Time to register for some races!!

Other than the Vision Quest, which sold out in October I have not registered for a single race for the 08 season. Well, I will start today! Last year I told you if you only do one race, do the Dirt Sweat and Gears 12 hour, well I'm getting signed up today. It is by far the best event I have ever done, you should register for the party before it's too late. 

Here is a little video from last year, if you look closely I'm in there a couple times.

In addition to the 12 hour they are also putting on Singlespeed U.S.A. the same weekend.

So I guess I am signing up for 2 races today.

I'll let you know what else I'm doing once I figure it out. 

How many times have I said this...

It's been a while since my last post.

this years training started good but then I keep getting sick and super busy! So now I have finally had a few good weeks of training and am slowly coming back to form. I just wish I could have been strong enough to ride in SSAZ this year, sorry Dejay. I'll be back next year.

My last post I was training in the heavy rain of Humboldt county and loving it, now I have been in Southern California for a month and am loving it even more! The rain might make you tough, but so does riding a lot more and with some really fast people. These guys and girl are making me work.

Here is a video of my last big ride in Humboldt.

The boxes are starting to show up... it's like Christmas all over again.

More on that soon.

Is it winter where you live...?

Winter is here in Arcata, and the training has begun. The miles are starting to add up and and so are the layers of clothing. The first few rides this week weren't too bad, actually really nice for Arcata. Today was the first test!
The morning was fairly calm, a few sprinkles and a breeze. But we all know I’m not a morning person anymore, or was I ever for that matter. So right after the noon siren sounded in downtown Arcata the rain started to fall, and I was on my bike within ten minutes soaked through before I hit the end of my street.

The stats for the day:
3.5 hours
5500’ of climbing
1.5” to 2” of rain
30 - 50mph winds
a warm 55 degrees
And a big ass puddles of water on the floor where I left my bike, changed my clothes and left my shoes.

Not a good day for pictures, but I’ll get some soon. The winter is great around here!!!

The 2007 season is over.

The end of the season has finally come, now I have time to do some big rides again!!! I am really looking forward to the winter epic rides in Humboldt county.

2007 had it highs and lows for sure, everything from winning some big races to the crash that left me with a broken collar bone. The start of the year was amazing with one fairly easy win at SSAZ, this was one of the best mountain bike courses that I have ever ridden. Everything from long hard climbs to the steepest and most technical riding I have ever done. After SSAZ was the 24 in the Old Pueblo, doing some hot laps with a few friends. And then there was the Vision Quest for win # 2, If you haven’t done this one yet be ready to sign up for 2009 as 2008 is already full!

Then the problems started some lower back pain, and a few weeks off before Sea Otter. I had an OK Sea Otter race in the fact that I could hardly walk the day before.

After the Otter is when the real adventure began, Mr singlespeed(he just hasn’t figured out how to shift yet), Dejay Birtch and I headed to TN do couple races that were more my style….LONG. Cohutta 100 and the Dirt, Sweat and Gears 12 hour. Before we left I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to ride with my back, and I ended up winning both races. Go figure.

Now to make a long story a little shorter, Broken collar bone….2 months off the bike...Had a baby(Kristina actually)...one more month off...12 hours of Humboldt and bigfoot classic XC both 1st place singlespeed…one month of burned out riding…. CA state finals 2nd place Pro Singlespeed… now Trail Work…. Riding starts Tomorrow!!!

So thanks to all that helped me out this year, I couldn’t have done it with out you! Team ShoAir (Scott Tedro), Revolution Bicycle and Repair (Justin Brown and the gang), DT Swiss (Paul), Ergon, Cytomax, Oakley. You all Rock!!!


!#$%^^%$#%^&^ Official Release %&^%$#$%^&^%$#@

There will be two races that I will be putting on next year, Both semi pirate, I may ask for a small donation and will provide beer.

The first one will be toward the end of March, the second will be September or October.

I have the course designed but it will be a secret for a while!!! Stay tuned for more info.

Back on the saddle sore again.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been three months since I have ridden on the dirt or for that matter the singlespeed. Normally I am one to ease into things, but not this time. I had been riding not too regularly since the crash, letting all parts of my body heal and spending time with Kristina, Ian and all the family that has been visiting. I had five days of “slowing” with no family and friends; and a chance to get a couple of 3.5 hour rides. So I think my biggest week has been about 8-10 hours. So to completely shock my legs I thought I would do the 12 hours of Humboldt, 8 miles per lap with about 1400’ of climbing…on the singlespeed.


As it turned out my legs felt pretty good they had the strength to climb the steep hills with a 32x22 gear ratio, which was about perfect, I was only spun out on about 400 yards of the whole course. I knew I had an advantage over some the other singlespeeders on the first climb when I heard what gear they were riding, so I changed my plan and backed off and rode at a comfortable pace for a few laps. I knew their legs would be under a lot of stress and they would most likely “pop” or be walking a lot. However my upper body was not feeling as good as my legs and started cramping on lap four. The plan worked though, after lap six I was increasing my lead by about 8 minutes a lap and by the time I finished lap 10 I had lapped second place. After it was all said and done I completed 11 laps in less than 10 hours, and put almost 2 laps on second place. I have to say I was pretty shocked how well my legs felt.

I can’t wait to get back in shape!!! And get rid of these saddle sores…

Ok, Ok here are a few more pictures!