leftovers

So after my race I hung around and took pictures of the Cat 2 and Cat1/Pro races.  I finally got them all labeled and posted... I'm honestly not super thrilled with them.  I think I chose a decent spot, but I didn't frame them all that well (didn't get much the the actual trail in the shot).  I mean, it's ok - I got the rider and that's the important part... but ideally I like to show the trail as well... so those not participating in the race have an idea of what was really going on in the picture. 

Hey, I'm doing it for free - and I was sitting the in the rain!!  So, if you participated in the race... have a look.  If you are curious... well I guess that's ok too.

Winding Trails pictures.

Also, official results were posted.  Nothing has changed, but it's in the books.  10th place (which still gets me points) and a finishing time of 1:03:26.

Next up, Massasoit.  The LBS (second location) called to let me know my sealant is in, so I'll pick that up today and probably hit up Cutler (since it's right down the street from the shop) to try out the new and improved loop.  I'll get my tires all set (new one on back and back to tubeless all around) tonight.  And tomorrow afternoon hit up Massasoit for a pre-ride (now that I know to follow the yellow blazes).

It's almost May...  that might not mean anything to you.... but for those of us in a school system - HOLY CRAP!!  This year has FLOWN by!

new trail!

So a little while back I get this email from a guy named Dean.  It's a great little email... "I've been following your blog for a while now" kinda email.  Those are always great!!  It's nice to have an idea of who may be out there reading along.

Anyway, Dean sent me a link to a Strava track showing a whole new side to Cutler Park  - across the highway.  WHAT!!??!  There is more to Cutler?  I thought I had hit it all and had my circuit all solidified and down pat.  So I thanked Dean - for following and the new lead - and vowed to hit up the "new" section.

On Friday I got my butt out to Cutler and found the new section.  I choose to ride Cutler on Friday because I had to try out my new tire(s).  I mentioned last week that there was a tire debacle.  It was actually a whole big disappointment.  I went to my LBS to grab a new front tire, since mine had a slit in the sidewall and I wanted to get back to a tubeless set up (plus, I just wanted a new front tire anyway!) and all they had out on the floor was a 2.3.  Little too big for what I was looking for.  So I asked if they had any tires anywhere else.... well they didn't.  They did find me a used WTB (of unknown style) that they offered me... and they called over to their other location and offered to have them send over some tires.... the following day - at 4pm (so that would be Saturday... with a race on Sunday).  I thanked them and said I'd just hit up the other location in the AM so I could get the tire on and ride it.

Have you figured out the disappointing part yet?  That my LBS doesn't have tires stocked.  Annie reminded me that this isn't the first time I've been to the shop for something "simple" and returned empty handed.  I guess it's kinda crushing to have a shop you like be somewhat limited.  So I went to the Newton location and they had tires set aside for me...  Bontrager 29.3 Team Issue 2.0.  I was a bit wary of going that small - I was running a 2.1 in the back and 2.25 in the front.  But, beggars can't be choosers, so I grabbed the pair and had to order some caffelatex as they didn't have any in stock - unless I wanted to be another kit... which I didn't.  So order it up I did, and I'd chuck a tube in the front.  I decided to leave the Ignitor on the back with the forecasted rain, I figured it would give me a little more traction in the mud that I was anticipating.

So back to the important stuff, the ride!!  So I first completed my usual loop to get a feel for the tire.  It was narrow for sure.  The kind of narrow that is "that looks funny in that big fork" funny.  But, I liked it!!  I'm not sure if it was real, or in my head, but it did seem to dip the front just a smidgen, but a noticeable smidgen.

As I completed the usual loop I tried to remember what street I saw the entrance on - there looked to be a way to access it on the back end of the trails - but that I wasn't sure of.  So from the parking lot I headed out onto the street and up the hill across 93.  I see roadies on this road all the time, and seriously I don't know how they do it.  Not from a perspective of - oh man this road is tough - that's not the case.   But it was the sheer assholeness of the drivers on this road.  As I jumped on it there were 2 lanes in both directions.  As I get to the bridge crossing the highway it merges from 2 lanes to 1 - but a VERY wide 1.  Some asshole decides that with a lane merge AND a bicycle in the road that they would hold their ground and stay in the lane that was no longer... putting their side view mirror mere inches from my hand.  fucker.

Anyway, cross the highway hit the first left, and then the first left and I'm dumped into a little cul-de-sac with a nice little trail entrance!

I pop in and immediately there is a choice... left or right.  I figured the trail was to the right... as I already said I just crossed the highway and was in a cul-de-sac, but I went left just to see what it was.  It was a short jaunt overlooking the highway.  The building you see in the picture is the building you head behind as you hit the "old" westside of cutler tracing along the highway.

This section of trail shows great use of about 60 yards of land between residential neighborhoods and the highway.  I've always gazed dreamily at forest land running along side highways thinking that there should be trails just following along... seems like a wonderful resource just going to waste... but here it isn't!!  The trail is smooth, fast, flowy.  Typical of Cutler for sure, it's been someones secret paradise! 

Eventually the trail took me down to the railroad tracks and dumped me into another cul-de-sac (word for the day: cul-d-sac).  I wasn't exactly sure where this was or how I would loop back into Cutler, so since I had enjoyed the new trail so much, I just doubled back.  And let me tell you, it was as enjoyable riding it in the opposite direction.  

Oh yeah, the added bonus of the ride is apparently I got KOM on a section on Friday.  I was surprised because I did pause when I hit Needham St to see if I could figure out how to find the new trail....  so even with a stop I got KOM - I'll take it!  When I got home from the ride and downloaded my data I took a look at the map and it looks like where I paused would be a great section to access the westside trail from the bottom, then head up and across the bridge back to the top of Cutler to continue in a new loop.  It will add some more pavement time to the loop, but it adds miles and sweet new trail... so I'm down.  

I'll be throwing the other 2.0 on the back this week and going all sleek racer boy on your ass.  Gotta be faster!

Larry Legend

Today is the first day of my Larry Bird Year (aka. my 33rd birthday).  Ever since birthdays (or rather the age part) stopped being exciting I've been looking forward to this year for no other reason than my age equals my childhood hero's number.

Yesterday we celebrated my birthday with a celtics game.  We had amazing seats, sitting 3 rows behind the Heat's bench.  Annie had to wonder why so many people talked trash about LeBron as she pointed out he is "one big dude."  Not sure if any of you caught the game, but we saw Wade get completely humiliated right in front of us... here is a replay

You can't really see us in this video as it's very quick... but we are up behind the end of the bench... see the guy in the green shirt right behind the bench, we are the second row behind him just off his left shoulder...  If you catch a glimpse of me you can see me with my fist over my mouth as I looked on in shock and awe at the block.

Before the game I got out for a quick ride over at Cutler.  I left the house feeling like I forgot something... and I did, my HR monitor.... ah well, the main focus was testing out something new on the HiFi anyway. Yup, I got two packages over the weekend that I had been anxiously awaiting (well one of them at least) and they both arrived on Saturday - which was perfect as Saturday morning was miserable with rainy nonsense.  So I got the new part on the HiFi and she was ready to go.  First ride yesterday and initial impressions are positive.  May have to make another adjustment in the future - but I'll get into the details tomorrow.

I'm squeezing into my old Larry Bird jersey today (under my shirt of course) in honor of the man and in celebration of the day.

Oh Deer

Monday the riding was great.  Temps were in the low 30s (being generous) so the ground was frozen solid, making things super fast!  My feet were already cold while driving out to Cutler, and I had to make a stop at the LBS to pick up an extra tube and some patches as I was down to my last tube in the rear... I had planned on setting it back up tubeless, but my tire wasn't seating correctly and I didn't want to wrestle with it all morning so I just threw my extra tube in and headed out.  I wanted to ride, not go in frustrating circles!!

When I got to the trail I got my stuff together real quick like and hit the trail.  My fingers froze almost instantly as I was not wearing appropriate winter gloves.  That was remedied by stopping to move big limbs and the like from the trail a few times, seemed to get things circulating and after that the cold was not an issue.  I did run into a group of 6 deer, in the same spot I always come across deer at Cutler.  As I crested the hill and one deer shot across the trail I froze as he was heading toward the highway and I certainly didn't want a smashed deer on my conscience.

He paused and the rest of the group stayed where they were just staring at me.  It was so cold I couldn't get my phone to recognize my glove, or my finger, running across the screen.  By the time I got the phone to respond the large group to my left scattered.

I caught at least 3 deer in this picture, can you find them? (crappy IPhone)

The one to my right, the highway side, didn't budge.  As I started to go I was careful not to spook him, which is pretty much impossible when dealing with deer.  Luckily he crossed back over the trail in front of me and darted off to rejoin the herd/pack/clan.

Crappy no zoom in the cold IPhone... but as you see by the lack of trees between, he wasn't too far off.

I did a lot of exploring on my ride.  Normally I have a pretty fixed route and never take some of the small off shoots I see on my way, today I decided to take them... see where they went, and hopefully expand my ride loop.  Some side adventures were useful, others not so much, but all were fun.  At one point I apparently followed some game trail to nowhere and had to backtrack a little, but that's the fun - right?  I also ran into a cemetery and an apartment complex where they seem to have built their own trail that links up with the loop I ride.

As I was coming back through the "business side" of things I noticed my front wheel cutting on my when making turns.  ugh oh...  I stop and feel the front tire.  Yup, that's soft!  So I gave it a spin hoping that there is good sealant left from the season and thankfully I started seeing caffe latex sputter out.  Must have taken a thorn.  I actually remembered to bring my hand pump, so I pull that out and notice it is in horrendous shape.  I throw it on the front wheel and pump... but that doesn't feel right.

I stop immediately and check to see if the pump is working... yeah not so much.  I open the thing up and gravel comes out...  I feel the tire again.  I can make it (fingers crossed).  I didn't have too far to go by this point so I just rode it out.  When I got back to the pterodactyl I grabbed my floor pump and strap it onto the front wheel - I was curious to see how much pressure I had in there.

5...

5 lbs of pressure in the front.  Will I be riding 5lbs in the future, I hope not.  But it did show me I can probably run lower pressure than I have been, so I guess that is cool.

My legs felt awesome on Monday, which I was psyched about.  Yesterday I did some threshold training on the trainer, and I felt pretty good there too.  Today after work it's time to hit the gym and really put these legs to work!

Oh, we had our first snow yesterday!  Totally didn't expect to see snow on the ground as I was leaving for work, but it was kinda nice.  Of course, it drizzled and made it into the 40s in the afternoon so everything was washed away... but it also means trails are going to be garbage unless things dry out quick or freeze up solid again.  Either way, fingers crossed for some good conditions toward the end of the week!

Christmas Beavers!

I tore around Cutler this weekend on the 4300.  And boy was it weird to be riding 26 inch wheels.  I think I've talked about this before.... but really, it's a strange transition for so many reasons... but to avoid beating a dead horse, I digress.

There are a couple changes I have wanted to make to the 4300, and after this ride, possibly a couple more.
1. I've been thinking of switching it to a 1 x 8 - to make things more simplistic.
2. New handlebars.  Just not a fan of the riser bars that came on it.  I'm loving the wide bars on the HiFi, but not sure I need that on the 4300.  But definitely looking to get a flat bat.
3. New (or old) saddle.  I love the Selle Italia SLR XC Gel Flow saddle that I got a while back.  I switched it to the HiFi... and put the saddle that came on the HiFi onto the 4300.  It's not a horrible saddle, but it's not the SLR XC... and I like the SLR XC...  so what will likely happen is I'll get a spankin new one for the HiFi and put the gently used one on the 4300.
4. Might play with the stem length... but that will all depend on #2 and how the fit is then.
5. Big difference between the hydraulics and the mechanical disc brakes - as I ride the 4300 more frequently the difference may fade as I get used to them again, but I REALLY like the feel of the hydraulics.

So I think that is about it.  I feel like the front fork is kinda blowing... but that isn't something I really need to mess with.  Do I NEED to mess with the rest?? Probably not.  New handlebars would probably suffice, but even that isn't really necessary...

So, I rode at Cutler, which included cutting through Millenium Park to complete the loop.  And there I saw evidence of beavers.  Not sure why it seemed so odd to me, but it caught me off guard.

Guess he was just working his way on down the line...

I guess I didn't think Cutler was big enough for much wildlife and Millenuim being more of a wide open hill with walking/jogging paths around it... well here, check it out.



View Larger Map


So, holy cow the holidays are just about here!!
It totally didn't dawn on me until today that next week is it before break.  WOW!!  So I've been totally slacking on giving everyone (that is interested in buying me a gift that is) a heads up on what I want.  So when I got home from work yesterday I ran through the internet and made up a quick list.  When Annie originally asked me to give her some things that I wanted my answer was "bike stuff."  And honestly, you get me anything mountain bike related and I'd be super happy.  It was funny how I was kinda stumped as to what I really want when I was looking.  Don't get me wrong, I certainly found stuff.... but I didn't have any burning passion for anything in particular.  I suppose that's a good thing!

The Final

In just a few days I'll be racing my final race for the season, the Landmine Classic.  I've been looking forward to this race since last year - when I thought about racing for the first time.  If I had a home court, Wompatuck would be it.  It's my go to place... it's where I started on the old roads and paved paths (and where Annie in turn started out as well)... eventually venturing onto the plethora of singletrack.  It's my winter ride zone as the paved paths get nice and crusted with foot traffic and snowmobiles - you can usually ride without studded tires.  

I pre rode the course yesterday and it's looking great.  The promoters really deserve a high five for the work they put in cleaning up after Irene.. and at least a skeletal signage up to allow for pre riding this past weekend.  (Most arrows were perfect... only one arrow misaligned and one missing).  Closer to the race, tape will be up and "confidence arrows" as well.  To be honest, I haven't been riding nearly enough lately... I think it's the back to work blues (today is our first day back), but I really turned into a bum the last couple weeks.  It's too bad.  But it is what it is at this point.  So although my endurance is going to be a bitch in this race, I did feel super great on the bike handling side of things during my pre ride.  I cleared everything (except two wall crossings) but rocky/rooty climbs, stone walls, muddy rock gardens... things were looking good!!!  

The other day while I was on the Cutler part of my Cutler Commute something randomly hit me.  No, it wasn't a downed tree from big bad Irene... although there was a fair share of that out there....  I call these guys the triple threat.

Ok, to be fair Cutler is anything but technical... BUT it was while I was out tearing it up on the trail that a random thought flooded my brain and things just made sense (that's one of the things that I love about mountain biking... sometimes out of nowhere things just click and everything makes sense).  

My whole outlook on technical riding got a kick in the groin.  I guess I was stuck in some sort of simplified outlook on clearing technical terrain where it was all about steering and pedaling (momentum).  So yeah, that is involved, but the missing link for me was a new focus on body position!!  Working with your body position - getting out of the saddle, leaning right/left, etc. - equals balance!!  Get your balance right, keep your momentum up, and you are in a position to give that extra kick you need to get over that obstacle...

Simple stuff I know.  But until it clicks in your head it doesn't translate on the trail.  Mountain biking is a bit of a mental game - more often than not the biggest obstacle on the trail is your own head getting stuck because of fear.  

So, all that being said, I felt technically strong on my ride yesterday at Wompatuck.  And really, that's what it's all about.  Seeing the improvements.  I've got a ways to go in racing... but first comes strength and confidence in one's own abilities.  And I am very happy to say that as this season (my first race season) comes to an end I feel that I have continued making strides to becoming a stronger, more competent rider. 

Revisiting Cutler

And we went back out.

This time I was prepared with my new skillz. I was sizing up turns, getting up out of my saddle, speeding up and changing gears like a champ. Then I almost hit a tree, which made me want to puke.

Alright, so I need to take it slow. I was so excited to actually have some feedback that I totally got overly zealous and almost domed myself. Allow me to explain. I was riding really well. I loved going through the turns up out of my seat and tilting my bike so much that I forgot to really pay attention to my speed. I was leading so I didn't have Michael as a gauge, and actually I could hear him right behind me so I figured I was finally giving him a riding partner that he could proud of, but that wasn't the case. The case, as it turns out, is I'm not ready to go so fast.

At my optimal speed I was flying through the trail and started to go up this slight incline. The incline curved to the left, and unfortunately for me there was a tree right in the crest of the turn. I was going way too fast to turn and stay on the trail, so instead I ran a little off the trail into the outside of the beginning of the curve, which stopped me about half foot shy of slamming the tree. Luckily for me, there was a family of hikers coming towards us so we had to get off the trail anyway. I nodded as they passed. Sure, no problem. I totally don't mind getting off the trail for you. I'm nice like that.

As the hikers moved forward, I informed Michael that I needed a second. It's funny how almost getting hurt can mess with your head the same or more than if you actually got hurt. It took about 3 minutes for the nausea to subside, and we were off. Michael took the lead for the rest of the day, since I obviously lacked the proper speed management techniques required, and we rode on.

(and thanks to Michael for proofreading this post, since I might have been a little buzzed when writing it)

-A

Annie's Adventures at Cutler

Media Fridays

We'll posts videos or photos that will hopefully inspire trail shredding weekends.

Annie tearing it up at Cutler.  She's getting stronger,  faster, and more confident with every ride!

(sorry for the late post - more music being blocked by YouTube)

Why would I pay attention??

By now I should know not to pay attention to weather forecasts and the random percentages they throw out to signify the chance for rain.  I succumbed to the forecast and did not ride on Sunday... when I totally could have!!!  So that was a missed opportunity.

Monday there was no debate, it was WET!!

Today I'm heading to Connecticut to drop the dogs off at my parents as we are getting new windows put in the front of our condo tomorrow... depending on the weather as I'm leaving Boston I may bring a bike along to hit a trail on the way back... I'm not holding my breath on that one though.

As you may have noticed from Annie's post, we hit up Cutler on Saturday.  Thursday I also hit up Cutler as I waited for the HiFi (which you can see here).  Riding the 4300 it was evident that there is a BIG difference between riding a 26er and a 29er.  After riding the HiFi for so long, I guess I pretty much forgot how awesome big wheels are.  On small wheels things slow you down that you don't even have to pay attention to on big boy wheels.  Speed itself seems to be your friend on 29 inch wheels, always ready to give you a lift... whereas on little wheels it seems like you are chasing to catch up to that bastard speed, and the minute you coast he flips you off and leaves you behind.

BIG V. small

BUT, it was refreshing to ride the 4300 alone, to remind me just what the trail is like for Annie.  It helped recenter me, bring me back to where I started on the trails and feel how trail features are a totally different challenge to a beginner on 26 inch wheels compared to someone riding 29 inch wheels.  Once I got used to actually having to focus a little more on the navigation piece, I quite enjoyed railing Cutler on the small wheels!!

Signed up for my final race of the season.  At this point I don't know exactly what to expect, but I'm positive.  I've had fun racing this season.  Results haven't been jaw dropping, but it's a start...  This season is my baseline - where I fall with little/no focused training.  Hopefully I can pull things together, get focused during the off season, and come back with a solid season next year.

Either way I have to say racing is a good time.  The people are great!  It's nice to see familiar faces from race to race, and it's been great getting to meet some other riders out there.

Annie gets her groove back.

I'm going to be honest: I was starting to contemplate giving up on being a mountain biker.

I started to flirt with this idea a few weeks back due to a real dislike of how I felt after each ride. Constant frustration and lack of improvement really began eating away at my excitement to the point where Michael would say "Let's ride this weekend." and my first thought would be, "Again?".

Where this desire to give up came from, I'm not sure. In the beginning it was so much fun to go out with Michael, even though it was freezing at the time. Somewhere around May or June I started to plateau and every ride I felt like I was disappointing Michael with my slow speed, fear of rocky hills and crappy endurance. Biking wasn't really fun anymore, and I couldn't figure out how to turn it all around --- thus, I started to consider just stopping.

Then this past weekend Michael suggested we go to Cutler and spend the day on the actual trails and not just the lake loop that I like to do. I was uncharacteristically a little excited about going, and I'm going to tell you why. As girly as it is, Michael bought me riding gloves that are super cute, and I was looking forward to using them.

Yup. New accessories turned out to be the key to getting me out there. I'll give you a second to finish your eye roll before I continue.

la
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Ok.

So I should also mention that I was feeling pretty comfortable with the ride for the day because I knew Michael had just been on the same trails two days before and knew exactly what parts I could handle and what I'd need to jump off and walk. I've mentioned before that not being familiar with the trails is a real huge frustration for me because I never feel I can work on my gear shifting, maneuvering or endurance because I have to stop every 10-20 feet.

Well this trip was so different. Michael told me beforehand that there would be some familiar riding at first since the trails were off of the loop I know so well. I even knew where on the loop we'd be exiting -- so I felt pretty comfortable. Michael proceeded to tell me that the part he was sure I would like was only accessible through some janky sections he was sure I wouldn't like. Since I knew the funky, rooty, rocky section was temporary, I didn't have a hissy fit about having to get off my bike a bunch. It was official, Michael had figured me out.

Finally we made it back to the trail Michael had scouted out for me. It was awesome. The trail was smooth and fun with lots of turns and a few inclines. I was able to go at a fast and consistent speed while also practicing shifting since I was able to see a hill well before I got to it. I had a blast, and because Michael took some video of us on the trail he was able to give me some feedback on my technique once we reviewed the tape.

So it seems I'm over my "whiny quitting phase" and moving into my "let's perfect my skillz" (that's right...skillz...with a "z") phase. I'm already pumped for another ride.

Thanks Michael!!

-A

Not so social ride

Media Fridays

We'll posts videos or photos that will hopefully inspire trail shredding weekends.

The HiFi was in the shop so I took the 4300 out while I waited... here is some footage I got over at Cutler instead of hitting up the  group ride at Landlocked.

Did I win the lottery?

With the injury Michael sustained on our July 3rd bike outing, I wasn't expecting him to be up for riding the next day. Since we always ride together...well, I always ride with him...it took a while for me to realize that I could still ride on Independence Day without my bike buddy.

Now this may not seem like a totally impressive stepping stone considering that I was planning on going back to Cutler Park, which isn't a hard ride at all, and I have technically ridden by myself before around Southie. However, it IS impressive -- and here's why:

Basically, I would have to take all the responsibilities that Michael covers and put them on my plate. Such incidentals include: making sure all equipment is functioning normally, driving to and back from the riding site, lifting my bike up and down off the rack and securing my bike to the rack.

As far as the equipment, I needed to actually (for the first time ever) check that my tires weren't over or under inflated. I needed to make sure all chains were where they needed to be and I had to pay extra attention to my bike while I rode. That last one sounds silly, I know. Believe me, you're going to read a lot of silly sounding things in this blog entry. The truth is though, Michael has always been the one that let me know if my bike isn't functioning properly. I'd love to say I have the ability to tell, but I don't. If I have a tire that is losing pressure -- I don't notice, but he does. If my derailer is bent and causing my chain to skip off the gears, I CAN tell something is weird -- but I figure I'm just doing something wrong and keep going. Michael is like the pit boss when it comes to our equipment, so for this ride I had to make an extra effort to become more in tune with the Wahoo.

Alright, so I know "driving to and back" reads like I was just trying to make my list of solo ride responsibilities longer -- but the truth is that I HATE driving in Boston. I have a doctor that I see every once in a while that is on the way to Cutler Park and every time I have an appointment that I have to drive myself to I get a little ping of anxiety. Top that with the fact that I had to take the Pterodactyl since my car doesn't have a bike rack and the butterflies start dancin' in my belly.

Finally, the whole lifting and securing the bike was the most overwhelming "Michael" thing I had to do. I can lift my bike, don't get me wrong. But it takes a little extra control to lift it and place it exactly where it needs to go then hold it steady while securing it in place. It's just one of those things that is awkward (read: not impossible -- just awkward) when you are only 5'1 and 98lbs. Then of course I had to make sure it was secure about 55 times before actually starting to drive home.

Other than those things, which I handled really well to be honest, the ride was carefree. I went around only 3 times because it was so unbelievably hot. It doesn't show on the pic below that it was over 90 degrees and really humid that day. The end of my water also came with the end of my third lap, so I knew if I went around again I'd feel terrible. But three laps with an average speed of 9 miles an hour is pretty acceptable as far as I'm concerned so I ended up very satisfied with myself.

But as a point of caution for Michael, it isn't really that good of an idea to have your adorable wife ride by herself too much because I definitely got a lot of interested looks from fellow riders. When I got back to the car at the end of my ride I started up the engine to get the A/C going while I loaded everything up. Consequently the music turned on and I got to listen to some awesome 90s rock. Well, a guy that was getting ready to start his ride came over and opened with the line, "A hot girl that bikes AND listens to Pearl Jam. Did I just win the lottery?"

"Nope, just another losing ticket dude. I'm married."

-A

Ride to the... ride

Going for a ride includes:

1. Deciding on which trail to ride

2. Getting my gear together

3. Loading up said gear into the pterodactyl

4. Brining the bike around the back of the building to get to the front, load it

5. Handling my business in traffic to get to the trail safe/sane

6. Putzing around getting everything set (tire pressure, shoes on, garmins all set, etc)

7. Enjoying my time getting my tires dirty (who am I kidding, getting the bike filthy, and myself muddy/smelly)

And now back to town...

8. Loading up the gear and bike

9. Leisurely driving home (since I've gotten my ride in I'm much more "calm") until someone somewhere pulls a dick move which then causes me to "handle my business" on the rode and get home as quickly as possible

10. a. Finding a spot that will accommodate my car AND bike (street parking is FUN!)

b. flashers on, unload the bike real quick, throw it into the foyer and then find a parking spot

c. flashers on, unload bike on random sidewalk, park and ride bike back to condo

11. Dip behind building and stash my bike in the basement hallway

I'm envious of my buddy Sean who has some sweet trails right outside his door.  I'm envious of people who have trails within 5 miles.  On Friday I stopped being envious and I rode the HiFi to the trail!! 

This was a ballsy endeavor for a couple of reasons.  The weather, for one, was being it's badass self and I woke to a day of forecasted thunderstorms.  After accepting the fact that there would be no riding a window of no rain/thunderstorms opened up.  That was all I needed and I google mapped my way from Southie to Cutler Park.  Googles told me that to get from here to there by bike I'd be looking at about 11.8 miles.  Would that give me any ride time legs at Cutler (taking into account that I'd have 11.8 miles to go to get home at the end of the ride)?  I googled my Charles River ride and found out where the  12 or so mile mark was for that ride.  Always felt good at that spot - and then some - so I figured I can get out there and tool around at least a little bit!!

The ride was actually pretty nice.  Getting through Boston I headed down Washington St which was pretty sweet considering they have a whole lane dedicated to buses bikes!  From there I was able to jump on some bike paths (one along Melnea Cass and the SW Corridor) and the scariest of scary - the VFW parkway - was actually pretty sweet as well, with a nice bike lane/shoulder to cruise in.  The route was pretty straight forward and before you knew it I was at Cutler!!

I paused to drink some fluids and munch on a Clif bar and decided to check out the old weather forecast to make sure no storms were heading my way.  Of course I find that where I am now (just outside of Boston) is not in the clear at all, with 50-60% chance of thunderstorms starting NOW!!

What to do... hit the trails at Cutler and risk riding home in a storm, or turn tail now and book it home.  Compromise time!!  I'll do a quick/short loop in Cutler (it had been raining in the overnight anyway so I didn't know what to expect for trail conditions) and then head home.  The trails were pretty sweet, nice hard packed and relatively dry (besides the highway was perfect!!  the other side, a bit soggy).  

On the way back I did a quick tour of Mount Ida as a bunch of our kids typically go there every year.  Nice little campus... but then back to getting home.  Made it home with no rain... could have gotten a "real" ride in at Cutler, DRATS!!  But for a first time trip it was probably best to do a quick ride at Cutler to ensure I'd have legs to get me home.  

I'll likely try to make this a weekly ride to help build up miles in the legs.  This ride also got me scheming a way to make it to the Fells, which is actually a little closer (9.6 miles)!!  It sucks that the miles to get to either trail is all pavement... but at least it's riding!

Seriously??

So on Saturday Annie and I rode out at Cutler Park... but you already knew that.

I have two things to comment on about that ride, well sort of about that ride.

First off, is it me or are the chipmunks absolutely looney this year??  When I was at Foxboro they seemed to fearlessly play chicken with my front tire.  Darting across my path from out of nowhere to narrowly escape being "trail kill."  I swear I at least clipped one...  So when they were pulling some of the same sorts of shenanigans at Cutler it lead me to believe it wasn't just a tribe of crazies limited to Foxboro, but an unabashed bravado these little guys are carrying throughout the region... thoughts??

Secondly, I was super proud that Annie pushed on for that extra lap.  She had just about convinced me we were done and I had resigned to packing up when she called for the final lap.  That's my girl!!  But that wasn't my "secondly" that was more of a side note/important statement.  So, secondly... I messed up my ankle pretty bad on our "easy" ride.  Looping around Cutler I began playing around on the 4300.  Hopping what I could, taking the "hardest" lines, and practicing no hands riding.  All fun and games - and we know how that ends.  No I didn't loose an eye, but I caused a nice bloody mess as we were for real ending the ride.

I decided for some reason that this would be a good time to do a (on the pavement of course) trials style stop and turn.  I slowed and readied myself, I shifted my weight forward, lifted my back wheel and whipped it around.  Tire touches down, I stand balanced for a second amazed that it worked and then here comes gravity.  As I begin falling my right foot doesn't come unclipped and down I go.

So that is how that is supposed to go....

My fatal flaw was once I got the rear wheel around and placed I did nothing really with the front.  I didn't reposition, I didn't roll out, I just stood... and that didn't last long.  So as I fall, to the right of course, my left foot is unclipped, and upon impact with the ground my left ankle decides to take on the big ring... and we all know who comes out the winner in that battle.

I pop up, more embarrassed than anything, and take a quick inventory.  My left ankle is bleeding massively, my right ankle is a bit sore from NOT coming out of the pedal, and I have a nice chunk of gravel in my right palm.  I've said it before, it's not biking if you aren't bleeding.  So all is ok with the world... for now.

As the night progresses the pain in my left ankle intensifies until I am left hobbling Sunday through to Monday.  Yesterday I had plans of hitting Wompatuck to get some good mileage in before hitting Foxboro for my rocky training ground today.  The ankle was feeling better, but still gave a nice twinge of "remember me" whenever taking stairs, so I decided I should take the day from riding and utilize the ankle to do some heavy lifting around the house while it is "good."  

So here we are, Wednesday morning with temperatures projected to be in the 90s, and I will be out testing the ankle in Foxboro... I will push my ankle as far as I can, but I'm stuck with a race coming up and the need to ride to prepare... this will be a balancing act of coddling my ankle to ensure it is 100% for the race and riding my ass off to get ready for the race.  Fun times!

"Watch the bike!"

Vicious Chipmunk

Failure to Launch

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Big Ringin' It

Saturday Annie and I went out to Wompatuck to get her out on her clipless pedals.  Don't believe whatever she writes - she did awesome on the ride!!  I won't go into any details whatsoever as I don't want to be beaten into submission like I was for the last post (you'll see...).

Sunday I struggled with where to ride...  I wanted to head up to Ipswich to ride at Willowdale (the site of my next race) as the last time I rode there half of the park was still covered in snow.  I hopped into the internets and searched for a race map - but what I found instead was another rider's request for a race map and the response was hopeful, yet crushed my drive to get up there to ride.  EDIT: The facebook snipet janked up the whole page, and so it has been removed.

 

Considering how much snow there was the last time, and the water levels I've seen just driving around, I assumed that riding up there on Sunday would be a bust.  So I decided to ride over at Cutler Park.  I had seen reports over on NEMBA that some riders had cleared things up and the trails were good.  And boy were they right!!  It was a fun fast ride.  I was able to throw down in the big ring on the majority of the ride.  The other reason for the fun was my new gear.  

 

So you know about the garms (garmin edge) but you don't know about my new Pearl Izumi Elite Bib Shorts.  I wanted to get them for the first race, but didn't want to order bib shorts over the internet because I wasn't sure of the fit and whatnot.  While we were in The Web I got myself a pair when I got Annie her shoes.  LOVE them.  Consider me a full on bike nerd now.  They were soooo comfortable and it was nice to not catch any baggy shell on the nose of the seat, or have them slide down over the knee.  Just full on riding!

 

The next big purchase will probably be some new shoes, which I have at least narrowed down the color.  I'm digging my red sneakers - so I think (if possible) my next shoes will be red - add a little flash out there.  Probably a new helmet on the horizon as well... but one step at a time here.  

 

I think my "race kit" will obviously include the PI Bibs and my singletracks.com jersey (since it's my only jersey with black in it).  Looks like rain for the majority of the week... boo that!  But on the bright side I guess I'll be able to get back to the gym - haven't worked out in about a month! YIKES!