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
Sunday, September 28, 2008
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
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