Last Pisgah TNT

Last night was the final TNT at Pisgah. It was a great night, 60 degrees, dry, and a good turn out. I was able to get a quick warm up in and then went straight to the line. My first lap was pretty good, I cleaned a few sections I missed the other week and found a good line down rock garden. My second lap started real good, I rode the first two rock spines as fast and smooth as I ever have; but shortly after that I got tripped up and it took a little while to get my rhythm back. On top of that I got held up a little as I was passing some other riders. Enough bitchen, it was a nice night and some fun riding so here are the results:

Name 1st lap 2nd lap Total
Adam 19:05 20:22 39:27
John 19:54 20:28 40:22
Rick 20:15 20:26 40:41
Charlie 20:38 21:33 42:11
Bryan 22:08 22:58 45:06
Scott 22:22 23:18 45:40
Laura 23:34 23:52 47:26
Mary 24:25 23:05 47:30
Nate 23:30 24:38 48:08
Russ 24:10 25:41 49:51
Mike T 23:55 28:41 52:36
Mike L 25:51 28:25 53:16
Chris J 26:35 28:10 54:45
Liana 27:41 28:36 56:17
Paul S 33:03 34:12 1:07:15
Pat 22:28 flat DNF

TNT

Last night was the first Tuesday Night Time-trial, well second; but the week before I chickend out because it was pouring.

It was good to get one race under my belt before the first EFTA series race. The time-trail course was pretty short, just a 3 mile loop, twice. John updated it from last year; it was actually a little shorter but we did two laps vs just one. We start mid-way up Pisgah, take a fast flowy down hill that has some good short climbs thrown in. Then from the bottom its a good climb back to the top, then we take a false-flat fire road over to the bone-yard. This section is new, and I never really ride it because it's a mess. After the climbs it's pretty jarring.

I guess I had a slight advantage as its pretty much in my backyard and I ride 95% of the course about once a week. In addition the hills here suite me well; anyway here are the results.

Name Lap 1 Lap 2 Total
Adam 19:41 20:16 39:57
John 20:28 21:26 41:54
Rick 21:37 21:31 43:08
Charlie 22:14 22:51 45:05
Pat 22:21 22:54 45:15
Laura 23:17 24:00 47:17
Scott 22:45 26:45 49:30 Flat on second lap, completed by foot
Mike T 25:28 26:22 51:50
Nate 26:30 28:08 54:38
Mike L 26:47 28:13 55:00
Liana 29:41 30:39 1:00:20 Rode two separate laps
Bryan 22:40 DNF DNF Flat on second


Next week is Pisgah again, then it's on to another course...

Wachusett Ride

On Saturday Kevin, my dad and I rode from my dad's house in Northboro out to Wachusett, up to the top and then back to Northboro for a tough and very hill 55 mile ride. Check out the map my ride below...

Rip it

Wow, 60 degrees this morning when rode in at 6:30am, it’s the kind of weather that makes you happy just to be on your bike. Another thing that makes me happy, riding past the gas stations when regular is at $3.55. I haven’t filled up since April 13th and I still have more than a quarter tank; I am thinking I will be able to go every other week before I have to fill ‘er up.

So occasionally when I pack my bag the night before I ride in I will forget something, usually it’s a belt. Today I forgot socks, so I am rockin my EFTA socks with the frog saying RIPPP IT on ‘em. Ha, they defiantly go with the dress shoes. Yeah, I am pretty much a fashion icon.

I also noticed a trend when riding in, of all the vehicles that buzz me; 90% of the time they are pick-up trucks with big American flag stickers or even the occasional confederate flag. If there is one thing red-necks hate while driving its skinny white dudes in spandex blocking their “road”. I am thinking if I put a big American flag patch on my bag it might persuade them to give me a little more room…

First Mountain Bike Ride

I finally got out for my first mountain bike ride of the season this weekend. I did 15 miles at Pisgah on Saturday and 10 at Harold Parker on Sunday. I was surprised to find that my technical skills were pretty solid, usually the first ride of the season can be kinda shaky. I was psyched to clean a few lines that can trip me up even in the middle of the season. I also felt pretty good on the climbs, now I just have to build on the speed, first Tuesday-night time trial is next week.

Valley Rally

The Telegram & Gazette ran an article on the upcoming Treasure Valley Rally that I spent some time this winter helping Russ lay out.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20080413/COLUMN31/47359254/-1/SPORTS_COLUMNS

This is gonna be a fun race, I think we have a really good course.

Ride to work

Wow, it's been a long winter, but I finally got my first ride into work for 2008 (April 8th). It was a cold start at just 31 degrees out, but I got a pair of winter tights so I was pretty comfortable. Just the fingers and toes were a little cold. This time of year it's tough to ride to work, I get on the road around 6:30 when it's in the 30's and when I come home it's typically closer to 50ish; layers are key.

For this early in the season I guess my time was respectable at 25:30. I think last year during my peak I was making into work in the low 20's; so I need to shave a few minutes off this time.

Update:
I checked up on my times from last year. My first ride into work took 30 minutes so my time of 25 minutes was actually pretty good. Also I got started a few days earlier; last years first ride was April 20.