Dave’s year in reveiw.

My season began on my trainer in February.  I am always keen in the spring as I will have been cooped up all winter in my basement with the exception of the once or twice a week I xc ski in my back yard with my dogs.  I watched tour de France videos and spun till my heart was content.  From what I can gather not alot of people can sit on a trainer for 2-3 hours at a time, not a problem here.

My spin came back after 3-4 weeks as it always does and I was looking forward to the race season on my Mountain bike.  Living where I do I tend to only ride my road bike unless I’m racing in which case I am on my MTB obviously.  I did ok in the first few races of the year finishing in my usual mid-pack expert form and was not expecting to do any major damage with all the usual suspects looking fast as usual.

Being lazy and not wanting to drive  out to the hills (of which there definately are within 1.5-2 hours away) every weekend I tend to focus on the Wednesday night series at the bur oak trail in Birds hill park.  This for me has always been the most enjoyable racing  by far.  If you want to try mountain biking and don’t want to put your job, family, and life at risk riding some of the silly courses that can be set up at times , this is the series for you.  I spend my mountain bike days riding at the bur oak because its close, it’s dry and if its not challenging enough for you….go faster.

I would also like to mention how much I enjoyed The Alter Sunday morning shop rides.  This was our second summer running them and for most who attend they seem to become a regular.  Our pace is quite casual relative to the paces that I’ve been told many other group rides  are performed at.  We do not consider these rides races by any means so much as a casual conversation pace gathering of like minded cyclists.  Having said that, for those who have been on these rides know there are a couple of areas where the speed will jump up considerably for a short period of time for a few of the riders before settling back down and re-compressing the peloton.  These are not sprints of course as this is a “casual” ride .  Merely a chance for those involved to create a platform from which to brag aloud post ride.  Hope the bridges are repaired by spring.

I really had a great summer of riding despite the great farming weather.  I do have to say though (and I may be a bit biased here) my favorite race of this year, as it was last year had to be the 8 hour race held at the birch bike park, put on by the alter ego club. Shawn, Moni, Al, Team Seier and others laid out a great course for the event (true flow).  Mother nature took the opportunity pre event to ensure that the number of racers who came out were limited.  Despite that the comradarie and attitude of all who attended just seemed to be about having fun.  The keg of beer may have aided to that end as well.

All in all a great season of riding bicycles.  I now need to change my focus and pull out the misery sticks for another season of xc skiing.  We had tried to have a regular night of skiing at windsor park nordic center in the past but have been very hit and miss.  We’ll see this year I guess.  I need to learn to like classic skiing.  It’s tough to strap on the shufflers when I know I can go skate skiing where I may be a little more proficient.

I did manage to win the Wednesday night point series in The Expert men category somehow.  Perhaps due to all my mtn bike riding being done there.  I guess I’ll have a bit of a target on my back next year….oh well (maybe next year Steve ).

For those who are of similar stature to me [5 foot 8 ish] .  I have a couple of bicycles that need to leave the comfort of my home.  I have a gently used  Specialized 2009 Tarmac SL2 with world champion Paolo Bettini colors (special edition) with full Sram red groupo, Roval fusee star wheelset and schwalbe ultremo tires for sale.  Size 52 cm.  I have a new bike on the way (yes we’re very spoiled at Alter).                                                            dave@alteregosports.com

I also have My beautiful hardtail for sale.  A 2007 Secialized stumpjumper comp frame 17″ in arctic cat green with full XT components and an XTR rear derailleur.  FOX rl 90 fork.  The wheels that will be sold with it have not been used with the exception of the rear that was used for one race by a member of Team Seier.  Obviously mechanic owned and maintained.  $2500.00 retail approx.  $1200.00 price                          dave@alteregosports.com

The wheels I put on that bike as soon as I received it are going as well.  Stans olympic ZTR rims laced to DT Swiss 240 hubs 6 bolt via DT swiss revoloution 1.8-1.5 stainless spokes with blue anodized aluminum nipples.  I built these myself and have not had to true them.  Max rider weight is around 190lbs.          dave@alteregosports.com

Don’t need to sell this stuff however with my current ride being a Trek top fuel 9.9 ssl I haven’t been using much else.

Again ,Thanks to everyone who was a part of one or all of my adventures this year and we’ll see you next year.  Rumor has it I may have access to a coach for the winter .

Dave.