Official

It's official, as "they" say.  Who are "they," I dunno... Probably just me.

All that aside, I've made it through the red tape and visited various locations all in the name of getting my license, title, and plates switched over to the North Carolina variety.

First stop was to get my license.  Well, actually the very first stop was getting insurance.  But that wasn't so exciting, so I'll skip it.  Trust me, I got insurance.

So, my license.  Down here you have to take the written test no matter what.  It was rather easy, but still made me just nervous enough that I skimmed through the handbook the DMV puts out.  I learned one thing, NC has about a million ways to take your license away.  I had to run home and get my passport because they couldn't accept my Massachusetts license as ID because it didn't have my full middle name, just my middle initial.  Luckily the DMV wasn't far so I was able to run back and get it and sit for my wonderful license picture.

Next step was to go get my license plate.  Oh, but wait.  You can't go until your official license arrives in the mail 8-10 days later.  Ok.  Get my license and drag my ass over to the separate plate place and see an out of control line... yeah, I'll come back.  I made the mistake of heading over there around lunchtime, so my fault.  I returned a couple hours later and the line wasn't so bad.  Gave my loan info and paid the fees and got my plate and registration.

I'm all NC on paper now.

Goodbye MA (I'll leave the Southie parking
stickers in the window to represent)

Having only one plate now left the front looking very naked... that had to be remedied.  I pulled out my old Georgia Bulldogs vanity plate from my days down at UGA, which solved that problem.  But, I can't just represent UGA, I then had to throw my UCONN plate holder thingy on the back.

Now, I know all won't agree with this, but I have to say - my experience with the DMVs down here have been the most pleasant in my history of DMV experiences (which include CT, MA, and GA).  Lines moved at a decent pace, which is probably the most important thing to anyone in a DMV.  But on top of that, all the employees I dealt with were pleasant, one might even say nice!  Seriously.  It wasn't the normal grumble greeting you'd get at the Chinatown RMV in Boston.

Race your own race

Sunday my plan was to NOT go hard off the front.  That clearly hadn't been working for me as I haven't been able to hold out that pace for the entire race.  Not only couldn't I hold out the pace, my performance would inevitably deteriorate and I would just end up giving up spots.  So new game plan, go mid-pack off the start and let other riders guide me.

What I mean by that is allow for there to be racers in front of me.  What I mean by that in plain English: don't feel the need to blow by everyone as soon as you see them!!  With that sort of mindset I never allowed myself to recover... hence the blowing up and performance suck.

At the start the rider in front of me (with toe clips) couldn't get onto his pedal and completely stalled.  The problem being: we were packed in there at the start and I was right on his wheel... so it felt like right off the start I was stuck in a track stand.  Got around him and put it down but ended up towards the end as we entered the singletrack.  Remember yesterday when I talked about the 10%?  As the pack slowed for the funnel to the singletrack one racer behind me decided he didn't have to wait.  I saw him out of my peripherals making a late move as everyone else was slowing and thought "dick."  I didn't like it, but I was going to have to allow him in front of me as we were weaving through the parking barriers and into the singletrack.  I guess that spot wasn't good enough for him and he went into the track beside another rider.  Which startled the other rider (because who the hell makes a move like that, off the start, off the back of the pack??) and he verbalized some sort of question... like... "what the fuck?"  The "fast" rider said nothing and kept pushing - almost sending the rider in front of me into a tree.  Mind you we were RIGHT behind him through the singletrack so nothing was accomplished with the move... (Sub-goal of the race - beat that douche)*

Following the pack through the singletrack was slow.... now I remember what I liked going off the front.  But as soon as we hit the gravel I was ready to go - BUT I had to contain myself.  I allowed myself a quick pass of 2-3 riders but held back and settled in behind the next group as we went through the grass section.  Typically I would have just put it down and worked by everyone in that group... but that would have left me sucking wind going through the parking lot and just losing spots back.  As we got through the start/finish I had passed two of the riders and was on the wheel of another.  This was my race.  Catching up to riders in the singletrack, following them through the grass, and passing up the gravel road/parking lot before entering the singletrack again.

On my last lap I passed what I thought would be my final rider in the grass.  I made a clear call and as I passed him I told him to not give up, keep on me.  I turned onto the gravel road for the last push and heard someone coming up fast - had he really regained that much energy (felt like I had dropped him instantly in the grass)?  It was the third place rider in the class below me - side story.  On the second to last lap I knew the lead rider would be coming... I was behind a group of three in the singletrack and as we were working the small up to the boulder (right before you kick onto the gravel road might I add) the lead came up behind yelling he was the leader and for me to let him pass.  Fair enough, but where would he like to pass??  There was no place for me to pull over and continue riding, so I yelled to him that the gravel road was just ahead (if I was alone maybe I would have paused for him, but being I was in a battle with the riders in front of me, I wasn't going to stop my race for him).  As we cleared the boulder and were getting the road the riders in front yelled back asking him which side he wanted and we shifted for him and he passed.  The rider in second came up a few seconds later calling his pass clearly and executing cleanly.**

Ok, back to it... so third place had just passed me moving!!  I tried to jump on his wheel but couldn't grab - but I kept my pace up because I saw that there was another rider ahead who looked like he was struggling.  I couldn't tell if he was in my class or not but I was gaining on him.  Problem being is that the third place racer reached him first, spooked him, and he took off before I could get close enough to challenge him.  He was in my class... ah well.

Although my finish wasn't spectacular, or even out of the range of where I have been finishing (15th out of 25) my lap times were MUCH better.  Destroyed my times from last race - but I was ill so that isn't hard...  I probably felt strongest in the first race of the series, and comparing those times I was still faster per lap in Sunday's race.

Race #4

Race #1

Clearly I had a faster first lap going off the front - but I fell way off on each lap thereafter.  If I can get a better pack start, keep my lap times around/under 4:50 then hopefully I can be looking at breaking into the top 10.  Either way, I was happy with my performance Sunday.  One thing to remember, race your own race.  I can't recover from an off the front start - so I need to battle through the field.  Which I like, gives me a goal through each lap - someone to reel in.  So much easier than racing with no one in front of you.

* After the race I was talking with the racer who got cut off.  He said he approached our super fast friend (who we both placed higher than) asking why he felt the need for such a move.  His first response was to ask if he wanted to throw down... WOW.  Then he offered an explanation, "that's why we have insurance!"  Sure, so we can make jackass moves without a second thought.  It's cool if someone breaks a collar bone or leg - we have insurance!!  The racers only "real" reason for making his move was to "be where he was supposed to be" in the race... sure.  Well, looks like the back is where he was supposed to be...

** I was talking with another racer after the race and I mentioned the leader coming through on our second to last lap.  He mentioned how the leader had reached him before he came to me at the boulder, yelling for a pass.  They reached a spot in the singletrack where there was just enough room for the leader to try to make a move - which he did.  But his pass wasn't clean and he hit the racer's front wheel with his rear, almost sending him off the trail.  I get it, you want to be able to lap racers, and pass slower guys (hey, I get to pass people too!!) but you've got to make smart moves.  Yeah it can suck to be stuck behind someone on a section you know you can clear faster... but that is racing.  If you want unobstructed hot laps, ride while everyone else is at work.

It's in the name

Yesterday's race was probably my "best" of the series.  But, I'll get into that tomorrow.

Today I want to talk about the acquisition of another piece of the One9 build.  At the race, Good Guy Greg (of the B-43 cast of characters) proved just how true the monicker is.  Riding a rigid Niner singlespeed (of the Air9 variety) I've chatted with Greg about my own build.  Along the way to setting up his rig Greg happened upon two sets of spacers through an order debacle.  At yesterdays race Greg handed me a set of spacers.

Let me back up a second there, he didn't just hand me a set of spacers, he handed me an Endless Bike Fibonacci Spacer Kit.  The very kind that has been approved* by Dicky.  What is a spacer kit?  Well, it fills the space (YES!!  super definition!) left with the use of only one cog instead of the 8-10/11 that you may find on a mountain bike.  Of course, when building a ss specific wheel that space will be even smaller... but there will still be space needing to be filled.  In my brief foray into looking at which kit to get (before dropping the idea until I get wheels) I surmised that this very kit seemed to be the badassest of them all.  So many sizes of rings to help produce the most important function of a spacer kit, yes, even more important than filling space...  providing for a straight chain line from the front chainring to your lone cog in the rear.

So, I got this from Good Guy Greg, all from the goodness of his heart.  Heck, he didn't even know I needed one.  He just brought it to the race and offered it up if I hadn't already gotten one!!  That's mountain bikers for you - generally* good people.  

Big THANKS to Good Guy Greg - I owe you one... or 6/12 really good cold ones.

*Dicky doesn't whole heartedly "approve" things... and didn't give this product any sort of seal to that effect (that I am aware of).

*Generally, somewhere in the realm of 90/10 good/dick ratio.  But I'll have an example of the 10 in my race recap tomorrow (if I remember to include it).

Media Fridays

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

With Nemo on the way, the Northeast better hold on tight. 

 

I've got a race this weekend, and it should be in the high 50s.  Have I mentioned that I love winters down here??

Stay safe all my New Englanders!!  I would say that I miss riding in the snow... but I'll just enjoy the videos instead.  (It does look like they are having a ton of fun)

Riding Nowhere

Ok, the house has seemed to settle from the weekend illness, and I myself seem to be back on track as well.  Unfortunately, I missed the Tuesday night ride - figuring a little more rest was probably the smarter option and all...  I guess it paid off.

Yesterday it was time to hop on the trainer.  Not really something to look forward to.  As I was getting set up and whatnot I could tell my legs weren't going to be happy with me.  Seems that the lack of activity over the past couple days had some negative effect - mainly my legs felt heavy, dead, and I guess tight.

Climbed aboard the trainer I did and I jammed out the workout.  Definitely felt it in my legs.  Felt the burn.  Pushed the burn.  Felt like dying.  Spit and snotted all over the place, but rode the hell (or as much of hell I could manage) out of the workout.

Question - am I seeing any benefits?  Well, it's only been a month of the regiment.  So I'm not sure if it's fair to really start looking for big results.  But, as I mentioned last week - I beat a PR on a local trail when I was just out riding... so for not pushing myself to beat my time (and stopping to move a downed tree) I was quicker.  Is that due to fitness, smarter riding, the moons aligning just right??  Who knows.

I do know that when I was in Boston and rode my trainer per schedule utilizing training videos (which had a similar effort schedule) I felt a lot faster and stronger on the bike once the trails were free from snow, the sun stuck around for a reasonable amount of time, and the temperatures weren't killer.  So, is the trainer helping the winter series, probably not.  But pair the trainer and the winter series and you've got some good work going into my legs and lungs.

Hold on for a wild ride

The weekend ended with a house full of sickies... Annie was the first, so she gets the blame for the downfall of the house.  Translation - I didn't get to go visit, and work on, the super secret trail.

But, I DID get to ride out at Uwharrie with a bunch of the B-43 characters on Saturday.  It was a bit chilly to start (low/mid 30s) but the riding ahead would keep us warm.  The trail was in pretty good shape, a little snotty in some places where the trail was thawing.  And the route was perfect.

My last ride out there I hit Keyauwee counterclockwise and I can now say, don't do that!!  Keyauwee is so much better clockwise.  Either way you ride it there is plenty of climbing involved, but the downhill is so much better clockwise - you get more exciting singletrack and a tabletop filled line when you hit it clockwise.  As I had mentioned last time, Supertree was a little less then super.  This time we hit Whitetail (which bisects the Supertree loop) and it was a much better ride - save the downed tree in a downhill section.

Ok, this is where things are going to get unhinged... so hold on.

After the ride we were talking about beer (shocker right, mountain bikers talking about beer) and we stumbled upon a translation issue.

Apparently in Ireland "growler" is a slang term for...  well, lady bits.
So, of course we had some laughs about that.

At one point I proposed the creation of a new racing team in honor of our verbal discovery, being the mature individual I am.  To further commemorate the creation I am thinking that Bigfoot should get a nod in this endeavor.

Bigfoot?  Well, apparently Uwharrie is a haven for the Sasquatch.

The only Bigfoot I know is named Harry.  But he's a big movie star.

Speaking of movies... there is a movie out there about the Uwharrie Bigfoot, you can see it in full (for free) over at Vimeo.

So, what do we know about Bigfoot?

You shouldn't mess with him, or his beef jerky.

He likes riding bikes.

But doesn't like to share the trail.

He likes to race.  (And is a bit of a cheater, looks like a pretty big head start there)

He isn't so strong on the climbs.

From what I can gather from this police artist's rendering, looks like Bigfoot isn't a stranger to bike theft... which makes sense, as Bigfoot isn't typically known to hold down a great paying job.

presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law

And the most controversial piece of evidence yet... Bigfoot or a homeless guy - you decide.

Whatcha got in the bag "Bigfoot"?

Ok, so let's try to get things back on track here.  We have: bike riding, beer, growlers (reader discretion as to the definition), Bigfoot, and a "racing team".  But, before I wrap things up, here is one more detour.  Growlers (the American kind) and bicycles brings us this interestingly sexy beast.

 It's the Growler City Bike from J.Ruiter.

This “Growler” concept concept city commuter is a working sketch prototype in a series of thoughts on what we carry around with us and the importance of those items."

A bike built around beer - perfect!

Ok, so to sum up this rambling post.  Uwharrie was a fun time.  Illness all around the house.  Bigfoot likes bikes.  Growlers are good all around - beer and otherwise.  A mock race team loosely named Growler Racing, Team Sasquatch Growler, Bigfoot Growler Racing, etc. (name finalization and kit design in development).  And J.Ruiter is putting together some sexy beer inspired rides.

I'll be better soon, and thoughts will be more coherent (maybe).

so yeah...

Media Fridays

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

Yesterday I said I would today talk about what I'd be doing tomorrow and the day after...  no, I won't.  I forgot what day it was again, but now I remember.  It's Friday - and if you can read the bold big bit above, you know what that means.

Ok, even though I just directed your attention to the bit above, I'm going in a little different direction today.  THOM had face informed the world of a little event held by Roll It Forward (a sweet little initiative in good old Beaner).  On the page there is a video, that involves GIANT MONKEYS, bikes, and a very strange but catchy song.  Unfortunately, I couldn't manipulate the video in such a way as to present it to you here... so I will send you there.  If you would just be so kind to click the link.  

LINK

Well... since I couldn't provide the video entertainment here, I guess I'll give you a glimpse at what I'll be hitting up (with a gnar thrashing fu manchu) tomorrow.

Hopefully, there will be no crashing. (1:03)