Time for a review

I've pretty much been a water guy while riding. It was a simple choice back in the days when I was riding with a camelbak. It continued as I transitioned to bottles.  Most of the time I didn't think my rides were long enough to necessitate me thinking about hydration, or really nutrition. You see, I've been pretty bad about treating myself right on the bike.

I'd always carry some sort of nutrition on my rides, but typically only reaching for it when I started to bonk. Basically, too late. Sure it would give me enough to get out of a trail, but I wasn't being an effective rider that way. On planned longer rides I have played around with different hydration options and have always been pretty pleased with increased performance; who knew this stuff was actually important?

With a new goal, the snake creek gap time trial, on the horizon; things have got to change. I was in the LBS one day stocking up for a ride out in Dupont when I stumbled upon Osmo. I grabbed a few single serves and was hooked. 

Flavor wise, it's spot on for me. There is no overpowering sweetness, just a smooth mild flavor, enough to tickle your taste buds but not bog down the hydration process. I know that first ride wasn't a huge epic ride, or a torturous death march, but sipping on Osmo for the first time had me feeling fresh all day. 

Ok, that kinda sounded like a feminine product line, but this stuff is legit. I've been using it on my training rides, and when used properly I've seen/felt great results. Basically, my legs seem to maintain more energy deeper into my rides - that certainly is a good thing!

Down at the Southern Singlespeed Championships I put Osmo to the test. Probably not the type of test conditions they would set up, but it is a real life testament to the effectiveness of their product. Disclaimer: the Southern Singlespeed Championships were hosted by the Faster Mustache crew and sponsored by (one of many sponsors, but germaine to this test) Terrapin Beer Company. Testing conditions: a bunch of singlespeeders directed by the Faster Mustache crew, beer flowing freely, and a 20 mile XC race. 

Let's just be honest, I woke up on race day "less then hydrated."  I got to work downing water as I ate some breakfast. My head was telling me that water alone wasn't doing the trick, so as I mixed my two bottles of Osmo for the race I decided to drink a bottle of Osmo before the race in hopes of righting the ship. 

After a brief warmup I was actually feeling pretty good, had Osmo already proven its merit before the start if the race?  The race starts, and I'm off on trails I've never seen before. I'm able to grab a wheel for the majority of the first lap which has me flying through a fun course but provides little opportunity to stay on top of hydration. Through my training I've found that downing a bottle every 50-60 minutes puts me in a good place. At the end if lap one I had to pull up to adjust a slipping seat post and notice that after 50ish minutes of racing I still have half (if not more) of my first bottle left. Not where I wanted to be. 

I'm back on the bike as fast as I can and cranking through the trails alone. As I stand to climb the first twinge of cramps attack. I started the morning in a "hole," and although I had felt good at the start I hadn't stayed on top of my hydration schedule. I start downing Osmo whenever the trail allows and quickly finish my first bottle (when I should already be into my second). I eat a little something as I pedal on, and my legs seem to come back as I continue to be more mindful of hydrating. 

Before I'm able to catch up on downing liquids to the point of where I should have been I have one more muscle revolt as I enter a climb. I continue riding and drinking. As I continue to drink I chase the cramps away. I finish the race with no more protests from my legs. 

Was that the "correct" use of the product?  Nope. I failed to keep on top of my already proven schedule - but that's racing. And that's one aspect I have to keep working at while racing - hydrating. But, it sure was a nice feeling to be able to beat back cramps (all while cursing myself for not staying on track and preventing them in the first place) and finish the race cranking away. I did not have to once dismount or walk. So that there is a victory. I've never been able to come back from cramps and finish that strong on water alone. 

Next step?  Get more Osmo, I'm just about out. 

Landmine Classic

Media Fridays

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

I miss this race... used to be my old stomping grounds.  Now that we are settled down here in Charlotte... well almost completely settled.  The bathroom reno should be wrapping up next week, and then I get to finally start on my bike room - right now it is a pile of dusty bikes and bathroom materials.

Anyway, once we are in the groove down here it is time to start thinking about possibly visits back up north.  I know it is too late for this year, but perhaps next year I can get a visit to coincide with the Landmine Classic.

SoSSC

Just as we finished the race, I will be concluding my race report after Dicky.

Having never seen the course before I wasn't looking to blaze ahead myself, so I decided to grab a wheel and follow. The pace we settled in on was a tad slower than I wanted, but it was ok. Two riders came up and passed quick, I thought about jumping on their train, but I lost the opportunity to pass my leader so I stayed put. 

As another rider came up and asked to pass I made the decision I would follow him. He got up and around, and I got my pass in after some punchy climbs and got to chasing my new carrot down. 

Up ahead I could see a rider jumping back into the frey (dunno if he had stopped or crashed) but I was on his wheel as he was getting back up to speed. I had found my pace mate. For the majority of the first lap I chased him down. He'd get a little room as we flew through the trail, and I'd instantly pounce on him with any incline. He asked if I wanted to get around but I admitted that I didn't think I'd be able to stay in front at the pace we were going given I didn't know the trail. Being able to see him enter turns I was unfamiliar with allowed me to maintain much more speed. I did make a deal with myself that if we were together for the second lap that I would do my duty and pull. 

I was enjoying the trail immensely. Until i noticed my seatpost had been slipping. All of a sudden this took over my focus. Whenever we hit anything straight my eyes were down between my legs trying to figure our how much it was slipping and, if i would need to stop and address the issue, instead of staying on the guy I was chasing. I was starting to lose ground as we came up on (what would be) the last big climb. I had a rider catching up fast behind me so I let him get by before the climb because I didn't want to slow him down. As we cleared the climb and I powered to catch back up I could tell my pedal stroke had been shortened too much - this wasn't going to work. 

I resigned myself to the fact that I would stop as we entered lap 2 to fix the problem. It was so hard to let them go, but I pulled up and got to getting my saddle back up to height and tightened it up, hoping this would solve the issue for the remainder of the race. By now I couldn't see anyone. I thought I heard someone coming up behind so I gave a quick look (didn't see anyone) and jumped back on the Glow Worm and took off. 

The second lap got tough. I had no one to chase down, and I realized I hadn't drank enough as my leg started to cramp as I stood to climb.  I started downing my first of two bottles in hopes that it would keep the cramps away. I tried to stay on top and keep pushing, but I could feel myself give up speed without that extra push. Then my back started killing me. Motivation to push was all but gone. Between moving around to try to loosen my back up while on the saddle (nearly impossible) to worries in the back of my head that my legs would seize up in a giant ball of cramps on the next climb, I couldn't help but slow on climbs. 

Every now and again I would catch speed through the flow of the trail and would be able to maintain it and get back on top of my gear. I had a flicker of cramps again, and quickly got back to drinking. Now that I knew the course I could space out the Osmo I had left and successfully beat my cramps back down. 

As I was struggling to stay in the race in my mind I has to reflect that 1. this trail is awesome and 2. the heavy rain we got was much needed for the race today. You could tell the trail could get sandy in spots, but with the pour we got the afternoon before everything was settled and solid. It was glorious. 

Before I knew it I was on the last climb. I grinder my way up and then got to finding the finish line. I wasn't exactly sure where they would have us finish (would they make us ride the road all the way back to the start?) and all if a sudden I come around a corner and see a woman standing by a tree. She is pointing in the direction of the trail and says "you're all finished."

It kinda seemed anticlimactic. I could see the finished riders sitting around in the parking lot, and I needed reassurance so I called out to confirm that we were done. I was told I could do another lap if I wanted, but that I was good to go. And good to go I was!  I ducked under the tape and enjoyed being able to stop. 

I finished. I wasn't top 3, I wasn't last. They weren't keeping time, and I don't know exactly what place I came in among my age group, but it doesn't matter. I had fun. I was happy with my first lap. A little disappointed in my second. But I didn't walk anything and I learned I need to be much better with hydrating (a 20 mile race is MUCH different then the shorter Car3 XC races I am used to). 

I do want to thank the Faster Mustache guys for putting on a great event. It was fun all around!  I've found a new beer to enjoy - that Terrapin Hopsecutioner was amazing! And I even got to chat with Dicky, who had less hate for the fat bikes then I would have expected. 

Will I be back next year? YES. And you should come to!

Almost

Waking up while camping always seems kinda peaceful. The morning light grows slowly, causing one to stir (a little earlier then you had planned...) and face the day. 

1st question, how bad of a hurting did I put on myself with the beverage consumption last night. As always, I had a couple more than advisable for mountain bike racing the next day. Plan of attack/recovery: eat, hydrate, sweat it out!

Grabbed my "everything" bagel and started dipping into my onion and chives cream cheese, chasing it down with the biggest water bottle I had.  I slowly got ready, sifting through wet gear and eating a clif bar. I mixed my bottles for the race, and one for pre race - downing that Osmo goodness to try to help get me on level ground. My head did not appreciate any sort of bending over, which worried me. How would it react to racing?

Finishing my bottle of hydrating magic I hopped on my bike to see how much my head/body would revolt. To my surprise, things were "ok."  I spun out on the roads of the camp ground attacking hills and searching for the start of the course. I found it, after a nice road climb (and of course, descent) but was running short on time so no chance to explore the trails at all. I headed back up the hill and stopped in quick at the pterodactyl before the start for some more water. 

Drinking water now tasted horrible. I hit that point where my body was calling it quits on the forced hydration, so be it. I joined the disheveled mob at the start and listened to our directions. 

The siren went off and we all took off at various speeds. The fast people shot out, the rest of use found our pace. I was spinning out until we got to the climb where I was able to bridge the building gap, catching the back of the front pack before we crested the hill. Tucking we flew down the backside toward the trail. 

Now I'm severely out of time, and will likely not be able to finish this at work... so until tomorrow. 

It rained

I got down to Georgia around 1 on Saturday and there wasn't really any rain. I set up camp with a great water view and pondered my next move, pre ride  tomorrow's course or race short track. A quick poll of the internerds provided enough feedback to get me racing on both days. 

I hit the short track and loved it instantly!  Less than a mile the route went through campsites (up and over railroad tie embankments), down stairs, and through the sand pit of a kiddies playground.  It was fun. I rode a couple laps to find my lines and then it was time to wait for the start. 

That is when the rain happened. Serious rain. Enough rain to make me question racing. But, I was already wet, so I stood around and waited. Luckily there was a pop up set up by the start/finish that provided some shelter. Eventually it started to let up some and the race was on. 

They ran smaller heats of 4(ish) racers at a time, top 2 advancing. My heat ended up leaping someone and I was caught up behind a rider from the previous heat. Didn't have enough course to catch back up so it was one and done for me. 

Once the race was finished people took a fat bike off a dock. 

It was amusing to say the least. 

I had already dried off and changed so I did not partake in the jumping. 

The weather cleared and, as one would imagine, much beer was consumed that evening.  

Although the rain kept Annie (and others... Jon "Danger: of being a chut" Evans) away, it would turn out to be exactly what the trail needed. 

Ok... so 2 or 1?

With thunderstorms looming (80% chance) for Saturday, Annie is starting to back out on the whole camping trip idea.  I get it... no one wants to sit in a tent during a thunderstorm - especially not knowing if it will be quick storms or an all day affair...

Right now - "Isolated morning thunderstorms in the morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely... Chance of rain 80%"  You know weathermen... they are correct all the time.  So I'll keep checking throughout the evening, but this whole singlespeed adventure might be solo.

1 or 2?

This weekend, as I head to Georgia for the Southern Singlespeed Championships, Annie is coming with me!  Annie hasn't been to a race in a while... I think the winter series was the last time, but I don't blame her.  There typically isn't much spectating available at XC races.  Since it will be a weekend long event, and we haven't gone camping in a looong time, we figured two birds/one stone and all that jazz.  The next question was, do we bring the dogs?

Yes.  No.  Maybe?  Yes.  Maybe not Scout...  It's not that we wouldn't LOVE to have Scout with us, but she can be a bit of a spazz with her barking and growling.  She sounds tough, but at the same time she is barking or growling at someone she is backing up and trying to find her way in between my legs.  She was a rescue.  A rescue at a very young age mind you, but she's always been skiddish.  So, a camp ground full of rowdy singlespeeders is probably not the best place for her... or for me getting any sleep as she barks at anyone still up partying.  Or for Annie trying to mind two dogs while I'm out riding around in the woods.

So, I think the plan will be to leave Scout at home with my brother while Annie, Maggie, and myself head down this weekend.  Maggie loves the water, and she hasn't been swimming in quite a while, so that will be nice for her.  Plus, she's a Georgia girl - it's about time she got back to her home state.

I'm excited for this weekend.  Not sure how the "race" will go - but I'm betting on FUN!  Looking forward to seeing a bunch of people I know, kinda know (internerd style), and have never heard of before.  Let's just hope I, and the Glow Worm, make it out in one piece!