Well the Solstice fun came in two varieties this year! Running and Mtbing.
Obviously the Solstice needs celbrating, marking the shortest day of the year and the birth of the new year! Good enough reason to build bloody Stonehenge, good enough reason to get out there into the open and do our thing!
Fun started on Saturday 20 Dec with the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler in Druids Hill Park Baltimore. Talked into this by friends and MLW! Not really a 5 mile kind of guy - especially so soon after the JFK 50. Was a bit worried that all the snap would be gone from the legs and I'd be even slower than usual! Managed to put pressure on myelf even more by foolishly mentioning (at my work Holiday Dinner, after a couple of "sherbets") that 6 min/mile pace was what I thought was reasonable. Hell! What was I thinking! So the morning came, cold and windy, adn MLW, some friends and I find ourselves huddlng for warmth at the start, generally mumbling about who's bloody stupid idea this was in the first place - not guilty!
Turns out it's a bloody big race too! Nearly 2000 runners this year.
At 8am (or there abouts) the "gun" goes and we start the run with a rather nasty little hill. Over an overpass and up to the swimming pool. By the time I reach the top I'm feeling winded and am hoping that the first mile will be out of the way - no such luck! A glance at my watch tells me we have been running for 3 min 40 sec! Shite it's going to be a long day - hands are sodding freezing to. When the 1 mile marker finally hoves into view the pack has thinned out and the watch says 6:20, repectable but not 6 min/mile pace. THe second mile is mainly flat but with a couple of inclines, find myself running with a young guy in a black shirt and shorts - decide he looks a good target and get towed by him for the next mile or so - second mile goes (thankfully) easier than the first and the watch says 12:15 so I had clawed some of my time back. Up the hill to the turn round point and I pass my friend in black. Heading back doen the hill I see MLW heading up, looking strong and well ahead of her friends, way to go! By the time I hit the lake loop I am just trying to hang in and maintain some semblence of form. I know I am running a reasonable pace and just need to keep it all together, at some point round the lake my friend in black reappears and passes me. I try to stay with him but my legs just don't have the spring. Once we have circumnavigated the lake we head right and before I know it I am at the top of the initial climb, heading down this tinme toward the finish. All the time I have been aiming for a 31 min finish to save my blushes, but the watch is not even at 30 yet so the ears are pinned back and I do what I can to stretch the stride. Mr Black is too strng and I find myself loosing ground, but hold on just well enough to cross the line at 30 min 8 sec on my watch! Good Enough. MLW has a blistering run - finishing in 37 min and change (clock time), to be in under 7:30 min/mile pace - from a girl running over 8:30 min/miles only a year ago! fantastic run and good enough (once "chip" issues have been resolved) to earn her a podium place (3rd in her age group). She is getting pretty consistent at podiuming this year! Must be the third or fourth time. My time (though good for me) was only sufficient for a 5th place in my age group - still no complaints, fun all round and one of the Bollux-clan on the podium is reason for celebration enough.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Colonic Irritation!
Took advantage of a very short respite provided by Mother Nature (in that it didn't bloody rain for a whole 48 hrs straight) to get out for a night ride. Short notice so participation was restricted to just Todd and myself. Turned out to be a very disappointing ride on all levels!
Headed off from the usual launch site and headed as is customary for the fun that is Small Intestine! Got to the trail head to find....... SHOCK HORROR the trail has been completely dismantled! Not only that but New Trail has suffered the same awful fate! (So too it transpired later had the loggy section at the top of Small Intestine!) Big time downer! My two favorite trails on the HC side are no more. Trying hard to recover from the shock we headed up to Belmont and thence down to the Purple Trail. The Purple Trail was a mess! Being the good souls we are we didn't attempt to ride this (cos we'd just chew it up) but walked our bike to the top in somber mood - sloppy trails and destruction of favorite sections, the night would never recover! Hard to take that trails like Small Intestine that drained pretty damn well and were as fun as hell to ride should be trashed while sections like the Purple Trail that drains horribly and is no fun at all even when dry should be promoted! Ho Hum.
Once on Ridge things were a little better but we decided that in deference to the trail conditions we'd cut it short - past the derelict houses and back to Morning Choice. Nice to get out and blow some air through the lungs, it feels like it's been too long. Rode for a while on the Rockburn park side, just to put in some miles then back to the cars. Stopped at the New Trail entrance and surveyed damage - total trail annihilation, took a photo to commemorate the fall of a once good friend and back to the vehicles for a couple of solemn beers - a wake to fallen trails we have known and loved.
Headed off from the usual launch site and headed as is customary for the fun that is Small Intestine! Got to the trail head to find....... SHOCK HORROR the trail has been completely dismantled! Not only that but New Trail has suffered the same awful fate! (So too it transpired later had the loggy section at the top of Small Intestine!) Big time downer! My two favorite trails on the HC side are no more. Trying hard to recover from the shock we headed up to Belmont and thence down to the Purple Trail. The Purple Trail was a mess! Being the good souls we are we didn't attempt to ride this (cos we'd just chew it up) but walked our bike to the top in somber mood - sloppy trails and destruction of favorite sections, the night would never recover! Hard to take that trails like Small Intestine that drained pretty damn well and were as fun as hell to ride should be trashed while sections like the Purple Trail that drains horribly and is no fun at all even when dry should be promoted! Ho Hum.
Once on Ridge things were a little better but we decided that in deference to the trail conditions we'd cut it short - past the derelict houses and back to Morning Choice. Nice to get out and blow some air through the lungs, it feels like it's been too long. Rode for a while on the Rockburn park side, just to put in some miles then back to the cars. Stopped at the New Trail entrance and surveyed damage - total trail annihilation, took a photo to commemorate the fall of a once good friend and back to the vehicles for a couple of solemn beers - a wake to fallen trails we have known and loved.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
It's been so long!
Wow.....so long since I have gotten of my arse to try and write something here that (i) I hadn't realized my last post was the JFK 50 race Report and (ii) I'd forgotten my Google password.
Since the JFK it's been time to heal the broken body and actually spend some time relaxing. Legs took a surprisingly long time to heal! They never felt really bad but nagging aches and pains that let me know I am getting too old for this foolishness (yeah right). I've done a couple of short (5 mile) runs at comfortable pace but been sore the next day - this running at faster than 10 min/mile lark sucks.
Mother nature has taken care of the biking thing to a large extent. No night rides for past three weeks cos of rain and this week looks like another wash out. Got in a couple of Sunday morning rides at Patapsco - one of which was in the wet. Too wet really to be riding, but the rain started just as we got to the trails and as we were there..... It was cold (in the 30s) and damp/wet but as four of the group were from Europe (two Brits, an Irishman and a Dutch guy) the cold and wet didn't seem such a good excuse. Trails were not muddy but as slick as hell. Plenty of slick roots and logs, many obstacles were just plain unridable - as such a short miserable ride. This was the first time this group has ridden together (an amalgamation of Biker Sean's friends and the usual Sunday group) so nobody wanted to be the wimp would complained first. Due to riding conditions the pace was painfully slow and so only a short ride. Last Sunday fortunately the temp was ow enough to keep the trails frozen for much of the ride. Last 15 min were a bit dicey and a friend who rode later in the day confirmed that once thawed the trials were a mess. But at 8am conditions were pretty damn good and it felt great to be back on the bike. Mojo was in full flow and we took everything the tail could throw at us. Small Intestine, Belmont (including riding the log), Ridge and Cascade - beaut!
On the was down Belmont hill came across an arrow embedded about 8 inches into the side of the trail. Nice carbon (oddly Easton, I thought they only made bike bits) shaft and a razor head. Bit of a worry that from the angle of impact the arrow must have crossed the trail before burying itself in the dirt! That would have ruined a ride if it had hit a biker.
Other than the two rides and two runs the majority of my training has been in the pool - half a mind to aim for an Ironman in 2009 (MLW is not too convinced). We'll see, swim twice a week during the winter and see how it's going by Easter.
Well, I'm back in writing mode and hopefully there will be more to talk about once the weather gets cold and the trails are good a solid!
Cheers
DogzBollux.
Since the JFK it's been time to heal the broken body and actually spend some time relaxing. Legs took a surprisingly long time to heal! They never felt really bad but nagging aches and pains that let me know I am getting too old for this foolishness (yeah right). I've done a couple of short (5 mile) runs at comfortable pace but been sore the next day - this running at faster than 10 min/mile lark sucks.
Mother nature has taken care of the biking thing to a large extent. No night rides for past three weeks cos of rain and this week looks like another wash out. Got in a couple of Sunday morning rides at Patapsco - one of which was in the wet. Too wet really to be riding, but the rain started just as we got to the trails and as we were there..... It was cold (in the 30s) and damp/wet but as four of the group were from Europe (two Brits, an Irishman and a Dutch guy) the cold and wet didn't seem such a good excuse. Trails were not muddy but as slick as hell. Plenty of slick roots and logs, many obstacles were just plain unridable - as such a short miserable ride. This was the first time this group has ridden together (an amalgamation of Biker Sean's friends and the usual Sunday group) so nobody wanted to be the wimp would complained first. Due to riding conditions the pace was painfully slow and so only a short ride. Last Sunday fortunately the temp was ow enough to keep the trails frozen for much of the ride. Last 15 min were a bit dicey and a friend who rode later in the day confirmed that once thawed the trials were a mess. But at 8am conditions were pretty damn good and it felt great to be back on the bike. Mojo was in full flow and we took everything the tail could throw at us. Small Intestine, Belmont (including riding the log), Ridge and Cascade - beaut!
On the was down Belmont hill came across an arrow embedded about 8 inches into the side of the trail. Nice carbon (oddly Easton, I thought they only made bike bits) shaft and a razor head. Bit of a worry that from the angle of impact the arrow must have crossed the trail before burying itself in the dirt! That would have ruined a ride if it had hit a biker.
Other than the two rides and two runs the majority of my training has been in the pool - half a mind to aim for an Ironman in 2009 (MLW is not too convinced). We'll see, swim twice a week during the winter and see how it's going by Easter.
Well, I'm back in writing mode and hopefully there will be more to talk about once the weather gets cold and the trails are good a solid!
Cheers
DogzBollux.
Monday, November 24, 2008
JFK 50 2008 (Race Report)
Well, it's finally over and my life can revert back to just it's usual level of craziness.
It's been a tough time getting ready for my first 50 miler, even if it was the JFK 50 and so fairly easy in the general scheme of things. Lots of long runs that have really eaten into my free time and really left little room for anything else. The family have been pretty awesome about this though MLW has told me in no uncertain terms that this was my "first and last" 50 miler (we'll see!)
Training was going pretty well for a while early morning and evening runs meaning that the head light was working overtime and I was seriously beginning to wonder what it would be like to run in the light. More recently the weight of the miles and some injury issues with my right calf cut the number of miles dramatically. Initial plans were to build up to consecutive 100 mile weeks, run a 30 miler and run two 20 milers on consecutive days. None of this happened though I did run at least one 20 miler pretty much every week for the 5 weeks leading up to the race. Sore leg meant the final week was restricted to a solitary 5 mile very slow effort (the 20 miler on the previous Saturday having been marred by a startlingly painful right leg from 11 miles in).
So the preparation for the trip to Boonsboro Md had not gone exactly to plan and I was a little nervous checking into the Red Roof Inn on Friday night. Early to bed with the realization that there was nothing to be done about lack of preparation at this point and "toeing the line" as ready as possible was all that could be hoped for. Guess I was nervous cos I had a very vivid dream about the race that included a bus ride up a freakin' mountain and then getting lost and chased by the police trying to find the start line!
Race day didn't exactly dawn for me because I was up at 4:30am - long before the sun! Bit cold to say the least! In fact when we got to the start in Boonsboro the bank sign was indicating a temperature of 19 oF (TOASTY!). After huddling together with the other racers like a group of nervous penguins for a few minutes the gun was fired and off we went. The course is a story of three sections, the Appalachian Trail section (first 15.5 miles) that is a mixture of road and single track. This is where the vast majority of the hills are and the running is challenging because of long rocky sections. Seemed a lot of the runners were marathoners who had little trail experience and this section was tough on them - impossible to get into a rhythm as you need to keep changing your stride length to accommodate rocks. Hills were walked and rocks were tripped over. I was lucky I only fell once, the lady running behind me called out "are you alright sir!" as I fell and the only real damage done was to my pride - Sir! How bloody old do I look? My training partner Sean was not so lucky, he fell a couple of times the last time (at 9 miles) hitting the ground hard and dislocating his finger - an injury that would end his race at the aid stop at 15 miles.
The hours past as we trailed across the ridge, past a radio tower - always a cheery sight as they don't put those things in valleys! A tower normally means that the climbing is done, and so it proved. Down a wicked section of switch backs and the AT portion was over 15.5 miles in almost exactly 3 hours. Now the real business would start. Onto the C&O trail clutching a PB&J sandwich and some cookies and life was good. Found out earlier in the day the M&Ms were a bad idea - so cold the damn things were as hard as bullets, more likely to break my teeth on them than gain any nutritional benefit. Picked up the pace a wee bit on the C&O trail tried to get into a groove, but it wasn't really happening just had to slug it out. Tried to run "within myself" waiting for the big crash. Twenty miles came and went, I didn't crash, but it wasn't getting any easier either I was pretty much just surviving between aid stations, at each station I got my bottle refilled with Gatorade, grabbed a handful of potato chips and cookies and headed out again. Slow and easy! At 25 miles my right knee felt ominously like it was locking up - not great after not even a marathon! But as I pushed on it got no worse then slowly eased. Between 30 and 40 miles I had a fairly tough time (as expected - the long dark teatime of the soul), checking my watch showed that I was unlikely to break 8 hours 30 min but should be O.K. for sub 9 hours so that became the target. My initial aim was between 8 and 9 hours so that was fine and my spirits began to rise.
After the 38 mile aid station life started to look more rosey - the end of the second section (the C&O trail) was almost at an end - finishing at 42 miles and that just left the "undulating" 8.2 mile road section to the finish. This was the section that was really worrying me for two reasons, firstly I was very unsure how my fried legs (and mind) would cope with any kind of hills after 26 miles of dead flat running and secondly my right calf was in real danger of seizing solid on asphalt (as it had done the week previously). Fortunately I had been talking to some seasoned JFKers as I had traversed the C&O portion and knew that the initial climb off the trail was tough but the last real tough climb of the day. So when it came into view it wasn't a shock and I was resigned already to walking it. At the top we passed the 8 miles to go sign and the running was pretty flat. Quick mental math confirmed that if I ran 10 min/mile for last 8 miles I would come in just over 8 hours 30 min, so if I just kept running sub 9 hours was in the bag! Every running step made the sub 9 finish more likely as it meant the less walking to be done. At 6 miles to go "aid station" I caught up with a guy I had run with on and off for the past 4 hours - he had asked earlier if I was going for sub-8:30 and I had said I though that was a bit beyond me today. As we headed out for the last 6 miles he asked me what our time was, 7:36 - which meant 9 min/mile would get us in at 8:30 exactly! BUGGER, now I had something to run for!To be honest I didn't feel that 9 min/mile was possible but we marched on. Sometime later (not sure when) my compadre suddenly swore and stopped running! I could have stopped to see if I could encourage him but by now it was "every man for himself". At 3 miles to go I was still spot on target for 8:30 then disaster struck! I felt fine, I didn't think I was slowing, but the 2 mile to go marker just didn't arrive! I passed a mark on the road that I thought might be it but then 4 minutes later I passed the marker! So the last mile had taken me 13 minutes and I only had 14 minutes to get the last mile done. GAME OVER! As I relaxed and resigned myself to jogging in to the finish (still well under 9 hours) I entered the final aid station, just past the 2 mile marker. As they filled my bottle for the last time one of the volunteers said, come on nearly there, only a mile and a half to go! WHAT?! I continued on and in no time I could see the 1 mile to go marker! Looking at my watch confirmed the time 8 hours and 21 minutes. The 2 mile to go marker must have been misplaced! So it all came down to this, 49.2 miles done - 1 mile left and 9 minutes between me and a 8:30 finish. I picked the pace as much as I could (or dared) and just concentrated on keeping going. Up the final straight and I could see the clock at the end was still reading 8:28 something. Relaxed a tad and finished with a big stupid grin on my face at 8:29 and change!
Whole time the temp had never gone about freezing point but I was glad to be done before the sun started to go down and the temperature started to fall again - for many running into a cold sunset was a reality - God Bless'em Every One!
Hard race! Fantastic Fun - too early to say weather I will ever want to repeat this experience. But glad I've done it and it's over! Last race of my 2008 season.
Now I can get back to some decent Mtbing and might even post in a more timely fashion.
Cheers
DogzBollux
It's been a tough time getting ready for my first 50 miler, even if it was the JFK 50 and so fairly easy in the general scheme of things. Lots of long runs that have really eaten into my free time and really left little room for anything else. The family have been pretty awesome about this though MLW has told me in no uncertain terms that this was my "first and last" 50 miler (we'll see!)
Training was going pretty well for a while early morning and evening runs meaning that the head light was working overtime and I was seriously beginning to wonder what it would be like to run in the light. More recently the weight of the miles and some injury issues with my right calf cut the number of miles dramatically. Initial plans were to build up to consecutive 100 mile weeks, run a 30 miler and run two 20 milers on consecutive days. None of this happened though I did run at least one 20 miler pretty much every week for the 5 weeks leading up to the race. Sore leg meant the final week was restricted to a solitary 5 mile very slow effort (the 20 miler on the previous Saturday having been marred by a startlingly painful right leg from 11 miles in).
So the preparation for the trip to Boonsboro Md had not gone exactly to plan and I was a little nervous checking into the Red Roof Inn on Friday night. Early to bed with the realization that there was nothing to be done about lack of preparation at this point and "toeing the line" as ready as possible was all that could be hoped for. Guess I was nervous cos I had a very vivid dream about the race that included a bus ride up a freakin' mountain and then getting lost and chased by the police trying to find the start line!
Race day didn't exactly dawn for me because I was up at 4:30am - long before the sun! Bit cold to say the least! In fact when we got to the start in Boonsboro the bank sign was indicating a temperature of 19 oF (TOASTY!). After huddling together with the other racers like a group of nervous penguins for a few minutes the gun was fired and off we went. The course is a story of three sections, the Appalachian Trail section (first 15.5 miles) that is a mixture of road and single track. This is where the vast majority of the hills are and the running is challenging because of long rocky sections. Seemed a lot of the runners were marathoners who had little trail experience and this section was tough on them - impossible to get into a rhythm as you need to keep changing your stride length to accommodate rocks. Hills were walked and rocks were tripped over. I was lucky I only fell once, the lady running behind me called out "are you alright sir!" as I fell and the only real damage done was to my pride - Sir! How bloody old do I look? My training partner Sean was not so lucky, he fell a couple of times the last time (at 9 miles) hitting the ground hard and dislocating his finger - an injury that would end his race at the aid stop at 15 miles.
The hours past as we trailed across the ridge, past a radio tower - always a cheery sight as they don't put those things in valleys! A tower normally means that the climbing is done, and so it proved. Down a wicked section of switch backs and the AT portion was over 15.5 miles in almost exactly 3 hours. Now the real business would start. Onto the C&O trail clutching a PB&J sandwich and some cookies and life was good. Found out earlier in the day the M&Ms were a bad idea - so cold the damn things were as hard as bullets, more likely to break my teeth on them than gain any nutritional benefit. Picked up the pace a wee bit on the C&O trail tried to get into a groove, but it wasn't really happening just had to slug it out. Tried to run "within myself" waiting for the big crash. Twenty miles came and went, I didn't crash, but it wasn't getting any easier either I was pretty much just surviving between aid stations, at each station I got my bottle refilled with Gatorade, grabbed a handful of potato chips and cookies and headed out again. Slow and easy! At 25 miles my right knee felt ominously like it was locking up - not great after not even a marathon! But as I pushed on it got no worse then slowly eased. Between 30 and 40 miles I had a fairly tough time (as expected - the long dark teatime of the soul), checking my watch showed that I was unlikely to break 8 hours 30 min but should be O.K. for sub 9 hours so that became the target. My initial aim was between 8 and 9 hours so that was fine and my spirits began to rise.
After the 38 mile aid station life started to look more rosey - the end of the second section (the C&O trail) was almost at an end - finishing at 42 miles and that just left the "undulating" 8.2 mile road section to the finish. This was the section that was really worrying me for two reasons, firstly I was very unsure how my fried legs (and mind) would cope with any kind of hills after 26 miles of dead flat running and secondly my right calf was in real danger of seizing solid on asphalt (as it had done the week previously). Fortunately I had been talking to some seasoned JFKers as I had traversed the C&O portion and knew that the initial climb off the trail was tough but the last real tough climb of the day. So when it came into view it wasn't a shock and I was resigned already to walking it. At the top we passed the 8 miles to go sign and the running was pretty flat. Quick mental math confirmed that if I ran 10 min/mile for last 8 miles I would come in just over 8 hours 30 min, so if I just kept running sub 9 hours was in the bag! Every running step made the sub 9 finish more likely as it meant the less walking to be done. At 6 miles to go "aid station" I caught up with a guy I had run with on and off for the past 4 hours - he had asked earlier if I was going for sub-8:30 and I had said I though that was a bit beyond me today. As we headed out for the last 6 miles he asked me what our time was, 7:36 - which meant 9 min/mile would get us in at 8:30 exactly! BUGGER, now I had something to run for!To be honest I didn't feel that 9 min/mile was possible but we marched on. Sometime later (not sure when) my compadre suddenly swore and stopped running! I could have stopped to see if I could encourage him but by now it was "every man for himself". At 3 miles to go I was still spot on target for 8:30 then disaster struck! I felt fine, I didn't think I was slowing, but the 2 mile to go marker just didn't arrive! I passed a mark on the road that I thought might be it but then 4 minutes later I passed the marker! So the last mile had taken me 13 minutes and I only had 14 minutes to get the last mile done. GAME OVER! As I relaxed and resigned myself to jogging in to the finish (still well under 9 hours) I entered the final aid station, just past the 2 mile marker. As they filled my bottle for the last time one of the volunteers said, come on nearly there, only a mile and a half to go! WHAT?! I continued on and in no time I could see the 1 mile to go marker! Looking at my watch confirmed the time 8 hours and 21 minutes. The 2 mile to go marker must have been misplaced! So it all came down to this, 49.2 miles done - 1 mile left and 9 minutes between me and a 8:30 finish. I picked the pace as much as I could (or dared) and just concentrated on keeping going. Up the final straight and I could see the clock at the end was still reading 8:28 something. Relaxed a tad and finished with a big stupid grin on my face at 8:29 and change!
Whole time the temp had never gone about freezing point but I was glad to be done before the sun started to go down and the temperature started to fall again - for many running into a cold sunset was a reality - God Bless'em Every One!
Hard race! Fantastic Fun - too early to say weather I will ever want to repeat this experience. But glad I've done it and it's over! Last race of my 2008 season.
Now I can get back to some decent Mtbing and might even post in a more timely fashion.
Cheers
DogzBollux
Monday, November 10, 2008
Ultramarathon Blues
"I've got those,
Can't get rid of those,
Ultramarathon Blues"
Big miles are totally failing to materialize at the moment - and this is an issue! The plan was to have a couple of 100 mile weeks under my belt by now, no such luck. Longest weeks have just about topped 60 miles. That being said I've had more long runs (over 20 miles) heading up to the JFK 50 than I've ever strung together in one training block. Trouble is that at the moment neither the mind or the body is holding up too well to the increased running milage. The early morning runs took their toll long since manifesting as tiredness/bad temper and general malaise - a real struggle in forcing myself to get up and run in the early am's. Weekend long runs have continued but mid-week efforts have gone by the wayside. Last four weekends have witnessed three hour runs and that will have to do it - with two weeks to go the right leg is painful as all hell, suggestions of a reoccurance of the muscle tear from the early season. Just trying to maintain fitness and weight and get some rest/healing so that come 22 November I will "toe the line" healthy and enthusiastic.
The long runs have generally been much faster than "ultrapace" (8-8:30 min/mile) but have left me worn out - one aspect that gives me hope is (as pointed out by a friends wife) I am not eating on my long runs and only drinking water. DOH! Almost certainly just hitting the wall due to lack of blood sugar -expecting the gatorade and food at the rest stops to sort that out come race day. This weekend did the long run at more like 'Ultra-pace" (over 9 min/mile) and took a gel midway - other than the right leg hurting felt damn good at the end.
Time to rest and heal!!
Biking has been good - last two weesk the nightride has been ACE!! All SS affairs (Brian now sporting a 29er Monocog) new trails and much fun. Latest edition saw six (count em, six) of us all 29er SSers hitting the trails - both HC and BC and riding for close to 3 hours, then berers at the cars. New trail BC side, (The Tunnel) all the good stuff represented, steepness, logs, kin great big rocks. Woo Hoo! Slippery as a slippery thing after light rain - glad I was wearing my pads cos I went down hard two or three times, but with the pads no real damage.
Sunday and MLW, Sean, Greg and DB hit the trails - Small Intestine, Ridge, and the old connector between Morning Choice and Ridge - looked like nobody had ridden the connector for a good long time, loads of virgin leaves. On a steep section MLW took a header over the bars, not too much damage but a few hours on the couch in the pm with an ice pack on a swollen knee!.
On well more running to do in next two weeks then I'm going to reast adn ride my bike(s) for a while.
Catch ya later
DogzBollux
Can't get rid of those,
Ultramarathon Blues"
Big miles are totally failing to materialize at the moment - and this is an issue! The plan was to have a couple of 100 mile weeks under my belt by now, no such luck. Longest weeks have just about topped 60 miles. That being said I've had more long runs (over 20 miles) heading up to the JFK 50 than I've ever strung together in one training block. Trouble is that at the moment neither the mind or the body is holding up too well to the increased running milage. The early morning runs took their toll long since manifesting as tiredness/bad temper and general malaise - a real struggle in forcing myself to get up and run in the early am's. Weekend long runs have continued but mid-week efforts have gone by the wayside. Last four weekends have witnessed three hour runs and that will have to do it - with two weeks to go the right leg is painful as all hell, suggestions of a reoccurance of the muscle tear from the early season. Just trying to maintain fitness and weight and get some rest/healing so that come 22 November I will "toe the line" healthy and enthusiastic.
The long runs have generally been much faster than "ultrapace" (8-8:30 min/mile) but have left me worn out - one aspect that gives me hope is (as pointed out by a friends wife) I am not eating on my long runs and only drinking water. DOH! Almost certainly just hitting the wall due to lack of blood sugar -expecting the gatorade and food at the rest stops to sort that out come race day. This weekend did the long run at more like 'Ultra-pace" (over 9 min/mile) and took a gel midway - other than the right leg hurting felt damn good at the end.
Time to rest and heal!!
Biking has been good - last two weesk the nightride has been ACE!! All SS affairs (Brian now sporting a 29er Monocog) new trails and much fun. Latest edition saw six (count em, six) of us all 29er SSers hitting the trails - both HC and BC and riding for close to 3 hours, then berers at the cars. New trail BC side, (The Tunnel) all the good stuff represented, steepness, logs, kin great big rocks. Woo Hoo! Slippery as a slippery thing after light rain - glad I was wearing my pads cos I went down hard two or three times, but with the pads no real damage.
Sunday and MLW, Sean, Greg and DB hit the trails - Small Intestine, Ridge, and the old connector between Morning Choice and Ridge - looked like nobody had ridden the connector for a good long time, loads of virgin leaves. On a steep section MLW took a header over the bars, not too much damage but a few hours on the couch in the pm with an ice pack on a swollen knee!.
On well more running to do in next two weeks then I'm going to reast adn ride my bike(s) for a while.
Catch ya later
DogzBollux
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Public Nudity!!!
Wow, this running malarky is really sucking up my time. Hence the lack of regular posts, when I should be sitting here tapping away at the keyboard - these days I am either getting ready for a run, running or too knackered after a run to do bugger all.
Not going to improve any until after November 22 either - hopefully after that the postings will resume a more regular schedule. Not that it matters apparently cos I read an article the other day that claimed the blog was "officially dead" as a phenomenon. According to this article blogging was obsolete and a waste of time - apparently it is "soooo 2004". The last comment triggered a brief moment of vertigo in "Yours Truly" - suddenly my mind went blank as I though "shit what year is it then?!" assuming that some hideous amount of time must have passed since 2004 and I must have somehow missed it!
Well training wise things were going pretty well - the trip to La Jolla allowed me to get three solid days in (though the traveling cost me a day each end).; As mentioned last post Wednesday saw me trucking away on the treadmill for an hour before hitting the local state park for a slow 4 miler in the evening. Thursday was another treadmill day - another hour and 8 miles done inside. Friday was pay dirt though!! Conference finished at 3pm meaning I had several hours of daylight to squander! Running kit on and headed into the State Park equipped with map - initial plan simple run every bloody trail in the park. Turns out it is a pretty small park! Ran down the park road and took every trail and was finished after an hour, so it was down to the beach and I thought I would simulate the JFK 50 (in miniature) by after a hilly run (and the first hour up and down the cliffs was kin hilly) a dead flat section. So I headed south along the beach towards what I assume was La Jolla. Round a cove and I'm chugging away - no glasses on so I can basically see just as far as the end of my running shoes. After 15 or 20 min it starts to dawn on me that - either all the people on the beach are wearing very pale swimsuits or............. they are not wearing any swimsuits at all! Turns out it is the latter! I am running through a nudist beach - great! I am conflicted as to whether I should "declothe" but I reckon that the risk of sunburn in delicate places is too much of a risk.
What I notice, as I run though the nudists is something I have thought during similar runs in Europe, that by the time a person is comfortable enough with their bodies' that they are willing to go naked - perhaps they shouldn't! Lots of tubby middle aged men (many with ponytails for some reason - it was like being at a naked Status Quo concert).
Oddly as I emerge from the south end of the nudist beach I run through a group setting up for a surf competition. Here the people involved are all young fit and (of course) fully clothed - seemed the wrong way round for some reason.
On my way back along the beach the nudists had organized themselves into teams and were playing (of all things) volleyball! WHY????? If you are going to be old, overweight and naked fine, but at least keep still! Don't go jumping about like an idiot after a ball - aesthetically very unpleasing, I was glad I didn't have my glasses on.
After my encounters on the beach I climbed the trails back to the road then took one last trip down the road to the beach, just so I could run back up it - fantastic. By now it was close to 2.5 hours I has been out - desperate to make three hours I ran past the hotel and ran round the neighbourhood until the 180 minutes was up. Longest run to date - hopefully around 22 miles, even got into an "ultra-groove" at the end slow and minimal effort.
Back in Md on Saturday and realized Todd's Sunday "screw football - lets mountain bike" event was the next day. Having been away for four days already I was happy to forgo this, but SWMBO was insistent that if we could make it work I should go! Happily the planets aligned (just about) and although the guys had to wait for me I made it to Todd's in time for the ride. Five takers, Todd (obviously), George, Rodger, Mark (a friend of Rodgers) and DB. Some of the trail I had ridden perviously with Todd and George as a night ride, but most was new to me. Awesome fun, wicked downhills, rocks, logs and some lung bursting climbs - managed to clock a respectable 18 miles in just over two hours before impending dark, cold and the draw of a hot tub, food and beer drove us back to Todd's. Beers were opened, the venison sandwiches (oh yeah we know how to live) were made, music was cranked up and we all got naked on Todd's back porch to hose off and get our swim suits on for the hot tub!
Relaxing in the hot tub and the realization that today is actually my 12th wedding anniversary hits me! Fortunately MLW has forgotten so my life is safe - but I cut the relaxation short to head home via the store to buy flowers and champagne for MLW - what a guy! In a bit of a rush at Safeway - need to get home. Stick my wallet in the pocket of my cargo shorts, which I have thrown on after the hot tub ( going commando as forgot the "Hanes") and set off running across the car lot. Now.... all this running has had a toll on my weight, and I am not the same size that I was in the summer when I bought my cargo shorts! Result? With the weight of my wallet and car keys the shorts are pulled clean over my hips to my knees! And I am left waddling along with the "wedding tackle" on view for anyone to witness. Fortunately I don't think I was witnessed by anyone, but i do hope that Safeway doesn't have good security cameras!!
Cheers
Dogzbollux
Not going to improve any until after November 22 either - hopefully after that the postings will resume a more regular schedule. Not that it matters apparently cos I read an article the other day that claimed the blog was "officially dead" as a phenomenon. According to this article blogging was obsolete and a waste of time - apparently it is "soooo 2004". The last comment triggered a brief moment of vertigo in "Yours Truly" - suddenly my mind went blank as I though "shit what year is it then?!" assuming that some hideous amount of time must have passed since 2004 and I must have somehow missed it!
Well training wise things were going pretty well - the trip to La Jolla allowed me to get three solid days in (though the traveling cost me a day each end).; As mentioned last post Wednesday saw me trucking away on the treadmill for an hour before hitting the local state park for a slow 4 miler in the evening. Thursday was another treadmill day - another hour and 8 miles done inside. Friday was pay dirt though!! Conference finished at 3pm meaning I had several hours of daylight to squander! Running kit on and headed into the State Park equipped with map - initial plan simple run every bloody trail in the park. Turns out it is a pretty small park! Ran down the park road and took every trail and was finished after an hour, so it was down to the beach and I thought I would simulate the JFK 50 (in miniature) by after a hilly run (and the first hour up and down the cliffs was kin hilly) a dead flat section. So I headed south along the beach towards what I assume was La Jolla. Round a cove and I'm chugging away - no glasses on so I can basically see just as far as the end of my running shoes. After 15 or 20 min it starts to dawn on me that - either all the people on the beach are wearing very pale swimsuits or............. they are not wearing any swimsuits at all! Turns out it is the latter! I am running through a nudist beach - great! I am conflicted as to whether I should "declothe" but I reckon that the risk of sunburn in delicate places is too much of a risk.
What I notice, as I run though the nudists is something I have thought during similar runs in Europe, that by the time a person is comfortable enough with their bodies' that they are willing to go naked - perhaps they shouldn't! Lots of tubby middle aged men (many with ponytails for some reason - it was like being at a naked Status Quo concert).
Oddly as I emerge from the south end of the nudist beach I run through a group setting up for a surf competition. Here the people involved are all young fit and (of course) fully clothed - seemed the wrong way round for some reason.
On my way back along the beach the nudists had organized themselves into teams and were playing (of all things) volleyball! WHY????? If you are going to be old, overweight and naked fine, but at least keep still! Don't go jumping about like an idiot after a ball - aesthetically very unpleasing, I was glad I didn't have my glasses on.
After my encounters on the beach I climbed the trails back to the road then took one last trip down the road to the beach, just so I could run back up it - fantastic. By now it was close to 2.5 hours I has been out - desperate to make three hours I ran past the hotel and ran round the neighbourhood until the 180 minutes was up. Longest run to date - hopefully around 22 miles, even got into an "ultra-groove" at the end slow and minimal effort.
Back in Md on Saturday and realized Todd's Sunday "screw football - lets mountain bike" event was the next day. Having been away for four days already I was happy to forgo this, but SWMBO was insistent that if we could make it work I should go! Happily the planets aligned (just about) and although the guys had to wait for me I made it to Todd's in time for the ride. Five takers, Todd (obviously), George, Rodger, Mark (a friend of Rodgers) and DB. Some of the trail I had ridden perviously with Todd and George as a night ride, but most was new to me. Awesome fun, wicked downhills, rocks, logs and some lung bursting climbs - managed to clock a respectable 18 miles in just over two hours before impending dark, cold and the draw of a hot tub, food and beer drove us back to Todd's. Beers were opened, the venison sandwiches (oh yeah we know how to live) were made, music was cranked up and we all got naked on Todd's back porch to hose off and get our swim suits on for the hot tub!
Relaxing in the hot tub and the realization that today is actually my 12th wedding anniversary hits me! Fortunately MLW has forgotten so my life is safe - but I cut the relaxation short to head home via the store to buy flowers and champagne for MLW - what a guy! In a bit of a rush at Safeway - need to get home. Stick my wallet in the pocket of my cargo shorts, which I have thrown on after the hot tub ( going commando as forgot the "Hanes") and set off running across the car lot. Now.... all this running has had a toll on my weight, and I am not the same size that I was in the summer when I bought my cargo shorts! Result? With the weight of my wallet and car keys the shorts are pulled clean over my hips to my knees! And I am left waddling along with the "wedding tackle" on view for anyone to witness. Fortunately I don't think I was witnessed by anyone, but i do hope that Safeway doesn't have good security cameras!!
Cheers
Dogzbollux
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
No Time!!!
Training is in full swing for the JFK and it's sucking up my "personal" time in a big way! So biking time is almost zero. Only real chance has been the night rides, managed a couple since the "fixin". Both have been as trios with George and Brian. Great rides, over two hours each time, hitting both BC and HC sides of Patapsco plenty of ups and downs and some really nice new areas of "trials-style" skills areas around the New Trail and Small Intestine trails. Over loggy sections and raised sections, lots of opportunity for falling (which I took full advantage of). Even hit the "old Ridge Trail" both uphill and downhill, gut busting and ass puckering respectively.
Most of my time obviously, however, has been spent running - my plan is based on trying to get to about 100 miles a week! Wow, that is far more than I have ever managed before - but then a 50 mile run is nearly 20 miles than I have ever run at one time, so heroic measures are clearly in order.
Started off early in September with about thirty miles a week, averaging running 4 to 5 days a week. Now it's up to high forties and low fifties a week and averaging 5 to 7 days a week running. Getting to higher weekly mileages is looking tricky, even with long runs topping 20 miles. Every week day lunchtime (when at all possible) a run is on the cards short (4-6 miles) only thing I can do to make these of value is to try and inject some speed. Whilst long runs (over 15 miles) are run at pretty slow pace (8:30/mile or more) shorter runs are taken at sub 8 min/mile and even sub 7:30 min/mile. I am hoping that this "speed" work will translate into ease at slower long distances. The plan is really to use back to back running days (at speed) and even doubling up runs some days and trying to get miles in any way I can. Looks at the moment that 100 miles/week will be a real struggle but with "fast"runs on tired legs I hope I am building in strength and endurance that will be up to the job come 22 November - just got to do my best and see what will happen.
At the moment I am enjoying a few days on the West Coast (La Jolla) at a conference. Making the most of the opportunity - today I managed 8 miles at lunch on a treadmill (how I hate those things) but also a 4 mile jaunt round Torrey Pines State Reserve which took me down a fantastic trail to the Pacific Ocean, along the beach then up a "beach" of a hill climb back up the beach access road back to the hotel. Loving it!! It would be nice to have included some photos (as the views in the Reserve were absolutely amazing) but of course in my supreme wisdom I left my camera at home! Oh well.
For now "that's all Folks"
DogzBollux.
Most of my time obviously, however, has been spent running - my plan is based on trying to get to about 100 miles a week! Wow, that is far more than I have ever managed before - but then a 50 mile run is nearly 20 miles than I have ever run at one time, so heroic measures are clearly in order.
Started off early in September with about thirty miles a week, averaging running 4 to 5 days a week. Now it's up to high forties and low fifties a week and averaging 5 to 7 days a week running. Getting to higher weekly mileages is looking tricky, even with long runs topping 20 miles. Every week day lunchtime (when at all possible) a run is on the cards short (4-6 miles) only thing I can do to make these of value is to try and inject some speed. Whilst long runs (over 15 miles) are run at pretty slow pace (8:30/mile or more) shorter runs are taken at sub 8 min/mile and even sub 7:30 min/mile. I am hoping that this "speed" work will translate into ease at slower long distances. The plan is really to use back to back running days (at speed) and even doubling up runs some days and trying to get miles in any way I can. Looks at the moment that 100 miles/week will be a real struggle but with "fast"runs on tired legs I hope I am building in strength and endurance that will be up to the job come 22 November - just got to do my best and see what will happen.
At the moment I am enjoying a few days on the West Coast (La Jolla) at a conference. Making the most of the opportunity - today I managed 8 miles at lunch on a treadmill (how I hate those things) but also a 4 mile jaunt round Torrey Pines State Reserve which took me down a fantastic trail to the Pacific Ocean, along the beach then up a "beach" of a hill climb back up the beach access road back to the hotel. Loving it!! It would be nice to have included some photos (as the views in the Reserve were absolutely amazing) but of course in my supreme wisdom I left my camera at home! Oh well.
For now "that's all Folks"
DogzBollux.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
This Dog is Fixed!!!
Well I finally "manned up" and got it done! It's a strange old world - many people swear that as time goes on owners and their dogs start to be more and more similar. In a bizarre twist on this paradigm this particular Dog now more closely resembles his favorite road bike, in that we are both, now, fixed!
It's been a long time in happening, I knew I was in trouble when SWMBO asked me over a year ago "So do you want any more kids?". If only all questions were that easy to answer, almost as easy to answer as "does my arse look big in these jeans?". The answer is the same to "no bloody way!!" MLW's next comment was "well you'd better get to the doctor's and get yourself sorted out". Getting myself sorted out is a common refrain in my house, I fall off my bike and MLW tells me to go to the docs and "get myself sorted out". I have a cough or the flu....... same instruction. But this time the inference was somewhat more sinister!!! So I did what every red blooded man would do, I procrastinated. There was always an excuse, a race to train for a business trip. But finally I decided that enough was enough and made the appointment.
So it was that on the last Friday in September I found myself in a room with two nurses, me on a bed with the old wedding tackle out! Not as erotic as I would have thought! Maybe it was the presence (in the same room) of a scalpel with my name on it! The nurses were very nice and chatted away making me feel as relaxed as possible, we talked about work, kids all the usual stuff, even "Bring your child to work day" and how that didn't really work when you were a nurse who worked in a Urology Clinic! The only important thing I was told was to place my hands either across my chest or behind my head. As the nurse pointedly informed me under no circumstances were my hands to stray below my waist line - "Dr Applestein does not need any help today with your procedure" were the nurse's exact words!
I try and be as relaxed as possible as we wait for Dr Applestein, calm is good I decide. Nothing I can do will make this any better or worse and so I'm better off just going wit the flow.
Eventually Dr Applestein appears and it's "Lights, Camera, Action" time - actually there are no cameras (thank Christ). Dr A is about as nonchalant as it is possible to be. "Good afternoon, soon have this sorted out! Oh you've done a good job with the shaving!" And away we go! "You'll feel a pinch and a burn" - normally Dr speak for "this is going to hurt like hell" but in fact it isn't too bad. First shot (as always) is the worse then as the anaesthetic starts to take you can't feel the rest - no worse than a shot at the dentist's (though a bit lower).
"Relax, relax, bloody relax!" I try and tell myself. The first side is uncomfortable and there is, if I'm being honest a bit of pain. Enough to make me curl my toes and tense my arms a few times.But then it doesn't get any worse, I assume the anaesthetic has really kicked in now. I'm aware of a few tugs and a quite loud "snip" sound. I am not looking forward to the repeat performance on the other side but in fact it is a piece of cake! The "old boy" is completely without feeling at this point and it Dr A had gone at it with a chainsaw I doubt I would have flinched. Guess I must have been a bit tense though as by the end of the "procedure" my arms (behind my head) and shoulders are completely numb!
About 20 min after Dr A's arrival and the nurse is washing me down and plonking gauze on the DogzBollux and helping me on with a rather natty little pair of fishnet hotpants!
"Any questions?" says Dr A. "Erm yeah" how long before I can run and bike? The answer astounds me, no biking for a few days but if I want to run on Monday go for it! In fact the doc's exact words are "only light activity for two days, Monday...... If you want to play football, go for it!" Then the wisest words I have heard for a long time - "expect some swelling. Size wise, grapefruit is fine, watermelon, call me!"
I'm advised to go home and take some Tylenol and prepare an icepack in the two hours I have before the anaesthetic wears off. But again to be honest it really wasn't that bad, not something I'd want to do every week but I was still able to head out to the Liquor store that evening to get beers to while away my evening! And the running/biking background avoids awkward questions. On two or three occasions over the weekend as I hobbled into places (including the Liquor store and my work's "Family Picnic") people have come up to me and said "Oh fallen off your bike again?" There has to be some benefits.
By the Monday and things had settled, still a bit tender but managed my first run as the Doctor ordered!
Cheers
DogzBollux
It's been a long time in happening, I knew I was in trouble when SWMBO asked me over a year ago "So do you want any more kids?". If only all questions were that easy to answer, almost as easy to answer as "does my arse look big in these jeans?". The answer is the same to "no bloody way!!" MLW's next comment was "well you'd better get to the doctor's and get yourself sorted out". Getting myself sorted out is a common refrain in my house, I fall off my bike and MLW tells me to go to the docs and "get myself sorted out". I have a cough or the flu....... same instruction. But this time the inference was somewhat more sinister!!! So I did what every red blooded man would do, I procrastinated. There was always an excuse, a race to train for a business trip. But finally I decided that enough was enough and made the appointment.
So it was that on the last Friday in September I found myself in a room with two nurses, me on a bed with the old wedding tackle out! Not as erotic as I would have thought! Maybe it was the presence (in the same room) of a scalpel with my name on it! The nurses were very nice and chatted away making me feel as relaxed as possible, we talked about work, kids all the usual stuff, even "Bring your child to work day" and how that didn't really work when you were a nurse who worked in a Urology Clinic! The only important thing I was told was to place my hands either across my chest or behind my head. As the nurse pointedly informed me under no circumstances were my hands to stray below my waist line - "Dr Applestein does not need any help today with your procedure" were the nurse's exact words!
I try and be as relaxed as possible as we wait for Dr Applestein, calm is good I decide. Nothing I can do will make this any better or worse and so I'm better off just going wit the flow.
Eventually Dr Applestein appears and it's "Lights, Camera, Action" time - actually there are no cameras (thank Christ). Dr A is about as nonchalant as it is possible to be. "Good afternoon, soon have this sorted out! Oh you've done a good job with the shaving!" And away we go! "You'll feel a pinch and a burn" - normally Dr speak for "this is going to hurt like hell" but in fact it isn't too bad. First shot (as always) is the worse then as the anaesthetic starts to take you can't feel the rest - no worse than a shot at the dentist's (though a bit lower).
"Relax, relax, bloody relax!" I try and tell myself. The first side is uncomfortable and there is, if I'm being honest a bit of pain. Enough to make me curl my toes and tense my arms a few times.But then it doesn't get any worse, I assume the anaesthetic has really kicked in now. I'm aware of a few tugs and a quite loud "snip" sound. I am not looking forward to the repeat performance on the other side but in fact it is a piece of cake! The "old boy" is completely without feeling at this point and it Dr A had gone at it with a chainsaw I doubt I would have flinched. Guess I must have been a bit tense though as by the end of the "procedure" my arms (behind my head) and shoulders are completely numb!
About 20 min after Dr A's arrival and the nurse is washing me down and plonking gauze on the DogzBollux and helping me on with a rather natty little pair of fishnet hotpants!
"Any questions?" says Dr A. "Erm yeah" how long before I can run and bike? The answer astounds me, no biking for a few days but if I want to run on Monday go for it! In fact the doc's exact words are "only light activity for two days, Monday...... If you want to play football, go for it!" Then the wisest words I have heard for a long time - "expect some swelling. Size wise, grapefruit is fine, watermelon, call me!"
I'm advised to go home and take some Tylenol and prepare an icepack in the two hours I have before the anaesthetic wears off. But again to be honest it really wasn't that bad, not something I'd want to do every week but I was still able to head out to the Liquor store that evening to get beers to while away my evening! And the running/biking background avoids awkward questions. On two or three occasions over the weekend as I hobbled into places (including the Liquor store and my work's "Family Picnic") people have come up to me and said "Oh fallen off your bike again?" There has to be some benefits.
By the Monday and things had settled, still a bit tender but managed my first run as the Doctor ordered!
Cheers
DogzBollux
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Crazy Times!
Since the Massanutten debacle life has failed to get any more sane.
Seems that the only time I get to do any real training is when the sun is nowhere to be seen and the bloody moon is out! One single solitary mtb ride - yep you've guessed it, a night ride. Initial plans were for a fairly major turn out, but as it transpired there was just Brian, Jon (from SSOFT) and DB. Still with Jon on a 29er SS it was good to have the SSers outnumber the gearies for a change. Changed things up a bit - Small Intestine, Ridge, Cascade then up to the old railway ties. At the junction hung a left down the shaley descent to the road. The results of the hours running in prep for the JFK 50 are becoming apparent, legs and lungs are fine but my bloody technical riding is (as Sean would describe it) "pants". As a result I'm up front pushing on the uphills then playing the "rusty wheel" on all the downhills.
Head across the swinging bridge and the pattern continues, fine up the climbs but hating every minute of the technical descents. Finish off up the water bar and backwards on Small Intestine for a nice 2 hour ride before we adjourned to the cars and a couple of beers - Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale - not as bad as it sounds!
Most of effort currently running though - trying to put in miles wherever they can be inched into my schedule - lunchtime runs and early mornings. Oh the joys of being an ultrarunner, Saturday morning and the 5am alarm call. On the road for 5:30am and 15 miles done by 7:30am. Home in time to take MLW a cup of tea in bed and make the children pancakes before the sun is even up properly! Sunday night it's another 10 miles in the dark and Tuesday morning another 5:30am start to get 10 miles in before work. Still only another 9 weeks to go! In all honesty I'm going to need every second of those 9 weeks if I am to get my fitness level to anywhere near where it needs to be, weekly mileage (even with early starts) if topping off in the 40s, and I need to get up to the 80+ mark pretty damn soon. Wish me luck!
Cheers
DogzBollux
Seems that the only time I get to do any real training is when the sun is nowhere to be seen and the bloody moon is out! One single solitary mtb ride - yep you've guessed it, a night ride. Initial plans were for a fairly major turn out, but as it transpired there was just Brian, Jon (from SSOFT) and DB. Still with Jon on a 29er SS it was good to have the SSers outnumber the gearies for a change. Changed things up a bit - Small Intestine, Ridge, Cascade then up to the old railway ties. At the junction hung a left down the shaley descent to the road. The results of the hours running in prep for the JFK 50 are becoming apparent, legs and lungs are fine but my bloody technical riding is (as Sean would describe it) "pants". As a result I'm up front pushing on the uphills then playing the "rusty wheel" on all the downhills.
Head across the swinging bridge and the pattern continues, fine up the climbs but hating every minute of the technical descents. Finish off up the water bar and backwards on Small Intestine for a nice 2 hour ride before we adjourned to the cars and a couple of beers - Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale - not as bad as it sounds!
Most of effort currently running though - trying to put in miles wherever they can be inched into my schedule - lunchtime runs and early mornings. Oh the joys of being an ultrarunner, Saturday morning and the 5am alarm call. On the road for 5:30am and 15 miles done by 7:30am. Home in time to take MLW a cup of tea in bed and make the children pancakes before the sun is even up properly! Sunday night it's another 10 miles in the dark and Tuesday morning another 5:30am start to get 10 miles in before work. Still only another 9 weeks to go! In all honesty I'm going to need every second of those 9 weeks if I am to get my fitness level to anywhere near where it needs to be, weekly mileage (even with early starts) if topping off in the 40s, and I need to get up to the 80+ mark pretty damn soon. Wish me luck!
Cheers
DogzBollux
Friday, September 19, 2008
Massanutten Mountain Madness
Where to start?
I guess the beginning is as good as anywhere.
Sloped off work a tad early to avoid Friday rush hour misery, quick visit to liquor store to grab a six pack and then load Sean's stuff into the Bolluxmobile. Off we head to Va and a weekend of mountain bike madness. Using Sean's Garmin makes the trip easy and even with a stop for dinner at Winchester we are at the Elizabeth Furnace campground by 9:20pm. Smashing! Except they lock the bloody gates at 9pm. Sean and I have a short discussion of the options, we are pretty chilled cos we know we can camp "illegally" at the picnic ground down the road and be off before the Ranger's come calling. Just then a flashlight interrupts our chat and the old guy would is the volunteer camp warden has come out to see what we are up to. We ask if there is anywhere we can dump the car and walk into the camp ground with our stuff - old guy just says "don't tell anyone I did this, and be quite setting up" as he unlocks the gate and lets us in - What a GENT!
WE quickly select a pitch as far away from other people as possible and while Sean heads off to complete our campsite registration I put the tent up. Fifteen minutes later and we are in the tent (sheltering from light drizzle) with beers in hand contemplating the fun to come. Our conversation is interrupted (for the second time tonight) by the elderly camp warden who has come to check we have registered. He politely ignores the fact that we are drinking beer in contravention of the clearly posted NO ALCOHOL signs (I do like this bloke) but warns us that we don't want to leave our cooler outside as it may attract the "site bear", nuff said! The possibility that he is overstating the bear risk is quickly negated by the loud banging (in the not too far distance) of the aforesaid bear raiding the campsite trash cans! Somewhat nervously then we turn out the lights, stow the cooler in the Bolluxmobile and drift to sleep to the sounds of "Yogi" doing his best Keith Moon impression in the darkness.
Next morning and we are non-too quick getting our arses in gear so it is 9am before we are breakfasted, gears up and hitting the trail.
Navigation is fool proof, blazes are clear and the trails are good! First couple of miles are pretty benign a gentle break in before Signal Knob. Then the Massanutten Trail "proper" starts and all hell breaks loose! Seriously rock but rideable trails (on which we pass two other mtbers, the only bikers we see all weekend) to start with then just too bloody steep and rocky for words! We push!
I guess the beginning is as good as anywhere.
Sloped off work a tad early to avoid Friday rush hour misery, quick visit to liquor store to grab a six pack and then load Sean's stuff into the Bolluxmobile. Off we head to Va and a weekend of mountain bike madness. Using Sean's Garmin makes the trip easy and even with a stop for dinner at Winchester we are at the Elizabeth Furnace campground by 9:20pm. Smashing! Except they lock the bloody gates at 9pm. Sean and I have a short discussion of the options, we are pretty chilled cos we know we can camp "illegally" at the picnic ground down the road and be off before the Ranger's come calling. Just then a flashlight interrupts our chat and the old guy would is the volunteer camp warden has come out to see what we are up to. We ask if there is anywhere we can dump the car and walk into the camp ground with our stuff - old guy just says "don't tell anyone I did this, and be quite setting up" as he unlocks the gate and lets us in - What a GENT!
WE quickly select a pitch as far away from other people as possible and while Sean heads off to complete our campsite registration I put the tent up. Fifteen minutes later and we are in the tent (sheltering from light drizzle) with beers in hand contemplating the fun to come. Our conversation is interrupted (for the second time tonight) by the elderly camp warden who has come to check we have registered. He politely ignores the fact that we are drinking beer in contravention of the clearly posted NO ALCOHOL signs (I do like this bloke) but warns us that we don't want to leave our cooler outside as it may attract the "site bear", nuff said! The possibility that he is overstating the bear risk is quickly negated by the loud banging (in the not too far distance) of the aforesaid bear raiding the campsite trash cans! Somewhat nervously then we turn out the lights, stow the cooler in the Bolluxmobile and drift to sleep to the sounds of "Yogi" doing his best Keith Moon impression in the darkness.
Next morning and we are non-too quick getting our arses in gear so it is 9am before we are breakfasted, gears up and hitting the trail.
Ready to go - day one
Navigation is fool proof, blazes are clear and the trails are good! First couple of miles are pretty benign a gentle break in before Signal Knob. Then the Massanutten Trail "proper" starts and all hell breaks loose! Seriously rock but rideable trails (on which we pass two other mtbers, the only bikers we see all weekend) to start with then just too bloody steep and rocky for words! We push!
Mountain biking at its best!!
The we push some more! We are overtaken by some walkers who (i) look very bloody fit and well equipped and (ii) are taking two days to hike the 11 mile loop up and over Signal Knob! Alarm bells start ringing in the distant recesses of my subconscious. How much fun is it possible to have pushing your bike up a rocky scree laden mountain for over two hours? Bugger all. We slog away in the heat, sweat is dripping off us in buckets before we are even half way to the top, but eventually we reach flat ground and even manage to ride our bikes a bit (passing the walking group) until we hit the milestones of (i) the TV tower and then (i) Signal Knob overlook. I am quietly excited as I vaguely remember from the Bike magazine article that precipitated this adventure that the descent from Signal Knob is reported to be a blistering, rocky funhouse of an experience! Bit of an anticlimax when I realize that the descent reported is what we have just spent the past 2 hours pushing or F'in bikes up and that our route takes us down the mountain on a fireroad! Still too knackered to worry too much, just nice to be sitting on my bike for a change.
At the lake at the base of the mountain we hang a right and enjoy some pretty ridable trail until disaster strikes. Sean is dog tired and misjudges a rooty section with the result he hits the ground pretty hard on his right wrist. Nothing broken but the wrist hampers him for the rest of the day and the bruising to his thumb is enough to be painful even now. After a too short trail and then fireroad section we have to climb back to the ridge. Another 30 minute hike-a-bike up Patapscoesque mud and rock trail and by the time we are at the ridge line we are both exhausted! I honestly think that (at this point) if Sean had the energy he would have beat me to death with his bike pump for dragging him out on this "adventure". And things only got better! The ridge riding was rocky, twisting and had enough sudden short steep climbs to keep us walking, in our exhausted state, for a good deal of the time. Progress was painfully slow and the original target of New Market was looking decidedly dodgy. By 2 pm (5 hours in) we were nowhere near our projected lunchtime destination (and water fill up spot). Water was running short and things looked bad. By 3pm and things were seriously in danger of getting ugly. Out of water and we were both basically beat up. At this point all thoughts of finishing our original route were abandoned and my only objective was to get off the mountain and get some water. As luck would have it at this point the trail began to get a lot more groomed - clearly we were approaching civilization. Oh what bliss a road can b, as we stumbled out onto a "chip and tar" road that the map quickly confirmed lead down to Woodstock. From the road the valley looked like a map laid out before us and the true extent of the days elevation gain hit home. As we flew down the road at breakneck speed over corrugated sections and round several switchbacks the realization that we will have to climb back up this hill vaguely occurs, but is driven away by a primal need for water and rest.
Sat outside Woodstock Food Lion and the prospect of advancing any further is quickly quashed. We fill out bottles with water, we drink Gatorade and beer (feels good!) and eat potato chips. Then we book into the Holiday Inn Express where the nice lady behind the reception desk does not even blink as we wheel our bikes pass her and into our room. 4:30pm and our riding day is over, 6:30 (when MLW calls to see how we are) and we are both asleep. Major "boys' night out" is a non-starter and is replaced by a carry out pizza, a six pack and watching "Erin Brockovich" on the hotel room TV. I fall asleep long before the end and wake up the next day fully clothed.
Outside Holiday Inn -Woodstock -day two
Day two and it is somewhat gingerly that we head out of Woodstock, knowing that the day's first business is with the climb to Woodstock Tower (at an elevation close to 2000 ft).
Savoring the view of what's to come - over 1000 ft climb to Woodstock Tower
Over the bridge by the dam and immediately the road tilts upwards - I start my stopwatch to document the climb! On paper this looks a dream of a climb, chip and tar surface, switchbacks the kind of climb that people would pay to climb. But that's probably on a road bike, not a single speed Mtb and with a 20 lb pack on your back. The fist time I look at my stopwatch it says 5 min (and I'm already gasping). But I get a second wind and some kind of rhythm, stand for a while till the quads and back start to hurt, then sit till the calves start to complain. Then 12 min have passed, cars driving down and coming up contain spectators that all grin and give either a wave or thumbs up - and for a while I feel like a real cyclist. By 18 min I am beginning to drag - and it's time to start making deals with myself. I will pedal for 40 min then get off and rest (even if I am not at the top). At 20 min I start the counting down, but then in no time I turn a corner and recognize the trail head we emerged from yesterday! This means only about another 200 ft to the top! With renewed vigor I stomp the pedals and with the watch reading 24 min and change I have reached Woodstock Tower. I dump the bike and stagger around a bit, a big sweaty blob. Every flying insect in 100 miles is attracted to me and soon I am sat in the midst of a gently buzzing cloud waiting for Sean. As he "summits' I take the required photo to record his misery and then we head down the mountain to Woodstock Gap.
After Saturday's snails paced progress Sunday has been a blur of speed and by 1am (only 2 hours in) we are on the road at Detrick only 12 or so miles from the campsite at Elizabeth Furnace. Here I shamelessly play on Sean's exultation at conquering the Woodstock Tower climb and persuade him (against all the promises he had made to himself) to head back onto the Massanutten Trail at Verch Gap. Initially the trail is great, an overgrown fire road with a few washed out stream crossings for added excitement. Soon we are back on the "Orange" Massanutten Trail and for a while the going is pretty good. Rocky as hell but the elevation gain is manageable. But I know what is ahead. The trail takes a sudden right and it's hike-a-bike time again as we crawl to the top of the ridge. Another hour and a half or so to the summit and a great view over the valley to the east - complete with eagles soaring!
DogzBollux at peak of elevation gain (day two)
At the top Sean is about wiped and for both of us progress has again slowed to a crawl. A look at the map allows us to plan a bale out route at Sherman Gap if needed and we agree that if we are not at this trail head by 2pm this is the route we will take. Progress along the ridge is as slow as Saturday - bits are rideable but long sections are not, push/ride/push repeat. At 1;40pm we hit the trail head at Sherman Gap but we are both done in again so we opt for this route and head down a seriously steep rocky trail. After the first half mile it flattens out enough to ride and we make sketchy progress down into the valley. Then sections of the trail become more Patapscoesque again and we have some fun hopping logs and even muscling up some short rocky climbs. The last 2.5 miles seem to go on forever but our wussiness is then exposed as we find a trail marker noting that the section we have just suffered on for seemingly hours is part of the Old Dominion 100 mile Trail Run! At the marker we head right toward the campsite and soon we can hear voices of children playing - civilization!! Past a swimming hole with families enjoying the late summer heat that we could to be honest done without today and then we hit paved road at the picnic area. A short hop along the road and we are back at the campground where we collapse next to the water pump, fill our bottles and drink!! Cold water has never tasted so good!! Two days of getting our asses kicked by the Massanutten Mountain Trail are complete. Old Camp Ground Guy comes out to see how we have fared and we have to admit we failed miserably in our original quest. "Well you boys have more gumption than me getting over them mountains on a bike" are his kind words and we head back to the tent and Bolluxmobile. 30 min later and the tent is in the van and we are heading out! Beers are opened as we hit the road and we listen to good old fashioned rock music all the way home! magic weekend, tough as old boots but worth every miserable second - I am already planning a second attempt at the Massanutten Mountain Trail for 2009.
In the wise words of Alanis Morissette "I recommend biting off more than you can chew to anyone, I certainly do". Yes the Massanutten Mountain Trail was a "Jagged Little Pill" but worth the experience! And "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" as Homer Simpson once said (though I think Nietzsche may have said it first).
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Back to Night Riding
It's been ages! Weather and scheduling issues have kept the Night-Ride group for convening for what seems like a bloody lifetime. Well that all changes last week, emails, texts, smoke-bloody-signals, whatever it took were exchanged and resulted in George, Brian and DB meeting up finally for a good old fashioned blow out.
Todd was absent partly due to some exams-thing coming up in the next few weeks but more importantly due to an ankle injury picked up during the Bike Polo escapade up at Ganoga - Bummer!
Ride started as any good NR should, with a trip up Small Intestine. Disaster is narrowly avoided as the rickety bridge is not so much rickety but more collapsed! Fortunately having got the new light i had just enough warning to both brake myself and to shout a warning to the others (close on my heals) before we all disappeared into the abyss. The section just after Small Intestine (with all the sticks/logs laid on the trail) was in pretty dodgy shape too, yielding the first fall of the night when George lost his front wheel on a log lying across the trail at about 45 degrees.
As it's been so long we were all full of enthusiasm and after a short confab decide the "Old Ridge Trail" uphill is in order. Tough, tough, tough! Fortunately we have Brian with us to show us how it is done. thence onto Ridge and a foolish decision (by Yours Truly) to take the descent from Ridge(just before the Cascade rock garden) down to the road! This descent scares me rigid in the daytime so at night I am a nervous wreck. George and Brian disappear into the gloom and leave me picking my way down pitifully slowly. This descent was the inspiration for the "SloMo Endo" post as a little over half way down I perform this little stunt to end up in a tangled mess amidst frame and undergrowth. Nothing too major though post ride checking reveals I've removed a fair amount of skin in various (some rather delicate) area of my body!
Once at the road it's over the Swing bridge and up what has now replaced Vineyard as my favorite climb on the BC side - the Convent climb! No dogs about this time to make friends with. Then it's a circuitous route to Bullrun and then we head back to HC via the waterbar and take Morning Choice back to the cars. Fun, fun, fun. About 2 hours worth of solid effort - feeling quite good (limitation of beer intake for past month is beginning to show effects both weight and fitness wise) and we have certainly earned our beer and pesto-bread "post-ride repast". Surely there should be a law about having this much fun - Oh yeah I think there probably is!
Till next time
DogzBollux
Todd was absent partly due to some exams-thing coming up in the next few weeks but more importantly due to an ankle injury picked up during the Bike Polo escapade up at Ganoga - Bummer!
Ride started as any good NR should, with a trip up Small Intestine. Disaster is narrowly avoided as the rickety bridge is not so much rickety but more collapsed! Fortunately having got the new light i had just enough warning to both brake myself and to shout a warning to the others (close on my heals) before we all disappeared into the abyss. The section just after Small Intestine (with all the sticks/logs laid on the trail) was in pretty dodgy shape too, yielding the first fall of the night when George lost his front wheel on a log lying across the trail at about 45 degrees.
As it's been so long we were all full of enthusiasm and after a short confab decide the "Old Ridge Trail" uphill is in order. Tough, tough, tough! Fortunately we have Brian with us to show us how it is done. thence onto Ridge and a foolish decision (by Yours Truly) to take the descent from Ridge(just before the Cascade rock garden) down to the road! This descent scares me rigid in the daytime so at night I am a nervous wreck. George and Brian disappear into the gloom and leave me picking my way down pitifully slowly. This descent was the inspiration for the "SloMo Endo" post as a little over half way down I perform this little stunt to end up in a tangled mess amidst frame and undergrowth. Nothing too major though post ride checking reveals I've removed a fair amount of skin in various (some rather delicate) area of my body!
Once at the road it's over the Swing bridge and up what has now replaced Vineyard as my favorite climb on the BC side - the Convent climb! No dogs about this time to make friends with. Then it's a circuitous route to Bullrun and then we head back to HC via the waterbar and take Morning Choice back to the cars. Fun, fun, fun. About 2 hours worth of solid effort - feeling quite good (limitation of beer intake for past month is beginning to show effects both weight and fitness wise) and we have certainly earned our beer and pesto-bread "post-ride repast". Surely there should be a law about having this much fun - Oh yeah I think there probably is!
Till next time
DogzBollux
Friday, September 5, 2008
DogzBollux SloMo Endo!
I've been practicing this for a while now - but I think I have finally got it nailed so I am happy to present it to the world at large!
I have now developed my very own trademark mtb manoeuvre. A bit like the Yurchenko loop was named after the gymnast Natalia Yurchenko who first perfected the move I've decided to name my move the "DogzBollux SloMo Endo". It's a bit like a regular Endo (in that the result is that you end up in a pathetic heap on the trail with a mouth full of dirt) but with the added element of happening REALLY, REALLY slowly!!
The importance of the defining lack of speed is two fold. Firstly, it gives anyone you are riding with plenty of time to work out what is about to happen, get ready to start laughing and get their cameras ready (even nip back to the car to fetch a camera if necessary). And secondly it gives you ample time to realize just what a burk you are and how much this is about to hurt!
To fully master the DogzBolllux SloMo Endo follow these easy to remember instructions (but remember folks it will possibly take years, if ever, to fully perfect this particular move)
Step One. Find a suitable downhill trail - trail choice is key! It has to be just steep enough to scare the bejezuz out of a wuss like me but ridable enough for the guys I'm riding with to bomb down with ease.
Step two. Locate on the given trail a drop of approximately 6-8 inches (any bigger and the chances of a nice ordinary Endo are greatly increased)
Step three. As your front wheel goes over the drop keep your weight just far enough back to avoid going straight into the dirt, but just far enough forward to ensure you have no chance of actually making the drop.
Step three is where the real skill comes in! It takes many attempts to judge the balance point correctly! If you get too far back (perhaps even getting behind your saddle) then there is a real danger that you will clear the obstacle with relative ease and actually look like you have some technical ability and are not a complete idiot (this is to be avoided at all costs). If on the other hand you get the balance just right you can get your rear wheel to suspend in mid air for an inordinate amount of time, without ever having any real possibility of not going over your handlebars. If your speed is sufficiently low you just kind of hang there for several seconds before you crash unceremoniously into the trail!! For extra style points you may even be able to snag your crotch on your bar stem as you head over your bars (this extra dimension should not be attempted until you have mastered the basic DogzBollux SloMo Endo however).
Cheers
DogzBollux
I have now developed my very own trademark mtb manoeuvre. A bit like the Yurchenko loop was named after the gymnast Natalia Yurchenko who first perfected the move I've decided to name my move the "DogzBollux SloMo Endo". It's a bit like a regular Endo (in that the result is that you end up in a pathetic heap on the trail with a mouth full of dirt) but with the added element of happening REALLY, REALLY slowly!!
The importance of the defining lack of speed is two fold. Firstly, it gives anyone you are riding with plenty of time to work out what is about to happen, get ready to start laughing and get their cameras ready (even nip back to the car to fetch a camera if necessary). And secondly it gives you ample time to realize just what a burk you are and how much this is about to hurt!
To fully master the DogzBolllux SloMo Endo follow these easy to remember instructions (but remember folks it will possibly take years, if ever, to fully perfect this particular move)
Step One. Find a suitable downhill trail - trail choice is key! It has to be just steep enough to scare the bejezuz out of a wuss like me but ridable enough for the guys I'm riding with to bomb down with ease.
Step two. Locate on the given trail a drop of approximately 6-8 inches (any bigger and the chances of a nice ordinary Endo are greatly increased)
Step three. As your front wheel goes over the drop keep your weight just far enough back to avoid going straight into the dirt, but just far enough forward to ensure you have no chance of actually making the drop.
Step three is where the real skill comes in! It takes many attempts to judge the balance point correctly! If you get too far back (perhaps even getting behind your saddle) then there is a real danger that you will clear the obstacle with relative ease and actually look like you have some technical ability and are not a complete idiot (this is to be avoided at all costs). If on the other hand you get the balance just right you can get your rear wheel to suspend in mid air for an inordinate amount of time, without ever having any real possibility of not going over your handlebars. If your speed is sufficiently low you just kind of hang there for several seconds before you crash unceremoniously into the trail!! For extra style points you may even be able to snag your crotch on your bar stem as you head over your bars (this extra dimension should not be attempted until you have mastered the basic DogzBollux SloMo Endo however).
Cheers
DogzBollux
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Labor Day & Ganogathon (Race Report)
Life type stuff and weather has conspired to keep me away from my beloved 29er Monocog lately. To be honest I couldn't even remember the last time I'd ridden the beast! Weekends had been chewed up by family trips, including a trip back to the home country for my Mum's surprise 80th Birthday Party - Rockin.
Well the Labor day weekend was fully of bike related potential as the whole Bollux clan headed to deepest PA for a weekend with friends at Ganoga Lake. A mere 200 miles from the Bollux mansion and no chance to leave the DC area until 4pm on the Friday - in the pissing sodding rain with the rest of humanity. Never going to be a great journey, 2 hours to cover first 40 miles and life is grim. Despite dodgy start and a rather charming tradition of failing to actually signpost road names in rural PA (making even Mapquest directions hard to follow) we actually arrive at the base of the "mountain" we are staying on by 10pm - smashing!! Unfortunately we contrive to spend the next 90 minutes driving up and down the f'in mountain trying to find the road to the neighborhood we need, i the peeing rain and with fog so dense it's impossible to see the far side of the road. To make matters more interesting the local authorities obviously heard we were coming and after over 20 years decided now was the time to rename on of the rural roads we needed to take!
Nevermind, by midnight I was happily sucking down a beer (or two) at the lake in preparation for the weekends fun and shenanigans!
Saturday morning an it's time for the Ganogathon!!! An off road triathlon put together by fellow "night-rider" Todd for the benefit of residents and guests of the community. 1/2 mile lake swim, 8 mile Mtb and 2.5 mile trail run. Few "locals" take up the challenge but the participation from the Md-contingent is sparse. George is absent with good reason, but others (who shall remain nameless) have no excuse and just wuss it! At the allotted start time (10am) the lake is shrouded in think mist - no chance of seeing the buoy. I'm having very serious second thoughts (swimming being a complete bloody mystery to me). the race is postponed for 15 min and miraculously by the new start all is good and sighting in the water is a doddle. Clearest lake water I have ever experienced and at 68oF its a little cold for the Americans among us, but to us Brits it feels practically topical. I start next to a young guy wearing a NYC swimming club cap - "oh shite a pro" I think but a we head off I don't seem to loose any ground?! Either I've suddenly become a proficient swimmer or this guy is pants! Guess which? Yeah O.K. but I still have one of my better swims, actually exiting the water third from last (two placed higher than expected).
Where's the lake gone?
On dry land and we are more in my element - quick transition, foregoing socks for speed and it's off on the bike. "Hunt'em down" is Spence's encouragement as I set off, but it seems ages before I catch anyone! Finally pass what looks like a family (Dad, Mum and young boy) cycling in convoy on old clunkers. Another 10 min before I see anyone else but then quickly pass most of the others with the exception of Todd!! Game on! I know Todd can kick my British Arse on a bike so I need to dig in hard (cos I know I can gain ground on the run). Course is fantastic, and a credit to Todd, rocky fire road, spongy trail with occasional large rocks, interesting rocky water crossings and plenty of mud after the rain the day before. 8 miles and nearly 50 min of heaven!
As I am approaching the end I encounter Todd off on the run with his dog (Pepper) in tow.
The big start!
T2 and Spence shouts more encouragement, "Todd's only a minute ahead, go on you've got him" wish it was that simple! Still I am encouraged as I head out and I'm fortunate to catch Todd about half way round the run course - initially I plan to run in with Todd and finish together, but a competitive little devil takes control as I catch him so I just say "Hi" and push on.
Finish to take on the esteemed mantle of "Ganogaman" a title that basically is an excuse to wear a silly Jester's hat for the rest of the weekend!
Sat evening is the community picnic and much fun and frolics (and beer) are had by all. I end up drinking home brew hard cider with a local couple which has me loosing my ability to speak and talk before 9 pm! As it turns out this is a good thing as George and Todd hook up with the same couple later in the evening and enter a "Twilight Zone" of drunken off road driving (in a Honda Civic) and drunk locals with loaded fire arms!! Still no one dies (as far as we know) so all is good.
Well the Labor day weekend was fully of bike related potential as the whole Bollux clan headed to deepest PA for a weekend with friends at Ganoga Lake. A mere 200 miles from the Bollux mansion and no chance to leave the DC area until 4pm on the Friday - in the pissing sodding rain with the rest of humanity. Never going to be a great journey, 2 hours to cover first 40 miles and life is grim. Despite dodgy start and a rather charming tradition of failing to actually signpost road names in rural PA (making even Mapquest directions hard to follow) we actually arrive at the base of the "mountain" we are staying on by 10pm - smashing!! Unfortunately we contrive to spend the next 90 minutes driving up and down the f'in mountain trying to find the road to the neighborhood we need, i the peeing rain and with fog so dense it's impossible to see the far side of the road. To make matters more interesting the local authorities obviously heard we were coming and after over 20 years decided now was the time to rename on of the rural roads we needed to take!
Nevermind, by midnight I was happily sucking down a beer (or two) at the lake in preparation for the weekends fun and shenanigans!
Saturday morning an it's time for the Ganogathon!!! An off road triathlon put together by fellow "night-rider" Todd for the benefit of residents and guests of the community. 1/2 mile lake swim, 8 mile Mtb and 2.5 mile trail run. Few "locals" take up the challenge but the participation from the Md-contingent is sparse. George is absent with good reason, but others (who shall remain nameless) have no excuse and just wuss it! At the allotted start time (10am) the lake is shrouded in think mist - no chance of seeing the buoy. I'm having very serious second thoughts (swimming being a complete bloody mystery to me). the race is postponed for 15 min and miraculously by the new start all is good and sighting in the water is a doddle. Clearest lake water I have ever experienced and at 68oF its a little cold for the Americans among us, but to us Brits it feels practically topical. I start next to a young guy wearing a NYC swimming club cap - "oh shite a pro" I think but a we head off I don't seem to loose any ground?! Either I've suddenly become a proficient swimmer or this guy is pants! Guess which? Yeah O.K. but I still have one of my better swims, actually exiting the water third from last (two placed higher than expected).
Where's the lake gone?
On dry land and we are more in my element - quick transition, foregoing socks for speed and it's off on the bike. "Hunt'em down" is Spence's encouragement as I set off, but it seems ages before I catch anyone! Finally pass what looks like a family (Dad, Mum and young boy) cycling in convoy on old clunkers. Another 10 min before I see anyone else but then quickly pass most of the others with the exception of Todd!! Game on! I know Todd can kick my British Arse on a bike so I need to dig in hard (cos I know I can gain ground on the run). Course is fantastic, and a credit to Todd, rocky fire road, spongy trail with occasional large rocks, interesting rocky water crossings and plenty of mud after the rain the day before. 8 miles and nearly 50 min of heaven!
As I am approaching the end I encounter Todd off on the run with his dog (Pepper) in tow.The big start!
T2 and Spence shouts more encouragement, "Todd's only a minute ahead, go on you've got him" wish it was that simple! Still I am encouraged as I head out and I'm fortunate to catch Todd about half way round the run course - initially I plan to run in with Todd and finish together, but a competitive little devil takes control as I catch him so I just say "Hi" and push on.
Finish to take on the esteemed mantle of "Ganogaman" a title that basically is an excuse to wear a silly Jester's hat for the rest of the weekend!
Sat evening is the community picnic and much fun and frolics (and beer) are had by all. I end up drinking home brew hard cider with a local couple which has me loosing my ability to speak and talk before 9 pm! As it turns out this is a good thing as George and Todd hook up with the same couple later in the evening and enter a "Twilight Zone" of drunken off road driving (in a Honda Civic) and drunk locals with loaded fire arms!! Still no one dies (as far as we know) so all is good.
Blood stained running shoes - thanks to no socks!
Next day brings the hangover from hell (no fun), bike polo (more fun than a fun thing). The polo starts very sedately, with manners and everyone being careful and degenerates within 10 mins to a scene reminiscent of "Max Max Beyond the Thunderdome". Blood is spilled and beer is drunk liberally but very few goals are actually scored!
Sunday night and Todd, George and Yours Truly take on a night ride round the Ganogathon course and into the adjoining state park - fantastic!
Then Monday and home to sanity and domestic bliss (and sleep).
Excuse the rambling (still sleep deprived)
Cheers
DogzBollux
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Is it just me, or.......
Does John McCain look like a geriatric version of Max Headroom?
As luck would have it, British TV have just resurrected Max Headroom (in a more elderly version) so the comparison was made easier.
Separated at birth!!
Cheers
DogzBollux
Monday, August 18, 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy
Wow! Been pretty much too busy to poop the last few weeks! So time on the bike has been hard won, as as for writing about biking? Forget it!
Most productive efforts have been on the fixie-commute to work. This has become an established twice a week routine (as hoped) and is continuing to kick my ass every which way - great stuff.
Night riding only happened once - Todd George and Yours Truly - nice two hour effort. George had gone easier on the pre-ride nourishment so there was a distinct lack of technicolor yawns (which is a good thing). Unfortunately I apparently had my "Mr Fallioff" head on so spent more time than really necessary picking my sorry arse up off Terra Firma than I would have liked. Rode some trails we haven't before - including the "Old Ridge Trail" from bottom of the water bar up! Whow nice climbing and then a short price of white blazed hike only trail. Rest of the ride on trails well travelled.
Weekend rides, not so much! Family commitments and then trip to the beach put paid to these for a couple of weeks! At the beach we tried to become the "Eco-friendly Bike Warrior" family by deciding to cycle everywhere rather than take the car - child # 2 is fine and dandy on her 24 inch wheeled Specialized Hot Rock, and Child # 3 is happy as a clam (most of the time) on her tag along behind her Dad (that'd be me) on my "super-cool" (notice a hint of sarcasm?) hybrid. MLW rented a beach cruiser and we were set. First day at the beach "sans" car and a huge bloody thunder storm rolls in!! By the time the "family Bollux" is rounded up and ensconced back on the bikes the rain is coming down in sheets! The three mile cycle back to the hotel is punctuated only by the complaints emanating from child #3! "Daddy I'm never going to be happy EVER again", "Daddy I think it's going to rain forever and we are all going to drown" - you get the idea! The rest of the day was spent watching Mother Nature put on one of her more spectacular shows! Hail the size of peas (in August?!) and lightening that you could literally hear fizzing as it streaked across the sky, one simultaneous thunder clap and lightening blot that made our chests reverberate was enough to send us scooting for the safety of our room and bed. And that would have been the end of the biking adventure - if the car hadn't decided to breakdown at that point! So despite the very vocal wishes of Child #3 the biking "Bollux-clan" was back on the road for the next day!
Back in Md and have managed to hit the trails just once more - nice ride with Sean - including a traverse of Mission Impossible, but generally I'm having little inclination to write about the same old trails at Patapsco - I feel the need for adventure. So it is good that in only a few weeks Sean and Yours Truly are heading off to deepest Va for a mtb-adventure!
Enough already!
DB
Most productive efforts have been on the fixie-commute to work. This has become an established twice a week routine (as hoped) and is continuing to kick my ass every which way - great stuff.
Night riding only happened once - Todd George and Yours Truly - nice two hour effort. George had gone easier on the pre-ride nourishment so there was a distinct lack of technicolor yawns (which is a good thing). Unfortunately I apparently had my "Mr Fallioff" head on so spent more time than really necessary picking my sorry arse up off Terra Firma than I would have liked. Rode some trails we haven't before - including the "Old Ridge Trail" from bottom of the water bar up! Whow nice climbing and then a short price of white blazed hike only trail. Rest of the ride on trails well travelled.
Weekend rides, not so much! Family commitments and then trip to the beach put paid to these for a couple of weeks! At the beach we tried to become the "Eco-friendly Bike Warrior" family by deciding to cycle everywhere rather than take the car - child # 2 is fine and dandy on her 24 inch wheeled Specialized Hot Rock, and Child # 3 is happy as a clam (most of the time) on her tag along behind her Dad (that'd be me) on my "super-cool" (notice a hint of sarcasm?) hybrid. MLW rented a beach cruiser and we were set. First day at the beach "sans" car and a huge bloody thunder storm rolls in!! By the time the "family Bollux" is rounded up and ensconced back on the bikes the rain is coming down in sheets! The three mile cycle back to the hotel is punctuated only by the complaints emanating from child #3! "Daddy I'm never going to be happy EVER again", "Daddy I think it's going to rain forever and we are all going to drown" - you get the idea! The rest of the day was spent watching Mother Nature put on one of her more spectacular shows! Hail the size of peas (in August?!) and lightening that you could literally hear fizzing as it streaked across the sky, one simultaneous thunder clap and lightening blot that made our chests reverberate was enough to send us scooting for the safety of our room and bed. And that would have been the end of the biking adventure - if the car hadn't decided to breakdown at that point! So despite the very vocal wishes of Child #3 the biking "Bollux-clan" was back on the road for the next day!
Back in Md and have managed to hit the trails just once more - nice ride with Sean - including a traverse of Mission Impossible, but generally I'm having little inclination to write about the same old trails at Patapsco - I feel the need for adventure. So it is good that in only a few weeks Sean and Yours Truly are heading off to deepest Va for a mtb-adventure!
Enough already!
DB
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Sick as a Dog!
After the recent interactions with the DNR the decision was made to change things up for the weekly night ride. Different launch point, different day/time! And the Maintenance Huts are off limits for the foreseeable future.
This week Brian was AWOL but Todd and George were back!
Having resigned ourselves to a HC restricted ride the challenge was to make the ride interesting in some way. Normal way to infuse a potentially dull ride into some kind of challenge is either spped or distance. I'm in no mood for speed (tonight or ever!) so distance it is! I suggest an EFI ride. The idea is to cover "Every F'in Inch" of bike trail HC side (excluding trail leading to the road) in one ride. Todd, ever the prosaic one, just wants to ride his bike and doesn't need a stoopid reason to do so - but of course George buys into it immediately! Once in the Park discussion begin about the best way to hit EFI of trail, the issue is the "threaded" regions where the trail breaks into three or more branches that all end up in the same place. With an almost immediate resignation that we will fail - but fail gloriously - we decide just to ride! Tick off Small Intestine, and the Belmont Hill. After the water we head left up the steep rooty climb. AT Morning Choice however, for a change, we hang a left and tick off the Derelict house portion and the Roller Coaster section that takes us back to the main drag from Landing Road. Another discussion and we take a right down the lose rocky descent back to Ridge, thence to cascade, including the climb to the Railway ties and back to Morning Choice. Not even half way yet, but it's obvious that George is "not in a good place". Too much spaghetti and meat balls pre-ride apparently!
"Better out than in"
Once he has "lightened the load" somewhat George is feeling better but not stellar so the original plan is further doomed to failure. Still we plough on gamely heading (not on the usual loggy section) to the stream before taking the New Trail and heading back to the Belmont Hill for round two. This time we take the newly reopened climb up Rockburn Branch and head out on Ridge. Hitting the Connector trail to take us back to Morning Choice, thence Old Branch Trail Loop and then back to the Loggy Section. By now over two hours have elapsed and our resolve has deserted us, replaced by a desire for beer. Over the water after the loggy section and disaster strikes! In the dark I pick an appalling line through the water and hit a ridge on the far bank, I get up the ridge but stall at the top. Todd in "hot pursuit" hits my back wheel and is unceremoniously dumped into the water - he is not best pleased, especially as the mud at the bottom of the stream is somewhat fragrant (and not in a good way). Fortunately we are minutes from the cars and a change of clothes. Heading back to the final water crossing Todd stops suddenly to view some stags in the trees, George and I speed on it anticipation of alcohol.
At the cars although food (yet again) is available there are no takers - tonight's efforts (again over two hours and nearly 15 miles) has taken it's toll. The much anticipated "20 miler" can't be that far in the future surely?!
Cheers
DogzBollux
Monday, July 28, 2008
Close Encounters
After several rain delays the night ride was on. Very limited participation, due to work and family commitments among the group, with only Brian and me arranging to meet up (a little later than usual) to hit the trails. Nearly didn't happen though.
I was in fine mood as I approached the launch site - nice weather and the first proper test on my new light (after the previous weeks debacle). Windows down (no A/C in the Boluxmobile) ad radio turned "to eleven" listening to DC 101. Just as life can't get any better "Champagne Supernova" erupts from my car stereo speakers!!
Woo Hoo, I'm in heaven! Bike on my car, dressed in Lycra and Oasis blasting out.
"Slowly walking down the hall,
Faster than a cannonball.
Where were you,
When we were getting high?"
Where were you,
When we were getting high?"
Singing my little heart out and probably not paying enough attention to what's going on around me, cos when I look in my rear view all I can see is a Police Car doing a good impression of the Blackpool Illuminations!! Sirens blaring (though not loud enough to drown out Oasis) and lights a-flashin'! I have absolutely no idea how fast I am going (though a swift peek at the speedo suggests only 35 mph), I signal and pull over and pray!! "Please don't stop!!"
Fortune smiles, as it transpires that I am not the object of this particular policeman's wrath (tonight at least), he blasts past me and off into the distance in a matter of seconds. With that little excitement over I am in no mood for any further encounters with authority tonight!
Brian and I launch shortly after 9:30pm and in a change to our usual routine we eschew Small Intestine and instead head straight to the Belmont Hill, over the road and down the gravelly descent that is made more interesting by the four or so small drops (all less than a foot) that even in daylight can catch an unsuspecting rider off guard. The new light performs admirably and we scoot down this section rather more speedily than I am used to. Over the top and through the water before I know it - I try riding along the log on the left, only managing about two feet of it before I ride off. It's been a long time since I actually tried that trick so it's good that the old confidence (or is it stupidity?) is returning.
At the rooty stoopid steep uphill Brian takes the direct route and I trail further on to take the easier route. I fail to make even this and Brian shows me how mtb riding should be done my crushing the tough line! Over the top and before we know it we are at the "four way" junction - now I have a plan! we take Ridge but half way along we hang a right down the "hike Only" trail - come on it's bloody dark! How many hikers are there likely to be tonight? Fun, Fun, Fun - the trail is all swoopy, rocky, rooty goodness. Bit of leaf litter to keep things interesting and a nice narrow section at the end bordered on the right hand side by a fair old drop!
At the road we head over to BC side and then along the paved path the other side of the river to the "Convent Climb" - my new favorite climb. Thru the tunnel, thru the rocky water and up we go - rocky and relentless. About two thirds the way up I'm slightly startled to come across a small dog in the middle of the trail I call "Hi Dog!" as I pass and the animal seems friendly enough. At the top I wait for Brian to arrive, and when he does he has our new K9 friend in tow. We have a quick chat about what to do with the dog and after concluding (i) it is not thirsty (ii) it looks healthy enough and (iii) it is wearing a collar we guess it is simply a dog from a local house out wandering. So with a swift "goodbye" we head off towards the Community College loop. 
DogzBollux and new K9 friend
All is hunky dory until we reach the top of the rocky climb to the maintenance huts! Just as we hit the crest lights come on in a truck inside the compound! BUGGER. Being knackered after the climb I'm a bit slow extinguishing the light, but once it is off we stand still in the darkness. Lights flash through the trees in front of us then a voice over a tanoy announces "we know you are in there.... go back the way you came!" Sounds like a plan to me! We decide discretion is the better part of valor and descend the rocky climb without light, stumbling over roots and logs and swearing quietly. At the bottom we regroup for a little discussion.
Brian - man of mystery (and poor illumination)
Decide best way back is up to Soapstone and a stealthy little ride on the road back to the Water Bar. All goes without a hitch and despite now having two close encounters with authority in the space of three hours, all is good. At the top of the water Bar and Small Intestine beckons - take the trail over the stick laden trail and then as it is 11:55pm decide that right onto the New Trail and it's big logs will take us into tomorrow. Despite Brian trying to kill himself on the last water crossing we get back to the cars at 12:10am tired, but happy and without a ticket. Another 2 hour plus ride and after a couple of friendly beers time to say "goodnight" and head home to bed.
Smashing!
DogzBollux
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
We all make plans... And too often they come to nought!
For the first time (ever) this year I actually committed myself to a list of races I wanted to do, it looked something like this:
Hat Run (50 km trail run) March 29
12 Hours Lodi Farm (12 hour mtb race) May 3-4
Wilderness 101 (101 mile mtb race) July 26
JFK 50 miler (50 mile trail run) November 22
As luck would have it many of my plans have come to fruition! YIPPEE! Done both Hat (had an absolute stinker) and Lodi (went well) - even managed to throw in a couple of other races not planned!
BUT
Keeping early season momentum up over the summer months is always dodgy. As mentioned in last post MTB fun has been severely restricted of late - though fixie fun has been some compensation (Averaged 18.6 mph to work this am!!). Looks like Wilderness 101 is a no-go! Fitness not where it needs to be and anyway I spent the entry money buying my new helmet light. So the big question was whether the JFK 50 miler would really happen this year. I have spoken confidently about doing this race every spring for the past 4 years, but the resolve has evaporated with the summer heat. 2008 is a different year! With "Running Sean" on the case the entries have gone in - and when I checked the website yesterday there we were as official entrants for this year's episode - GAME ON!!
With the demise of the Widerness 101 attempt my summer mtb activities were in real danger of withering away! But just as all hope appeared lost a new plan has come together - Boys weekend away in the Massanutten Mountains. Two days, 71 miles of single track and a promise of insane trails. Preparations in full swing for a mid-Sept attempt.
With the plans forming the Sunday ride was a bit more focused than usual - just "Biking Sean" and me, but as we are both committed to the Sept jaunt and want to build fitness the ride was planned to test our limits and kick our butts! Four "big" climbs - (i) up to the railway ties on Cascade (ii) The Convent trail (between House of Pain and Vineyard) (iii) Soapstone fire road - overtaken by a girl on a bike! and (iv) the Water bar. Lots of sketchy descents in between and finished with Small Intestine and the New Trail for good measure. Two solid hours riding - hot and thoroughly enjoyable.
Since then two commutes on the Fixie - including the first climb this year of the "Killer Hill" and life is good. If a night ride materializes it will have been an almost magical week - looks like weather may scotch the night ride though!
All in all fun time!
DogzBollux
For the first time (ever) this year I actually committed myself to a list of races I wanted to do, it looked something like this:
Hat Run (50 km trail run) March 29
12 Hours Lodi Farm (12 hour mtb race) May 3-4
Wilderness 101 (101 mile mtb race) July 26
JFK 50 miler (50 mile trail run) November 22
As luck would have it many of my plans have come to fruition! YIPPEE! Done both Hat (had an absolute stinker) and Lodi (went well) - even managed to throw in a couple of other races not planned!
BUT
Keeping early season momentum up over the summer months is always dodgy. As mentioned in last post MTB fun has been severely restricted of late - though fixie fun has been some compensation (Averaged 18.6 mph to work this am!!). Looks like Wilderness 101 is a no-go! Fitness not where it needs to be and anyway I spent the entry money buying my new helmet light. So the big question was whether the JFK 50 miler would really happen this year. I have spoken confidently about doing this race every spring for the past 4 years, but the resolve has evaporated with the summer heat. 2008 is a different year! With "Running Sean" on the case the entries have gone in - and when I checked the website yesterday there we were as official entrants for this year's episode - GAME ON!!
With the demise of the Widerness 101 attempt my summer mtb activities were in real danger of withering away! But just as all hope appeared lost a new plan has come together - Boys weekend away in the Massanutten Mountains. Two days, 71 miles of single track and a promise of insane trails. Preparations in full swing for a mid-Sept attempt.
With the plans forming the Sunday ride was a bit more focused than usual - just "Biking Sean" and me, but as we are both committed to the Sept jaunt and want to build fitness the ride was planned to test our limits and kick our butts! Four "big" climbs - (i) up to the railway ties on Cascade (ii) The Convent trail (between House of Pain and Vineyard) (iii) Soapstone fire road - overtaken by a girl on a bike! and (iv) the Water bar. Lots of sketchy descents in between and finished with Small Intestine and the New Trail for good measure. Two solid hours riding - hot and thoroughly enjoyable.
Since then two commutes on the Fixie - including the first climb this year of the "Killer Hill" and life is good. If a night ride materializes it will have been an almost magical week - looks like weather may scotch the night ride though!
All in all fun time!
DogzBollux
Friday, July 18, 2008
Best of Times, Worst of Times!
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"
Some bloke called Charlie wrote that! He was talking about the French revolution (apparently) but may as well have been describing the past two weeks (since my last entry) in the Bolluxsphere!
Mtbing has been at an all time low - just one measly ride in 14 whole F'in days! OK it was a decent enough sojourn around the usual trails on Patapsco (even discovered some illicit renegade trail - but enough of that), but it was still the only action the Monocog has seen, just not good enough that man!!!
On the up side, the fixie is seeing more action than any time in recent history! With the "young'uns" out of school an agreement has been negotiated between MLW and me (aided by the high gas prices - every cloud!) that a cycle commute twice a week was acceptable! So for the past three weeks the fixie has seen the light of day at least twice a week! And the benefit in terms of leg strength is already being felt! Average speed up form a humble 16 mph (10 mile route) to a thoroughly average 18 mph - but hey heading in the right direction.
Meanwhile Mr Running Sean (not to be confused with Mr Biking Sean) is all hot to trot for the JFK 50 this year!! With him getting the "grand permission" from his respective SWMBO, MLW was forced to concede and grant me a day pass to have a go at this little romp. Fan-bloody-tastic! The reality of this commitment however is harder to stomach - long miles throughout the Maryland summer! So for the past two weeks we have been hardening ourselves by getting used to the inevitable "sh*t it's early" runs. Headlamps on, rising at 4:30am to hit the road at 5:00am giving us enough time to saunter round 15 or so miles before the 7:30am roll call at "swim team".
All in all a real dearth of mtb-fun but plenty of other stuff to keep me entertained!
Then this weeks night ride hoved into view Whoo Hoo! Gonna be a classic! I've just caved and purchased a "proper" light - a rather spectacular Light and Motion unit!!!! Got my Monocog back in original condition- rear wheel picked up from LBS with new free hub in place. New hydration pack - bigger pockets to allow multi day rides (more of which in later posts - I hope) and to top it all off a full bloody moon!!!!!!
New launch site and new company (Jon the gatecrasher). So George, Brain, Jon and DB at the new launch site - how much more fun could we have? Brian's bike is playing up from the off, over the first big log and problems are obvious. I turn to see what's up and Brian has already removed his back wheel - never a good sign. After a brief discussion we conclude Brian's free hub is playing up (ring any bells?) and will probably be O.K. but we decide to head back to the cars to get some lube to make it run more smoothly. Two minutes later on a small rooty uphill as I attempt to crank over a large root there is a "pop" and I literally fly over my bars from a standing start!! I assume I have snapped my chain - but no! Bloody F'in freehub (new, just installed, only half a mile on it) is knackered and spinning freely!! Ride over for DB! Push bike back to car swearing loudly and my "magical" nights riding is over! At the car I swear some more, rack my bike, say Goodnight to the guys as they head back out onto the trail and then I head home!
As I am heading for bed at 11 pm I reflect (somewhat sourly) that the guys are probably still riding and having a blast! Oh well there will be other nights with full moons and good vibes.
Cheers
DB
Some bloke called Charlie wrote that! He was talking about the French revolution (apparently) but may as well have been describing the past two weeks (since my last entry) in the Bolluxsphere!
Mtbing has been at an all time low - just one measly ride in 14 whole F'in days! OK it was a decent enough sojourn around the usual trails on Patapsco (even discovered some illicit renegade trail - but enough of that), but it was still the only action the Monocog has seen, just not good enough that man!!!
On the up side, the fixie is seeing more action than any time in recent history! With the "young'uns" out of school an agreement has been negotiated between MLW and me (aided by the high gas prices - every cloud!) that a cycle commute twice a week was acceptable! So for the past three weeks the fixie has seen the light of day at least twice a week! And the benefit in terms of leg strength is already being felt! Average speed up form a humble 16 mph (10 mile route) to a thoroughly average 18 mph - but hey heading in the right direction.
Meanwhile Mr Running Sean (not to be confused with Mr Biking Sean) is all hot to trot for the JFK 50 this year!! With him getting the "grand permission" from his respective SWMBO, MLW was forced to concede and grant me a day pass to have a go at this little romp. Fan-bloody-tastic! The reality of this commitment however is harder to stomach - long miles throughout the Maryland summer! So for the past two weeks we have been hardening ourselves by getting used to the inevitable "sh*t it's early" runs. Headlamps on, rising at 4:30am to hit the road at 5:00am giving us enough time to saunter round 15 or so miles before the 7:30am roll call at "swim team".
All in all a real dearth of mtb-fun but plenty of other stuff to keep me entertained!
Then this weeks night ride hoved into view Whoo Hoo! Gonna be a classic! I've just caved and purchased a "proper" light - a rather spectacular Light and Motion unit!!!! Got my Monocog back in original condition- rear wheel picked up from LBS with new free hub in place. New hydration pack - bigger pockets to allow multi day rides (more of which in later posts - I hope) and to top it all off a full bloody moon!!!!!!
New launch site and new company (Jon the gatecrasher). So George, Brain, Jon and DB at the new launch site - how much more fun could we have? Brian's bike is playing up from the off, over the first big log and problems are obvious. I turn to see what's up and Brian has already removed his back wheel - never a good sign. After a brief discussion we conclude Brian's free hub is playing up (ring any bells?) and will probably be O.K. but we decide to head back to the cars to get some lube to make it run more smoothly. Two minutes later on a small rooty uphill as I attempt to crank over a large root there is a "pop" and I literally fly over my bars from a standing start!! I assume I have snapped my chain - but no! Bloody F'in freehub (new, just installed, only half a mile on it) is knackered and spinning freely!! Ride over for DB! Push bike back to car swearing loudly and my "magical" nights riding is over! At the car I swear some more, rack my bike, say Goodnight to the guys as they head back out onto the trail and then I head home!
As I am heading for bed at 11 pm I reflect (somewhat sourly) that the guys are probably still riding and having a blast! Oh well there will be other nights with full moons and good vibes.
Cheers
DB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
