It's a Bailey. I cracked one and when I was fighting to get it warrantied I called it a China carbon frame. The owner of the company got pissed and wrote me the following:
frame builder said:
Last edited:
Jshort’s bike thread
- Thread starter Jeremy
- Start date
It's a Bailey. I cracked one and when I was fighting to get it warrantied I called it a China carbon frame. The owner of the company got pissed and wrote me the following:
Two for one!
Nittany came on Sunday after a week’s vacation. I missed recapping Nittany because Monday morning after a week’s vacation is way too crazy to spend on a race recap…
Nittany went about as well as I expected, probably a little worse. When I break up the race into 3 parts it went like this:
Start –
My legs were just like “Hey man, fuck this shit. Let’s get a beer or something”. I’m no Jens Voight, I didn’t tell them to shut up. By the time I made it to the mud pit, my advantage from a 3rd row starting position had dissolved and I was barely treading water. My lack of snap at the start was expected, it probably comes from not doing any cross practices or practicing starts at all for that matter. Practice what you preach.
Middle-
More treading water. The only thing keeping me from being completely left in the dust was bike handling. I was much faster through the turns, up the stairs, and over the barriers. Being towards the back of the pack was a likely contributor. Had I been at the front, I’m not sure my skills would have shined so brightly.
Last lap-
Why am I still out here? How long ago did they finish? Is [name removed] really passing me?
Conclusion –
Nittany was a total shit show, but In the back of my mind I knew it would be. I didn’t prepare for it and that’s what happens.
If I had to come up with a few positives they would be:
1. My heart rate was super high the entire time. 180-190. I hadn’t seen 190 since early summer racing.
2. I still have decent handling on a cross bike
3. I was super motivated after the race.
The week between Nittany and Town Hall I really tried to get back in the training mentality. I’ve been doing the workouts, but that’s about it. Diet has been poor, I was drinking too much beer, and that impacts sleep. My weight the morning of Nittany was 175. That’s 6-7 lbs over what I usually am….and I felt it.
Gains are not made from a week’s worth of cleansing, so I was ready for another ass kicking at town hall. I lined up next to Brian L, who lined up next to Dave F. Brian said he was just going to follow Dave to the top of the hill, and I figured that would be a good train for me to jump on for as long as I could hang. Once we take off, Dave slipped a pedal or something and was suddenly facing sideways. Brian locked up his brakes and I rode away. On to plan B, I try to dig down and just hang with the guys around me. I was fairly successful and don’t think I bled as many spots as I did at Nittany. Dave blew by me a few minutes later though.
The 35+ group stayed together for a while and I was able to see the leader for ¾’s of a lap. Thinking of @Delish ‘s words, I was constantly looking for those free watts. Attempting to take the right lines, maintain as much speed as possible through the turns, avoiding the goons, etc. My barrier game was on point and I usually gapped whoever was near me when we crossed them. I may not look pretty doing them, but there was no stutter and I was back on the bike a step after the barrier.
Once I settled into my groove I led a group of 4 through the second half of the race. I had a lot more snap than I did last week and I didn’t bleed any spots after the second lap. I did not however enjoy the @The Heckler hill too much. At my best, I feel like I was a slightly above average climber. On Saturday at town hall, I felt like a D- climber. Even with a 40-32 I was having a hard time making any gains and I honestly feel like this should be a section that I power up. More motivation.
Finally, at the end of the race I fended off a bunch of attacks. Each time someone would jump on my wheel, I was able to pull away. This is night and day from last week and a sign my legs are coming around. I am still nowhere near where I want to be, but it’s still early. Considering I have no real goals for cross, it’s all just for fun.
Next race isn’t until Oct 15th @ Cooper River.
Nittany came on Sunday after a week’s vacation. I missed recapping Nittany because Monday morning after a week’s vacation is way too crazy to spend on a race recap…
Nittany went about as well as I expected, probably a little worse. When I break up the race into 3 parts it went like this:
Start –
My legs were just like “Hey man, fuck this shit. Let’s get a beer or something”. I’m no Jens Voight, I didn’t tell them to shut up. By the time I made it to the mud pit, my advantage from a 3rd row starting position had dissolved and I was barely treading water. My lack of snap at the start was expected, it probably comes from not doing any cross practices or practicing starts at all for that matter. Practice what you preach.
Middle-
More treading water. The only thing keeping me from being completely left in the dust was bike handling. I was much faster through the turns, up the stairs, and over the barriers. Being towards the back of the pack was a likely contributor. Had I been at the front, I’m not sure my skills would have shined so brightly.
Last lap-
Why am I still out here? How long ago did they finish? Is [name removed] really passing me?
Conclusion –
Nittany was a total shit show, but In the back of my mind I knew it would be. I didn’t prepare for it and that’s what happens.
If I had to come up with a few positives they would be:
1. My heart rate was super high the entire time. 180-190. I hadn’t seen 190 since early summer racing.
2. I still have decent handling on a cross bike
3. I was super motivated after the race.
The week between Nittany and Town Hall I really tried to get back in the training mentality. I’ve been doing the workouts, but that’s about it. Diet has been poor, I was drinking too much beer, and that impacts sleep. My weight the morning of Nittany was 175. That’s 6-7 lbs over what I usually am….and I felt it.
Gains are not made from a week’s worth of cleansing, so I was ready for another ass kicking at town hall. I lined up next to Brian L, who lined up next to Dave F. Brian said he was just going to follow Dave to the top of the hill, and I figured that would be a good train for me to jump on for as long as I could hang. Once we take off, Dave slipped a pedal or something and was suddenly facing sideways. Brian locked up his brakes and I rode away. On to plan B, I try to dig down and just hang with the guys around me. I was fairly successful and don’t think I bled as many spots as I did at Nittany. Dave blew by me a few minutes later though.
The 35+ group stayed together for a while and I was able to see the leader for ¾’s of a lap. Thinking of @Delish ‘s words, I was constantly looking for those free watts. Attempting to take the right lines, maintain as much speed as possible through the turns, avoiding the goons, etc. My barrier game was on point and I usually gapped whoever was near me when we crossed them. I may not look pretty doing them, but there was no stutter and I was back on the bike a step after the barrier.
Once I settled into my groove I led a group of 4 through the second half of the race. I had a lot more snap than I did last week and I didn’t bleed any spots after the second lap. I did not however enjoy the @The Heckler hill too much. At my best, I feel like I was a slightly above average climber. On Saturday at town hall, I felt like a D- climber. Even with a 40-32 I was having a hard time making any gains and I honestly feel like this should be a section that I power up. More motivation.
Finally, at the end of the race I fended off a bunch of attacks. Each time someone would jump on my wheel, I was able to pull away. This is night and day from last week and a sign my legs are coming around. I am still nowhere near where I want to be, but it’s still early. Considering I have no real goals for cross, it’s all just for fun.
Next race isn’t until Oct 15th @ Cooper River.
Mountain Bike Mike
Well-Known Member
@jShort - Last year, you rode deep into the season and that yielded some very good results as you went into December... A podium if I recall. You thinking a gradual approach to the season where September and early October is getting shit back together? or you just not thinking and sorting it out as you go?
Yes, similar approach as last year. But I am definitely stronger coming into this season. Once Cooper comes, I'm racing 6 straight weekends. After that stretch, I'll see where I am. No pressure, no problems. 🙂
And yes, it seems like a lifetime ago, but I did pull a 2nd place in the 3 / 4 at Kutztown with a pretty decent field.
I am ridiculously busy at work, so I need to bang this out quick.
As promised, the first of 6 weekly race recaps. This weekend I made the trek to Cherry Hill to race cooper river. I’ve done this race a few times and I’ve usually faired well enough so I don’t mind the 90 minute drive each way. The course itself is turn-y with few sections to really open it up. There are not many sections that could be considered technical, although there was a “sand Pit” which was about 10 feet long and had a smooth line in it by the time I raced it. All in all, it’s mostly turns…If you’re an above average turner with some legs capable of repeated microbursts, you’ll do well here.
I arrived way too early. I’m still in early season mode and ironing my routine out. I feel like I’ve been doing this long enough that I shouldn’t have to think about it, but for some reason I still find the packing up and leaving by a certain time to be a little stressful.
I rolled up and had about 20 minutes till the next race started, so I rushed on my cleats and helmet and jumped on the course still wearing t-shirt and shorts. I find it one of life’s great mysteries how I can feel so good and dialed in on Thursday night doing drills, but when I hop on my bike Saturday morning I feel like my bike is a stranger. Like its set up for regular and I’m trying to ride it goofy. Does that make sense?
Still warming up and seeing the loop is pretty much the same as previous years, I carry a little too much speed into a turn, get crossed up, and have a classic slow motion wipe out. It felt like @pearl took a video, made a gif out of it. But in real life. That one made sense, right? Luckily, nobody sees me so I brush myself off, remount like a boss, and go before I have time to think about what just happened. A few minutes later my rear D is skipping going into the biggest in the back so I pull over, unbend it and seems to be OK. All in all, I’ll consider myself lucky.
I get my number, pin it on using my steering wheel like a pro (that other thread is really paying dividends), and then proceed to wonder aimlessly. Still too early to warm up, I decide to hit the porta potty. I’d been having some stomach issues all week and figured this would be the most productive way to kill some time.
Not sure who bill is, but that’s good to know. I guess?
Begin to warm up on the road in front of the course. Do a couple of efforts and get the heart pumping a little. I’ve had good workouts leading up to this race and am feeling a little more confident in my fitness. At Town hall, I was just going through the motions with some efforts thrown in here and there while trying to not come in last. For this race, the plan was to stay near the front as long as possible and if my fitness lets me down then so be it.
As I am going through this game plan I decide to do some openers. Practice clipping in and accelerating for 5-7 seconds, gradually ramping up the efforts. On the second or third one, I slip out of my right pedal, my shin hits something (my front tire?) and my calf is whacked by my chaining, and l and almost go OTB.
Like a Boss. Except not really.
Pretty sure people saw this one, or heard me, but I recovered so quick they probably didn’t process what I did. I pedal away like nothing happened and find a quiet spot to check for any damage. The pain isn’t that bad, but my upper ankle/calf is stiffening up and I see a little blood through my sock. I can’t help but think this may not be my day, but I try to forget it happened and go line up.
This was when I got home. Scrape on my shin from rubbing my front tire, and some usually chainring minor stab wounds. Nothing bad, but it could have been a lot worse had I gone OTB. Both to my ego and face.
Finally.. the race.
I get a second row call up, and line up on the outside. Off we go and I hold my own just fine…going into the second turn I was 6th or so?
The pace feels pretty hot, and everyone is trying to pass where they can. Some people are getting pissed, but this is the game….you really need to guard the inside lines. In a MTB race, I’m going to always let the guy go by. It’s a long race and if I’m faster, I’ll pass. But in cross, someone can get in front of you and wipe out, or lose a break and next thing you know the leaders are 20 bike lengths away.
I’m holding on to 10th in the first lap and then I work my way to ~sixth in the second. I feel pretty good especially when the traffic eases up and I can take the turns like I want, instead of guarding. There’s 2 or 3 guys gapping a little, but I’m holding my own in the second group.
Going into the 3rd lap I am sitting pretty in 5th or 6th and then I get some discomfort from the mid section . Ugh. I’m not going to shit myself, but I feel a stomach cramp. I’ve had this before and there isn’t much I found I can do with these. Either stay on the gas and have it probably stay with you the whole time, or ease up, try to recover and hope it passes. I looked behind and the group I was in had a huge gap over the next racers so I ease up and dangle off the back of this group.
Not wanting to lose too much, I rail the sections that I feel like I have an advantage on. So in the back side, I attack the choppy rooty turns, bunny hop the holes in the ground and try to do what I can to keep up without putting out too much power. When I get to the stairs, I make the right o go up but my back end washes out. I’m running my fast tires and probably would have been better off with my PDX wheels set. My back was getting loose all race but this was much worse. I take a look and its definitely low. No, wait, its totally flat.
I ride with the flat where I can and shoulder where I can’t. It’s not that far to the pit but I still lose 5 spots by the time I get there. I get to my backup wheel set and of course I struggle putting it on. If I just take my time, it would be no thing, but I rush and skewer gets all f’d up in a weird spot… you can’t make this shit up. I feel like I am in the pit for 5 minutes changing a freakin flat. By the time I get it on, I am relieved that I remembered to put the right amount of PSI in, and it was shifting fine. So I got that going for me.
The next two laps are spent picking people off where I can. I just zoom right past them without a fight immediately looking for the next guy. My cramp is gone after the pit stop and my legs got a little rest so they are feeling good.
In the end I salvaged 19th. Had I done everything perfect, I may have pulled in 14 or 15th with the flat. I hadn't had a flat in a long time and these tires were looking pretty beat up so I guess I was due. It was still a great workout and I got some valuable experience. Hopefully my stomach issues work themselves out and this cold I've been fighting goes away by Marty's.
As promised, the first of 6 weekly race recaps. This weekend I made the trek to Cherry Hill to race cooper river. I’ve done this race a few times and I’ve usually faired well enough so I don’t mind the 90 minute drive each way. The course itself is turn-y with few sections to really open it up. There are not many sections that could be considered technical, although there was a “sand Pit” which was about 10 feet long and had a smooth line in it by the time I raced it. All in all, it’s mostly turns…If you’re an above average turner with some legs capable of repeated microbursts, you’ll do well here.
I arrived way too early. I’m still in early season mode and ironing my routine out. I feel like I’ve been doing this long enough that I shouldn’t have to think about it, but for some reason I still find the packing up and leaving by a certain time to be a little stressful.
I rolled up and had about 20 minutes till the next race started, so I rushed on my cleats and helmet and jumped on the course still wearing t-shirt and shorts. I find it one of life’s great mysteries how I can feel so good and dialed in on Thursday night doing drills, but when I hop on my bike Saturday morning I feel like my bike is a stranger. Like its set up for regular and I’m trying to ride it goofy. Does that make sense?
Still warming up and seeing the loop is pretty much the same as previous years, I carry a little too much speed into a turn, get crossed up, and have a classic slow motion wipe out. It felt like @pearl took a video, made a gif out of it. But in real life. That one made sense, right? Luckily, nobody sees me so I brush myself off, remount like a boss, and go before I have time to think about what just happened. A few minutes later my rear D is skipping going into the biggest in the back so I pull over, unbend it and seems to be OK. All in all, I’ll consider myself lucky.
I get my number, pin it on using my steering wheel like a pro (that other thread is really paying dividends), and then proceed to wonder aimlessly. Still too early to warm up, I decide to hit the porta potty. I’d been having some stomach issues all week and figured this would be the most productive way to kill some time.
Not sure who bill is, but that’s good to know. I guess?
Begin to warm up on the road in front of the course. Do a couple of efforts and get the heart pumping a little. I’ve had good workouts leading up to this race and am feeling a little more confident in my fitness. At Town hall, I was just going through the motions with some efforts thrown in here and there while trying to not come in last. For this race, the plan was to stay near the front as long as possible and if my fitness lets me down then so be it.
As I am going through this game plan I decide to do some openers. Practice clipping in and accelerating for 5-7 seconds, gradually ramping up the efforts. On the second or third one, I slip out of my right pedal, my shin hits something (my front tire?) and my calf is whacked by my chaining, and l and almost go OTB.
Like a Boss. Except not really.
Pretty sure people saw this one, or heard me, but I recovered so quick they probably didn’t process what I did. I pedal away like nothing happened and find a quiet spot to check for any damage. The pain isn’t that bad, but my upper ankle/calf is stiffening up and I see a little blood through my sock. I can’t help but think this may not be my day, but I try to forget it happened and go line up.
This was when I got home. Scrape on my shin from rubbing my front tire, and some usually chainring minor stab wounds. Nothing bad, but it could have been a lot worse had I gone OTB. Both to my ego and face.
Finally.. the race.
I get a second row call up, and line up on the outside. Off we go and I hold my own just fine…going into the second turn I was 6th or so?
The pace feels pretty hot, and everyone is trying to pass where they can. Some people are getting pissed, but this is the game….you really need to guard the inside lines. In a MTB race, I’m going to always let the guy go by. It’s a long race and if I’m faster, I’ll pass. But in cross, someone can get in front of you and wipe out, or lose a break and next thing you know the leaders are 20 bike lengths away.
I’m holding on to 10th in the first lap and then I work my way to ~sixth in the second. I feel pretty good especially when the traffic eases up and I can take the turns like I want, instead of guarding. There’s 2 or 3 guys gapping a little, but I’m holding my own in the second group.
Going into the 3rd lap I am sitting pretty in 5th or 6th and then I get some discomfort from the mid section . Ugh. I’m not going to shit myself, but I feel a stomach cramp. I’ve had this before and there isn’t much I found I can do with these. Either stay on the gas and have it probably stay with you the whole time, or ease up, try to recover and hope it passes. I looked behind and the group I was in had a huge gap over the next racers so I ease up and dangle off the back of this group.
Not wanting to lose too much, I rail the sections that I feel like I have an advantage on. So in the back side, I attack the choppy rooty turns, bunny hop the holes in the ground and try to do what I can to keep up without putting out too much power. When I get to the stairs, I make the right o go up but my back end washes out. I’m running my fast tires and probably would have been better off with my PDX wheels set. My back was getting loose all race but this was much worse. I take a look and its definitely low. No, wait, its totally flat.
I ride with the flat where I can and shoulder where I can’t. It’s not that far to the pit but I still lose 5 spots by the time I get there. I get to my backup wheel set and of course I struggle putting it on. If I just take my time, it would be no thing, but I rush and skewer gets all f’d up in a weird spot… you can’t make this shit up. I feel like I am in the pit for 5 minutes changing a freakin flat. By the time I get it on, I am relieved that I remembered to put the right amount of PSI in, and it was shifting fine. So I got that going for me.
The next two laps are spent picking people off where I can. I just zoom right past them without a fight immediately looking for the next guy. My cramp is gone after the pit stop and my legs got a little rest so they are feeling good.
In the end I salvaged 19th. Had I done everything perfect, I may have pulled in 14 or 15th with the flat. I hadn't had a flat in a long time and these tires were looking pretty beat up so I guess I was due. It was still a great workout and I got some valuable experience. Hopefully my stomach issues work themselves out and this cold I've been fighting goes away by Marty's.
Mountain Bike Mike
Well-Known Member
Yep - I seen't it.... This year, I had three races where everything felt great. The others felt just like you said.. I don't get it...
I think I will. I have a back up wheelset, so I feel like i should use them, but the rigid MTB may be the way to go.
After a brief interruption, I was back in action.
HPCX is one of the bigger events because UCI. Of course it wouldn’t be a race weekend unless there was some stress inducing family events. The morning of the race I got woken up at 4AM to deal with some drama. Luckily it wasn’t anything serious and even luckier for me, I was able to get back to sleep. Sleep had been hard to come by for whatever reasons last week and I was really in need of a good nights worth.
I don’t like to make excuses…everybody who has kids or any kind of life outside of racing deals with shit. It can get frustrating when you put in time to train, diet, make sure your equipment is good to go, etc, and then have some random shit storm come and turn everything upside down. But this is life and there are way too many variables to account and prepare for so when shit does go down, you can’t dwell on it or let it get in your head. Just keep doing what you do and think positive vibes. It sounds like bullshit, I know…but if it weren’t for the struggles, you wouldn’t have as much appreciation for the times when things do actually work out and come together. Rant over.
I showed up to the venue at 10:30 and was racing the masters 35+ race at 12. I’d like to have gotten there a little earlier, but shit happens. Like needing to stop at Black River Roasters for a growler of cold brew. Thanks @The Heckler for showing me this light. This stuff is like rocket fuel.
Because I got there a little later than I’d like, I rushed to throw on the skit suit and shoes, then jumped on the course because I had a few minutes till the next race. The course on Saturday didn’t have the sand pit and didn’t have the section on the other side of the parking lot. It’s still a cool course with some flow, tech, off camber, 2 climbs, and no wide open sections.
I’ll skip over the MTBNJ picnic stuff because there is another thread for that. Although it was awesome to have so many people there hanging out cheering and heckling.
Lined up and was in the last row. Given my results this year I was expecting this. I’m actually at the point where I don’t care where I line up because I’m not winning any races…Especially in this group. As we go off I am surprised by the lack of pain. These Masters races definitely do start off much more civilized than the B’s, I think @Delish pointed this out in his Nittany recap.
As we make our way up the road hill to the first turn, I move up to the front half of the pack. The caffeine was flowing and my legs were there so I pushed and made some progress. The first few turns are a shits how as far as traffic is concerned, but everyone remained civilized. I wasn’t aggressive enough and probably lost a few spots because of this. I am still learning how to attack a busy turn and not lose spots. Inside, middle, outside…it doesn’t matter. Its like picking a line at the grocery store. I pick wrong and end up waiting.
A couple bad decisions had me pressing in the sections where I could open it up, and this made me burn a few matches on the first lap. But I did make some passes and recover without giving them up. I found a rhythm going into the second lap and all of a sudden things are working in my favor. The lead group is up a bit but I am right there in the second pack. I made my way through the trees and ride the steps…..no problems. Then, after the steps on the sweeping right my back end washes out.
I knew what was wrong. I didn’t have to look, I knew. I didn’t hit anything hard, I was smooth and clean. A quick look down confirmed my fears though, another flat in the back. This tire lasted a grand total of 1 race lap.
I had a long way to go to the pit, so most of my race rode away. I tried to maintain at first but anything off camber or resembling a turn made the bike tough to keep straight. You can see my flat and look of defeat in this picture: (thanks magic for the pic)
My pit bike is my hard tail with flat bars and cross wheels. Jumping on this and pushing race pace out the gate was incredibly awkward. My seat was too far forward, stem was too short, bars were way too wide, bottom bracket is way too low.
And let me tell you, nothing motivates a 55+ masters racer like a guy in a kit with sprinkles, and who happens to be riding a franken cross bike with flat bars. Not 1 pass was easy. Each one was met with a look of “oh fuck that” resistance and determination. Seriously, these guys were not having it. I found some battles and won a few and also lost a few. It was still fun racing, but I was at a definite disadvantage on this bike.
And while I am here, I can now say that a MTB with skinny tires is not as good as a cross bike on a cross course. The fork and overall geometry was slack so the steering sucked, and the bottom bracket so low that every turn caused a pedal strike. Maybe a cross bike with the bars swapped for flat bars if you had too… but really… what’s the point? I actually think a spare wheelset in the pit is a better move especially when the flat happens so early in the race.
As for the race, I finished near the back but I’m not even mad. Actually, that’s a lie. I was pissed. But next week is another race and then there’s another one after that. Plenty of chances to get a good result.
I actually got lucky… last night I went for a ride and 5 minutes into it, my foot got stuck in the cleat. This could have been really nasty had it happen right before the last barrier on Saturday:
HPCX is one of the bigger events because UCI. Of course it wouldn’t be a race weekend unless there was some stress inducing family events. The morning of the race I got woken up at 4AM to deal with some drama. Luckily it wasn’t anything serious and even luckier for me, I was able to get back to sleep. Sleep had been hard to come by for whatever reasons last week and I was really in need of a good nights worth.
I don’t like to make excuses…everybody who has kids or any kind of life outside of racing deals with shit. It can get frustrating when you put in time to train, diet, make sure your equipment is good to go, etc, and then have some random shit storm come and turn everything upside down. But this is life and there are way too many variables to account and prepare for so when shit does go down, you can’t dwell on it or let it get in your head. Just keep doing what you do and think positive vibes. It sounds like bullshit, I know…but if it weren’t for the struggles, you wouldn’t have as much appreciation for the times when things do actually work out and come together. Rant over.
I showed up to the venue at 10:30 and was racing the masters 35+ race at 12. I’d like to have gotten there a little earlier, but shit happens. Like needing to stop at Black River Roasters for a growler of cold brew. Thanks @The Heckler for showing me this light. This stuff is like rocket fuel.
Because I got there a little later than I’d like, I rushed to throw on the skit suit and shoes, then jumped on the course because I had a few minutes till the next race. The course on Saturday didn’t have the sand pit and didn’t have the section on the other side of the parking lot. It’s still a cool course with some flow, tech, off camber, 2 climbs, and no wide open sections.
I’ll skip over the MTBNJ picnic stuff because there is another thread for that. Although it was awesome to have so many people there hanging out cheering and heckling.
Lined up and was in the last row. Given my results this year I was expecting this. I’m actually at the point where I don’t care where I line up because I’m not winning any races…Especially in this group. As we go off I am surprised by the lack of pain. These Masters races definitely do start off much more civilized than the B’s, I think @Delish pointed this out in his Nittany recap.
As we make our way up the road hill to the first turn, I move up to the front half of the pack. The caffeine was flowing and my legs were there so I pushed and made some progress. The first few turns are a shits how as far as traffic is concerned, but everyone remained civilized. I wasn’t aggressive enough and probably lost a few spots because of this. I am still learning how to attack a busy turn and not lose spots. Inside, middle, outside…it doesn’t matter. Its like picking a line at the grocery store. I pick wrong and end up waiting.
A couple bad decisions had me pressing in the sections where I could open it up, and this made me burn a few matches on the first lap. But I did make some passes and recover without giving them up. I found a rhythm going into the second lap and all of a sudden things are working in my favor. The lead group is up a bit but I am right there in the second pack. I made my way through the trees and ride the steps…..no problems. Then, after the steps on the sweeping right my back end washes out.
I knew what was wrong. I didn’t have to look, I knew. I didn’t hit anything hard, I was smooth and clean. A quick look down confirmed my fears though, another flat in the back. This tire lasted a grand total of 1 race lap.
I had a long way to go to the pit, so most of my race rode away. I tried to maintain at first but anything off camber or resembling a turn made the bike tough to keep straight. You can see my flat and look of defeat in this picture: (thanks magic for the pic)
My pit bike is my hard tail with flat bars and cross wheels. Jumping on this and pushing race pace out the gate was incredibly awkward. My seat was too far forward, stem was too short, bars were way too wide, bottom bracket is way too low.
And let me tell you, nothing motivates a 55+ masters racer like a guy in a kit with sprinkles, and who happens to be riding a franken cross bike with flat bars. Not 1 pass was easy. Each one was met with a look of “oh fuck that” resistance and determination. Seriously, these guys were not having it. I found some battles and won a few and also lost a few. It was still fun racing, but I was at a definite disadvantage on this bike.
And while I am here, I can now say that a MTB with skinny tires is not as good as a cross bike on a cross course. The fork and overall geometry was slack so the steering sucked, and the bottom bracket so low that every turn caused a pedal strike. Maybe a cross bike with the bars swapped for flat bars if you had too… but really… what’s the point? I actually think a spare wheelset in the pit is a better move especially when the flat happens so early in the race.
As for the race, I finished near the back but I’m not even mad. Actually, that’s a lie. I was pissed. But next week is another race and then there’s another one after that. Plenty of chances to get a good result.
I actually got lucky… last night I went for a ride and 5 minutes into it, my foot got stuck in the cleat. This could have been really nasty had it happen right before the last barrier on Saturday:
LOLzzz I could totally see that happening. I think most of us would have a similar reaction.
The Heckler
You bring new meaning to the term SUCK
COLD BREW IS LIGHTNING JUICE!
Big bummer about flat, another race next weekend is the best way to cope with rough races, stoked to hear the positive vibes!
I really appreciate how much 'eff that' you got from the 55+ guys.
Big bummer about flat, another race next weekend is the best way to cope with rough races, stoked to hear the positive vibes!
I really appreciate how much 'eff that' you got from the 55+ guys.
Pearl
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
mandi always tries to pick the best line, im at the point that IDGAF and just pick the closest one and read the gossip magazines. thats when im allowed to go grocery shopping anyway.
bummer about the flat though. at least having a bike allowed you to go out and still ride/race. swapping a rear wheel is hell. i think based on the time you may have gained on the course on the cx bike with new wheel, you would have lost fiddling putting that rear wheel back on.
I need a pit crew so I can ride the MTB for 1 lap while my crew puts a new wheel on.
You want to come to bubble to do that for me? You don't have shit to do!
Magic
Formerly 1sh0t1b33r
I can help out that Sat. I'm racing a double so I should be around. What time do you go out?
Pearl
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
what happened to teamies pitting for teamies?
Sucks man...reminded me when I was in 4th one year at that race only to have my tubie shit the bed.
Rest of us were too busy trying to get onto the podcast/eating 12 feet of sandwich.
Flatbars are a cross bike are useless. IMO, Bring your scalpel as your back up.
Ken was his pit crew....we see how well that worked out.
Rest of us were too busy trying to get onto the podcast/eating 12 feet of sandwich.
Flatbars are a cross bike are useless. IMO, Bring your scalpel as your back up.
Ken did his job... I mean, he put the bike where he said he would. That was the extent of it.
Dominos
Well-Known Member
The NJ series had the Elite women starting a minute back from the 55+ field last year... those guys were such jerks while passing. It was so frustrating!