Entries Tagged 'mtb riding' ↓

We will meet at the Forks (in front of Johnson Terminal, by the winter skating rink) at 6:30 and determine a route form there. With the rain again yesterday likely not many river routes available to ride but we will do our best.

At Whittier Park there will be the option for a skills workshop. We’ll use some props and obstacles to practice slow speed technique, wheel lifts (over logs etc.), basic wheelies/drops, riding skinnies & teeter totters.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather!

Last night was our first MTB bike ride of the season.  You’re probably thinking “first ride of the season?” well as you know the weather hasn’t been all that great, all the trails have been flooded and most of our ride leaders are involved in our Kids of Mud program.  That aside it was a beautiful evening with 8 members converging at The Forks to take to the trails of Wpg.  We took it easy for the first ride as we worked out some of the kinks, broke a chain and got up close and personal with the dirt (Rene never really did divulg what happened).  The ride lasted an hour and half and the pace was very comfortable with one rider using it as a recovery ride for her 2:01 half marathon time on Sunday (Great Job Carla).  Post ride we found ourselves enjoying the wonderful evening on a patio at The Forks munching on wings and washing them down with a cold beverage. 

Next week…same time, same place.

Thanks for the ride,

Allan

Okay I know this is a little late but here are the details.  We’ll meet at The Forks in front of Espresso Junction (Johnson Terminal) on Monday, June 22nd at 6:30pm sharp.  We’ll start and end the ride at The Forks as this is as central as it gets.  If you’re interested bring some cash as some of us may stick around for a coffee afterwards or maybe something a little colder as it’s supposed to be another pretty hot day.

Aright that should cover it.

See you tomorrow.

Allan

Although we have been running MTB rides concurrently with the KOM program, our first MTB club specific ride starts up Monday June 22.

Mapped route and other various information to be released!

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.

The Olympia Cycling Club is heading to Grand Beach this Saturday to work on the XC course. I came across this note – if anyone is interested in helping out…

Grand Beach Trail Prep

With the coming of a new bike season we have taken the feedback from last year and have upgraded our Club to the 2009 version!

Club info in a nutshell:

Requirements

• Must hold a valid MCA licence (recreational, citizen, or race) for insurance purposes
• $25 fee

Ride Calendar

• Sunday Road Ride
• Monday MTB Ride
• Tuesday & Thursday MTB Ride to coincide with Kids of Mud
• Saturday Road Ride (for FOG members)
• …and Monthly Adventure Rides

Club Benefits

• Earn up to $75 in store credit for riding your bike
• Receive 2 complimentary Ready to Roll tuneups
• Members Only discounts
• Free super cool water bottle
• Free Level 1 and 2 CCA coaching for anyone who wants it

All the Details
AECC Membership Information (MS Word)
AECC Membership Information (Open Office)

AECC Club Ride Information (MS Word)
AECC Club Ride Information (Open Office)

AECC Membership Form (MS Word)
AECC Membership Form (Open Office)