Entries Tagged 'Dave' ↓

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.

I’ll start by saying  that this was my favorite race last year and judging by the mca polls it was also a favorite of many other riders.

This year did not disappoint .  Not a great turnout for the race with the forecast coming into the race being lots of rain, locusts, and several other plagues piled on one another.

The lack of riders did not dampen the spirits those who were not big wimps.  The course….All I can say is that this is how a course should be set up, finally a roseisle course with flow and a perfect balance of ripping fast flowy downhills and steady easily paced uphills.  Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

My race.

I was first leg with the incomparable Allan Robertson as my partner in the two man category.  I went out with the intention of riding a pace that I could hold for four hours.  Not too difficult with the rain we had had.  My snowboarding background came in handy as I slid down everything with even the slightest of angle (wet).  My first lap was  38 minutes .  Based on this we decided to do 2 hour stints.  The rain had stopped by the start of the event and every lap was getting faster, stickier, easier.  I then posted a 35 followed by a 37.

When I came through for transition to Allan…He wasn’t in the starting blocks (turns out Don Sissons had sprained his ankle and Al was making sure he was ok, excusable…I guess .  Al went out and held our position in third, first place was already out of reach due to some fast Morden locals who went untouchable all day.  We had Graham and Josh to worry about and with Graham doing 5 laps on his first stint we were in a bit of a hole.  Al filled alot of the hole , 1 beer and some idle chit chat  later, I was back up for my 4-5-6 laps.

I went out slowly and could feel my previous laps in my legs.  Anyone who has ridden at this amazing place understands that.  4th lap bang on 38 minutes, 5th lap a little slower, 6th lap…OH hello Mr. Crampy legs.  I maybe should have drank water instead of that refreshing malt beverage.  I had caught and passed Josh for second place on my 5th lap.  I was 5 minutes slower on my 6th lap… He was slowing as well.  We were down by two minutes.  As I came meandering into the transition for Al I told him to go catch the Gerolsteiner Jersey.  Apparently that was all the motivation he needed.

As he came through for his lap he looked right into my soul with the fires of hell burning in his eyes and said “You’d better be ready when I come through”.  Obviously with the assistance of Beelzebub himself he posted the second fastest lap time of the event.  when you dance with evil you will always pay the price,  For Al it was in the form of  a visit from Mr. Crampy legs.  When Al came through for transition He looked like he had been chased super fast zombies of some kind.  I was ready

While in the pits I had “accidentally” overheard josh mention to another rider that he had to stop on “Gilles secret trail ” climb to fight off vertical expulsion of his previous meal.  Hmmmm.  Graham handed the reigns to Josh just behind me as I went out for what was to be our final lap.  2nd and 3rd separated by 1 second after 7 hours of racing.  I did not want another visit from Mr. Crampy legs so I had to be reasonable about my efforts.  Immediately after our transition I let Josh go.  A draft is a wonderful thing.  I let him gap me by about 10 seconds hoping he would push a little harder.  He did.  I kept him within reach as much as I could.  My plan was to slowly reel him in by the time we got to “the climb”.  I slowly reeled him in by the time we got to the climb.  It was difficult sitting on his wheel up the climb as my top fuel does not have a granny ring (I wished it had).  Josh and I rode off the top of the climb and through an uber flowy new cut section along the top of the ridge.  When we got to the opening just before the descent I reached down ,got my can opener and opened a steaming fresh can of whoop ass.  I think I put 35 seconds on Josh by the bottom of the descent.  I love my bike.

Josh and Graham were awesome opponents and I thank them for making it such a close battle all day.

I thank Allen (or at least the person I knew as Allen before the possession) for keeping it real.

As I said off the top this is such a well run event,  Gobs of prizes courtesy of Norco,  Great trails and perfect weather for racing.  Again my favorite race this year.

BEEEAW!

Dave./D.J.

Up early for the drive with Dan and Paul out to Brandon.  I was still feeling a tiny bit congested from the never ending cold that everyone seems to have right now.  Other than that I felt ok.

We arrived early and set up base camp.  After heading out on the course and doing what we thought was a lap (kids loop) I felt ready.   We had ridden in between the course marshalls changing posts, Oops.

The race started at the crack of noon, right on time, what a treat.  I pulled out behind Greg and Dylan and sat back waiting for the onslaught of riders that would soon swallow me up.  I didnt have to wait long.  After the initial shuffle I found myself in 8 place maybe 7th.  There were a few swaps during my first two laps but pretty much status quo.  It seems that I am much faster than I thought in the technical areas and slower on the high speed areas (must be the bike .  I did my best to keep my pace low as I was hoping for attrition towards the end to move me up a couple of places.  My laps were all within 1 minute of each other, Thank you heart rate monitor.   On the fourth lap I was ready to pick up the pace considerably, my legs had other ideas.  Ron Kaulins blew by me and apparently 4 other people on the last lap yikes.  I caught up to Mr, Paul Benson and as he saw me out of the corner of his eye I could almost hear him say …I dont think so, He took off to put about a minute on me from there.

I had to work super hard to maintain my pace on the last lap but somehow held it together.  I was able to ride the entire course all day with the exeption of overshooting one of the very overshootable corners.  Great course, not for beginners.

I ended up 9th, right where I thought I should be.

At the end of it all, in the van waitng for my bloodsuger to balance out I summed it up with a question. “Is there a peice of my left ear missing guys?  ………………..Cause I,m pretty sure I just went three rounds with Mike Tyson.”

Next up, a technical buffet at Falcon.

Dave.

Hello again.

Great temperature for a race.

Good turnout for the race and I was feeling good about it.

Modified course slightly as the carpet climb and the following nasty descent were removed.  There was a new climb cut as well.  No major changes.

I started mid pack and wanted to settle into my pace as soon as I could.  I must have been napping at the start line and did not hear that I was doing 4 laps and assumed I was doing 3.  Sitting in 6 th place after 3 laps I pulled off the course.  After going for a quick spin through the parking lot and stopping at my car for a quick drink I realized none of the other experts were in.  I thought they must have went out for a cool down lap.  As I strolled back to the staging area (4-5 mins later) Paul who had been my coach for the day Said “Are you sure youre done cause….everyone else is still out there?

Shirt.

I headed back out on the course having completely railed myself on the third and final lap.  I had nothing left.

My fouth and second final lap was a yawner.  Paul and I chatted about stuff and just gingerly cruised around the course.  I realized I was still ahead of some people so I tried to pick the pace up a bit.  As I crossed the line I was cooked.  Rob Brigden met me and said “where the hell did you go?”.  He thought I had put the pace up and dropped him.  Next time Rob.

I,m such a muffin (rolled oats with bran and pinapple cranberry sprinkled with poppyseeds probably).

Brandon hills next.

How many laps?

Dave.

Wow!

Last nights race was a tough one.

I moved back up to the expert category this season as it seems a better fit for me.

These are the fast guys.  Birds hill park has some of the best most technically challenging singletrack in the province.  Don’t believe me, ask any seasoned rider where they’ve folded more front wheels or shoulder checked more trees.

At the start tone it was self proclaimed pro skateboarder Leonard getting the whole shot.  He was moving.  I looked left of me and noticed nobody was filling the gap behind him …I moved in.  By the sand hill he and I had already gapped the pack a bit (so much for pacing myself).  just as we turned up to leave the staging area A branch reached out and grabbed a firm hold of my helmet.  Twisting my head and my glasses around what seemed to be 360 degrees I was able to stay upright but now had a sideways helmet and glasses half off my face, Len was not slowing.  I continued to ride like this for the trip down the doubletrack (hope someone got a picture).

Somehow I got past Len and found myself in first, I backed right off.  Not the race I had in mind.  I heard a call to pass on Len, then on me, It was Dylan..  I tried to sit in with Dylan, watched my heart rate ramp and shut it down, good god man.  Luc caught me and passed, I was able to hold on this time.

From somewhere  Hal showed up.  Perhaps a void in the space time continuum.  Singlespeed 29er.

Hal has POWER.  After he passed me and Luc, we sat in his draft.  Thanks Hal.

We sat in his draft for the next two laps.  For those who don,t know, I am riding a new bike this year. Trek top fuel 9.9 ssl this thing is insane.  I can honestly say that in the twisties I was able to back right off and conserve a bit of energy allowing my hr to drop a couple of beats and at this level that’s a lot.

Steve “The Viking” came from mid pack to close within 5-10 seconds of us, unfortunately even his ridiculous wattage wasn’t able to compete with three riders working the straight sections together.  I for one am glad

With Dylan off he front picking blueberries, It was down to us three for 2nd through 4th.  I was sure I had saved enough to win the impending sprint. I was wrong.

Luc got ahead of  Hal on the section before the carousel, I sat in.  Luc started to ramp up, I sat in.  Over the final hill by the parking lot shelter Luc was about ten feet up from Hal and I.  Go time.  I dropped three gears and stood up.Hal has no gears, he stood up. Hal beat me by a wheel……a wheel!

Fourth place.

My first race back in Expert I am not complaining at all. Thank you again to Karin, Kevin, and Jane for a very well organized first event.  Not easy to do.

See you at the Beach!

Dave.

This will be my first attempt to post a blog.

This is also my first post about the 2009 racing season.

I rode a new bike today.  It was a trek top fuel 9.9 ssl.  It was unfamiliar at first and by at first I mean about 25 minutes.

After my first lap something clicked.  It may have been the arrival of  Rob Brigden a long time Alter ego team mate, or it may have been the alignment of something cosmic, nonetheless I clocked a sub 21 minute full lap at the bur oak trail.

I have never done this before.  Not only that but my average heart rate was lower than what I am capable of holding for an extended period.  Fast bike?  Yeah I would say so.

Thanks for the push Rob, or should I say the pull .

The bike is unfreakinbeleivable, yes one word.

See you kids Wednesday night for the first Bur oak race.

Weeeeee!

Dave.