Update- MNSCS #2 and Road Stuff

For starters, this blogging thing is kinda the last thing on my list of things-to-do. Just like everyone else, FB and Twitter (@mlwiken) have pretty much taken over and are hella easier to use.

MNSCS #2
There is a reason for this late race recap. I'll get to that in a sec.
I was really looking forward to this race since I like the climbs and prefer them to the flatter courses. Once at the line, not liking this 35+ Comp class, I decided that I would first focus on catching and passing as many young bucks as I could. That went quite well so I knew I was riding strong. Except when the f.der. wouldn't drop to the granny >:-( I stopped fixed the der and continued on still feeling pretty good. Then with one lap to go I decide that I would attack on the Man Handler to pull back as many positions as I could and then bring it on home. Well, the MTB Gods had different plans for me. I flatted heading over Porters Pile. I changed it in record time, for me, and only lost 8 or so places. Then just before the base of the Man Handler, Pffsssssssss. Damn, flat number 2 and I ain't got no more tubes. DAMN IT!

I'll just have to wait to get my revenge at Mt. Kato.

In the meantime I'm planning on hitting up the State Fair crit tomorrow 3/4, Stillwater on Sunday, then focus on Mt. Kato.

I need to get one of these...

I think I might know of someone who makes furniture like this.

MNSCS #1

Racing the mtb this Sunday in the MNSCS Spring Cup. Looking forward to racing in the dirt with a team that has some real potential. I was really concerned about not being ready for this race with this damn cold, surprise, but seeing how my teammates are riding, I'm not really that concerned about myself. How big of me I know. But seriously, the Grizz is looking like he did 10 years ago. If you raced against him then, then you know you're in trouble. One of the best single track riders I've seen. Then there's Dan, this cat starts out nice and easy, then ramps it up and starts chasing everyone down. You can always count on him to grind up riders. Chris, well I don't know much about this guy since I've been racing road for a few years, but I do know he's fast. Smoked me at the Leb TT a few years back, he's a hammer. Tybo, well if he upgrades to Comp it's all over. Neil and Scott seem to have put a ton of miles in already this year. Neil did this 100 miles to nowhere thing (crazy) and some other 100 mtb race. Scott, don't think I forgot about how you almost passed me at our little BCR Paper Plate Shout Out. Damn! And finally, I think, we have Andy M. coming back to the BCR fold. He always finished well up in the results.

So you see. That's why I'm not to concerned with how I do. It's going to be a great show either way.

Now lets go get some point shall we?

BCR Paper Plate Shoot Out race location and other details

Please follow this link to find out where the race will be held:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhdhdsx2_140f7h4kcfc

BCR Paper Plate Shoot Out Invitational

It's more like an organized mtb ride with a race feel

Deets go here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cGJDQUUza3owYWh0TWxyLVZ3NnA4SWc6MA

Another group ride

Rode with the GP group this morning. Put in a some good efforts but realized that I still have some work to do. Not sure that Durand will be in the cards, just not ready yet. Besides, It looks like I might only be doing maybe 3 races on the road bike this season. Not sure it's worth it to fork over $60 for my license. Only time will tell...

Prescott Ride

What an awesome ride today. I was jazzed, yes jazzed to get out on a group ride today. The route was nice and hilly.

Thanks everyone for showing up even though it was a little chilly. Does anyone remember who got the state sign at the end of the ride?

0.0007366 kilometer

I've been hoping to get a new mtb for this season. If all goes well I'll need to decide on what to get. But being a traditionalist it won't be an easy decision. It appears that the 29 inch craze is here to stay. I'll admit that I'm skeptical. It's not like this is the first time that a larger wheel sized mtb has been introduced to the industry. I'm sure some of you recall the Override series, I'm sure there were others, from Diamondback that Dave Weins and crew were rockin back in the early to mid 90's. They eventually failed because they didn't hold up and DB pulled the plug on them. Sure they were 700c wheels and wheel technology has come a long way since then. But maybe, just maybe the technology isn't the only thing that has changed. I recently read Doug Swanson's post regarding how mountain bike courses have changed. Maybe that's why these 29'ers work. I keep thinking back to the strength of the 26 inch and the fact that the smaller wheel is physically easier to get up to speed. But then there is something to say about a larger wheel being easier to maintain momentum of choppy stuff.

I'm interested to hear from anyone who has a 29'er out there. Are they happy they switched? Is it better suited for today's race course? Is there a brand that is considered an expert in the 29 inch world?