a rider and did not want to get passed back, so I start to grind it out. Oh no. The cramps hit and they hit hard. It is by far the worst hamstring cramp I have ever had. I am not regretting the 6 beers I had the night before, even though they were good. (Give Inclined Plane Ale a shot. Low price IPA with good taste. It is a lot like Dales Pale Ale, but $3.5 / 6 pack less.) Back to racing… So I get off my bike and try to walk, but can’t. Every step is pure pain and cramping. At this point I start to figure the ride is over and how am I going to make this last 6 miles. Then Bert passes me and few other riders. It is killing me inside, but I feel broke down. I take a few deep breathes, stretch it out, then start riding really slowly. I figure any day now Shawn is going to catch me and just like that I have lost 2 places in SS. Another mile goes by and my legs start feeling better, but my pace isn’t picking up too much. A few more geared riders pass me so I use them to tempo my ride. Then about 2 miles from the finish I see Bert up ahead. I know we only have one last hard climb left so I start putting on the power to close the gap. I tried to pass him on the inside of the switch back, but could not make it stick, then as soon as the trail opened up, I called the inside and started to go. I cruised through rock gardens and on to the WC start finish. This is where I expected to see the finish, but it was not here. No real signs, so I just crossed the road and kept going. I looked around and could not see anyone in front of me or anyone behind, then I started wondering if I am even going in the right direction. About a mile more and finally I see some signs of the finish. Elated to be finished and completely spent I rolled across the finish line 7^th of 12 SSers and 27^th of 100+ racers. If I would have signed up for my age group I would have placed 2^nd. I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied with the results especially since I have not been riding to train for anything lately.

Results here:

http://mtbracing.smg-usa.com/P2Presults.pdf

Ride details here:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/125587834

Damascus VA Trip

Well for my Birthday this year I requested a family camping trip to Damascus, VA. The request met some resistance, but eventually the two older children helped pressure the wife into going.

The plan was to pull the trailer up to the camp site full of bikes and camping gear, set up around 6ish Friday night, and start our trip down the Creeper Trail on Sat Morning.

We did not get up to the campsite until 9:30pm on Friday. We were however lucky enough to grab one of the first come, first serve sites with electricity and water.

Logan immediately started building a fire while Heather and I started unpacking and setting up the trailer. We were actually able to get the 6x12 cargo trailer set up with 1-mattress, 1-cot, 1-play-pen, and 1- sleeping pad to sleep the whole family comfortably. We put an electric unit heater in there and it kept the temps rather comfortable.

The next morning we took our time getting breakfast and loading the trailer for our trip to the top of the Creeper Trail, White Top.

Once there we unpacked and started our journey. The trail was a hit. The leaves were in peak color, temperatures were good, and the sky was blue. Unbelievably, Heather has requested that we do this every year now. That's success!

This is the only picture of Logan on the trail because he would not stay back with the caravan.

Hannah and Eli at the ice cream shop around Mile 11.

Definitely one of my favorite pictures!!!
Coming around the mountain.

Check out that monster hat!



Sunday morning I was able to get a little ride in around the campsite. There are some pretty good trails around Beartree.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/122825223

The trail head is located inside the campsite. Trail goes straight up to the ridge, for some great views and ridge trail riding, and then there are multiple options to make the ride as long or short as you want. Iron Mountain 100 is done in this location. I lucked up and picked the trail that bombed down to the road, the long way. Nice finish to a great weekend. Perfect Birthday Gift.

All Good!!!

CYMBL.ORG race #4

The whole family went up to see Logan's last race of the series. It is a logistics nightmare to get everyone out of the door by 6am.

Here is Eli hanging on his balance bike.

Logan Pre-Race

He gets the hole shot again.

This course has some real elevation change for kids race. It was something like 170' in 1.5 miles. The first half of lap was up up up. Logan can climb pretty well, and he put it on the competition. Coming out of Lap 1 there was no one in site.

9:30 first lap.

I followed him on the second lap and I have to admit it was uncomfortable to hold his wheel.

How long do I have before he is handing me my ass on a bike?

Coming into the finish he pulls a disco dance across the finish.

Last race was the cabbage patch, this time disco.

You can see the parents go from smiles to "what is that?".

Podium Shots for the race.

Podium Shots for the Series.

He got a NICE kids Camel Pak for the win and a cool medal.

Big Thanks to the CYMBL organizers and volunteers! We can't wait for the next series.

I think we need to move him up an age group next time around for some more competition. It is getting hard to fit his head in his helmet.
Results for his age group.

Today was a good day!

Logan had his 3rd race of the CYMBL.org race series. This time with a few surprises.

Paul Harrell of Harrell's Bicycles decided to pay him a surprise and showed up with a nice new jersey and some killer mechanical support.

This made Logan's day!

So we started out with an easy 2 mile warm up lap and then waited around for a little racing.

Again he gets the hole shot and is in the woods first.

This time he had some real competition and only won by 41 seconds. But he worked extra hard for this win and 3rd place did not come through for another 5 minutes.

The results are posted here. http://www.cymbl.org/cymbl_race4_overallresults.htm

After that we got a bite to eat and headed for Bent Creek for the rest of the day. You can't come to the mountains and only ride a few miles. Since none of us have been there before, we just headed for the most well know down hill in the area Greenslick. After 5 miles and 1200ft of elevation change we got to the top and the fun began. This is by far the most technical and longest down hill he has ever been on. He did great and was hooping and hollering the whole way down. We made our way back along the "bottoms" and back to the car with 12 miles under our belt. He was pretty spent, but rode like a champ. Ride details are here...http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115580893

On the way out the forest he had to get a picture with Smokey along with Paul's Fat Bike.

It was a good day. Lots of giggles and smiles with the sweet trails out in Bent Creek. And a Big Thanks to Paul!