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March 9, 2005
"The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena,
but the small clearing of each heart." Yann Martel in the novel Life of Pi
Ben Hawn of New Iberia announced that he indeed will be the key contact
for ranking Louisiana's duathletes and triathletes for the year. Basically,
multisporters need to race at least three triathlons, and/or three
duathlons to be considered for rankings. Most importantly, those ranked must be
Louisiana residents and only Louisiana events are factored into ranking
decisions. There are slight adjustments made as circumstances dictate. Be
on the look out as Hawn and I further clarify what it takes to get ranked in
the annual printed edition of the Louisiana Multisport Report.
The Miles for Smiles and Baton Rouge Bicycle Club spring centuries registrations are now on
active.com.
"The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena,
but the small clearing of each heart." Yann Martel in the novel Life of Pi
Ben Hawn of New Iberia announced that he indeed will be the key contact
for ranking Louisiana's duathletes and triathletes for the year. Basically,
multisporters need to race at least three triathlons, and/or three
duathlons to be considered for rankings. Most importantly, those ranked must be
Louisiana residents and only Louisiana events are factored into ranking
decisions. There are slight adjustments made as circumstances dictate. Be
on the look out as Hawn and I further clarify what it takes to get ranked in
the annual printed edition of the Louisiana Multisport Report.
The Miles for Smiles and Baton Rouge Bicycle Club spring centuries registrations are now on
active.com.
Plans are set for the DuDonnieDu run-bike-run race this weekend in Mandeville.
For more information, contact The Spokesman bike shop in Mandeville.
Get a PelicanMan Duathlon application at
http://www.geocities.com/busterm2/pelman405.html
For those that are interested, here is the age group breakdown of upcoming
North America Ironman Triathlon (full and half) events.
http://www.vr6.com/outings/tri/AgeGroups.htm.
The Baton Rouge area weekday training races started on River Road today, Tuesday. There was a handful of
folks energetic and obviously ready to get the-season training rides underway guys
March 19th is set for the Lafayette edition of the Race for the Cure 5km. Traditionally, this event has age group
competition in 10-year increments.
Shreveport Cycling Time Trial Set for Sunday
From Alan Moore
The long-range forecast for March 13th in Shreveport: 10 percent chance of rain, high of 74 degrees, partly sunny.
There will be three-minute gaps between the women/juniors, masters, and category riders. Riders start in order of registration. Participants will have ample time to get to the start area -- registration closes at 1:30 p.m. and first rider off at 2 p.m. -- it'll be up to you to take advantage of it.
Category 1-2s and Cat. 3s will be combined for Louisiana Cycling Cup Series points but will be separated for the prize list. We'll post both lists at the conclusion of the event. The race flyer can be found at: www.teamlasport.org/TT/crossroads.htm
Course records (10-mile):
Cat. 1-2-3: Troy Porter, Herring Gas, 22:03
Cat. 4: Tim Perry, Twin City Cyclists, 23:00
Cat. 5: Chuck Engle, Team Icy, 23:25
Women: Shannon Koch, Team LaS'port, 26:06
Masters 35+: Eddie Corcoran, NBO/Peake, 22:35
Masters 45+: Bert Durrett, Team LaS'port & Terry Kincaid, Twin City Cyclists, both 24:47
Swim Clinic Set for March 19th
From Shelly Ripple, <sripple@...>
There will be a couple of swim clinics hled in conjunction with the
Abitaman and Girl Power events on Saturday March 19th at the University of New
Orleans. We are doing it for all the triathletes that are racing the next
day and anyone else who might want to come. The first clinic will be the
Girl Power Clinic (women's only) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. and will cover all the basics of stroke technique for
freestyle. The second clinic will be the Abitaman one and is open to all
athletes. It is from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Both clinics cost $25. There will
be giveaways from speedo, free powerbar stuff and other things from the
sponsors to handouts.
Central La. Getting Set for Triathlon, Duathlon
From Brad Colwell
We have already listed both the Paragon Casino Duathlon and the Indian
Creek Triathlon on active.com. Gary Perkins and I along with the Red River Tri
Club are hard at work on both events. The duathlon is really taking shape
in terms of organization and the participation of the casino. We are even
looking into the possibility of cash awards for the top three finishers
(male/female) for Paragon.
Privateer Criterium Bike Race Set for March 20
From Brooks A. Branham
The UNO Cycling Club and the New Orleans Zephyrs is presenting the first
Privateer Crit. The race will be held on March 20, 2005 and will have both
Collegiate and USCF categories.
For further information on the Privateer Crit please, refer to the event's
website www.uno.edu/~cycle. Click on the first news item about the
Privateer Crit and you will be redirected to the race flyer. Online registration is
now open at http://www.bikereg.com/races/register.asp?EventID=2113.
Time Trial Set for Competitive Cyclists on March 19
On March 19, 2005, The New Orleans Bicycle Club (NOBC) will be presenting
the two-person time trial. UNO is very happy to announce that this year's
two-person time trail will have Collegiate Categories. Information on the
NOBC two-person time trial can be found at
http://www.gnofn.org/%7Enobc//2005/2man_tt.htm.
Furry 5km Race Set in Mississippi for Human Society
From Allison McNamara
The Mississippi State University Chapter of the Oktibbeha County Humane
Society is hosting a 5km on April 9th, 2005.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Entry
forms can also be found at www.msstate.edu/org/humane. All proceeds will
benefit the building of the new Starkville Animal Shelter.
This race will be held at the Thad Cochran Research Park on
Highway 82 in Starkville, MS. Registration and sign-in starts at 7a.m.,
the 5km starts at 8 a.m. Everyone who pre-registers
by March 31st will receive a t-shirt. Entry fees are $15 per
person and participants are encouraged to bring their dogs at no extra
charge. Entry forms can be found at www.msstate.edu/org/humane or by
calling 662/ 312-9233.
Prizes will be awarded for the top three in the 5km. More prizes will also
be awarded to our furry friends who finish first
in the 5km. Great raffle prizes will also be up for grabs for everyone who
enters. Don't miss this chance to support our efforts
in providing pets of Oktibbeha County with the best care possible!
Crescent City Cyclists Set Spring Century
From Bob Hodges
(Editor's Note: No date was given)
Here are the details of this ride which up until now has been called the "Mystery Ride". There will be three length options (26 miles, 40 miles, and 56 miles). The route has a lot of rolling hills, some that can be a bit steep. This ride should be excellent training for the Baton Rouge Bike Club spring century that will be coming up the first weekend in May.
The ride will start at 8 a.m. from the intersection of Louisiana 450 and Louisiana
16 or "Cucumber Corner" according to local lore.
I'll plan to have an ice chest full of cold drinks (perhaps even some adult
beverages) for those of us who chose to do the long route. If you do a
shorter route, hang out in the parking lot if you'd like to have a cold one
with us.
Adventure Race Clinic Set March 26 in Baton Rouge
From Jeff Diamond
225/268-3599
Team Backpacker / Bicycle Shop Adventure Racing will host an introductory
adventure racing skills clinic at 10: a.m.on March 26th at The Backpacker
in Baton Rouge on Jefferson Highway. This will be a very informal gathering.
Our purpose is to try to introduce newcomers to the sport and to help them with gear
selection, map and compass navigation, pre-race and race day nutrition and
hydration, training and handling special tests and mystery events. There
will be a "classroom" style session inside The Backpacker that will last
about two hours, followed by a "field" style session at BREC's Hooper Road
Park. At the park, we will work on off-road cycling skills, transition
skills and navigation skills.
Again, this is to be informal and suited to the beginner to intermediate
adventure racer. We don't hold ourselves out to be experts, but we do have
many races on our résumé's.
If you're interested, come on out. It's free and it'll probably be fun. You
may even learn something.
There will be three-minute gaps between the women/juniors, masters, and category riders. Riders start in order of registration. Participants will have ample time to get to the start area -- registration closes at 1:30 p.m. and first rider off at 2 p.m. -- it'll be up to you to take advantage of it.
Category 1-2s and Cat. 3s will be combined for Louisiana Cycling Cup Series points but will be separated for the prize list. We'll post both lists at the conclusion of the event. The race flyer can be found at: www.teamlasport.org/TT/crossroads.htm
Course records (10-mile):
Cat. 1-2-3: Troy Porter, Herring Gas, 22:03
Cat. 4: Tim Perry, Twin City Cyclists, 23:00
Cat. 5: Chuck Engle, Team Icy, 23:25
Women: Shannon Koch, Team LaS'port, 26:06
Masters 35+: Eddie Corcoran, NBO/Peake, 22:35
Masters 45+: Bert Durrett, Team LaS'port & Terry Kincaid, Twin City Cyclists, both 24:47
Swim Clinic Set for March 19th
From Shelly Ripple, <sripple@...>
There will be a couple of swim clinics hled in conjunction with the
Abitaman and Girl Power events on Saturday March 19th at the University of New
Orleans. We are doing it for all the triathletes that are racing the next
day and anyone else who might want to come. The first clinic will be the
Girl Power Clinic (women's only) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. and will cover all the basics of stroke technique for
freestyle. The second clinic will be the Abitaman one and is open to all
athletes. It is from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Both clinics cost $25. There will
be giveaways from speedo, free powerbar stuff and other things from the
sponsors to handouts.
Central La. Getting Set for Triathlon, Duathlon
From Brad Colwell
We have already listed both the Paragon Casino Duathlon and the Indian
Creek Triathlon on active.com. Gary Perkins and I along with the Red River Tri
Club are hard at work on both events. The duathlon is really taking shape
in terms of organization and the participation of the casino. We are even
looking into the possibility of cash awards for the top three finishers
(male/female) for Paragon.
Privateer Criterium Bike Race Set for March 20
From Brooks A. Branham
The UNO Cycling Club and the New Orleans Zephyrs is presenting the first
Privateer Crit. The race will be held on March 20, 2005 and will have both
Collegiate and USCF categories.
For further information on the Privateer Crit please, refer to the event's
website www.uno.edu/~cycle. Click on the first news item about the
Privateer Crit and you will be redirected to the race flyer. Online registration is
now open at http://www.bikereg.com/races/register.asp?EventID=2113.
Time Trial Set for Competitive Cyclists on March 19
On March 19, 2005, The New Orleans Bicycle Club (NOBC) will be presenting
the two-person time trial. UNO is very happy to announce that this year's
two-person time trail will have Collegiate Categories. Information on the
NOBC two-person time trial can be found at
http://www.gnofn.org/%7Enobc//2005/2man_tt.htm.
Furry 5km Race Set in Mississippi for Human Society
From Allison McNamara
The Mississippi State University Chapter of the Oktibbeha County Humane
Society is hosting a 5km on April 9th, 2005.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Entry
forms can also be found at www.msstate.edu/org/humane. All proceeds will
benefit the building of the new Starkville Animal Shelter.
This race will be held at the Thad Cochran Research Park on
Highway 82 in Starkville, MS. Registration and sign-in starts at 7a.m.,
the 5km starts at 8 a.m. Everyone who pre-registers
by March 31st will receive a t-shirt. Entry fees are $15 per
person and participants are encouraged to bring their dogs at no extra
charge. Entry forms can be found at www.msstate.edu/org/humane or by
calling 662/ 312-9233.
Prizes will be awarded for the top three in the 5km. More prizes will also
be awarded to our furry friends who finish first
in the 5km. Great raffle prizes will also be up for grabs for everyone who
enters. Don't miss this chance to support our efforts
in providing pets of Oktibbeha County with the best care possible!
Crescent City Cyclists Set Spring Century
From Bob Hodges
(Editor's Note: No date was given)
Here are the details of this ride which up until now has been called the "Mystery Ride". There will be three length options (26 miles, 40 miles, and 56 miles). The route has a lot of rolling hills, some that can be a bit steep. This ride should be excellent training for the Baton Rouge Bike Club spring century that will be coming up the first weekend in May.
The ride will start at 8 a.m. from the intersection of Louisiana 450 and Louisiana
16 or "Cucumber Corner" according to local lore.
I'll plan to have an ice chest full of cold drinks (perhaps even some adult
beverages) for those of us who chose to do the long route. If you do a
shorter route, hang out in the parking lot if you'd like to have a cold one
with us.
Adventure Race Clinic Set March 26 in Baton Rouge
From Jeff Diamond
225/268-3599
Team Backpacker / Bicycle Shop Adventure Racing will host an introductory
adventure racing skills clinic at 10: a.m.on March 26th at The Backpacker
in Baton Rouge on Jefferson Highway. This will be a very informal gathering.
Our purpose is to try to introduce newcomers to the sport and to help them with gear
selection, map and compass navigation, pre-race and race day nutrition and
hydration, training and handling special tests and mystery events. There
will be a "classroom" style session inside The Backpacker that will last
about two hours, followed by a "field" style session at BREC's Hooper Road
Park. At the park, we will work on off-road cycling skills, transition
skills and navigation skills.
Again, this is to be informal and suited to the beginner to intermediate
adventure racer. We don't hold ourselves out to be experts, but we do have
many races on our résumé's.
If you're interested, come on out. It's free and it'll probably be fun. You
may even learn something.
Competitive Cyclists Gearing Up for Velodrome Series
From Christopher Stokes
The kick off to the 2005 LaMBRA Track Series is just a little over three
weeks away. New for 2005 is the LaMBRA Track Coordinator Ben Shuler. He
plans to make 2005 fun and exciting for racers and fans alike with not
only the track events but with some special non-cycling events as well.
The Herring Gas cycling team will be promoting the first of seven events
in the 2005 Track Series at the Baton Rouge Velodrome, that as in the past will be a blast
to race. We are in the process of finalizing our events list/format for the
first race and would appreciate your feedback. Please consider the
following and reply accordingly.
Now, to the point of my email. Unfortunately for the LaMBRA Track Series,
rider participation has fluctuated greatly from event to event and year to
year. I've raced events at the Baton Rouge Velodrome with groups as large
as 30 and as small as 3. Believe me, racing in a group of 30 is much more
fun that racing in a group of 3!
I along with all of the other promoters have heard all the reasons and
excuses for why participation may be low ... from racing on Saturday
morning vs. Saturday night to mass start events vs. timed events to doesn't mesh
with someone's training/racing on the road, and so on. But when the promoter's
have remedied these, racers still wouldn't show up.
I would like to hear from you on what it would take to get more racers to
the track. More events? Different events? Longer events? Shorter events?
More prize money? Giveaways? Food? Drink? More convenient scheduling?
Some other special event going on at the Velodrome simultaneously?
Instructional and training classes? Or exactly what?
This request for feedback is aimed at anyone who is willing to provide
serious feedback, but especially those who have raced or trained on the
velodrome in the past or anyone who is interested and thinking about track
racing and hasn't taken the first steps.
Feel free to respond to the LaMBRA list or to me specifically. Your
feedback is very valuable and will be shared with the Track Coordinator
and all promoters to hopefully strengthen our track program to provide better
racing and participation.
For Sale
From Klint
I have a Yakima roof rack that holds two bikes. It is about a year and a
half old. I have all that locks that allow you to lock the rack to the car
and the bikes to the rack.
Details:
4-Lowrider Towers
2-48" crossbars
1-32" Wind Fairing
2-Viper Fork Mounts
2-Wheel Forks
For Sale
I still have a Saris bike rack that I have never used. Asking $80. Check out
my add in Roadbike Review Classifieds for a picture.
Email me at carrier050173fj@... or call 225/802-2018.
http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds
For Sale
From Johnny of the Northshore
Looking for a race-ready bike with a smaller frame? This bike would be
great for someone about 5'6" - 5'10". Great deal for a race bike that's
ready to go! Asking $975. Please email vua Team Earthquake for pictures if you're interested.
52 cm Cannondale R2000 Caad4 road bike - about five years old.
Specs: Aluminum frame; Slice carbon fiber forks; Full Ultegra group; Look
pp156 pedals; Flight Deck ready; Fi'zi:k saddle; Cane Creek 700 wheels; new
tires and tubes.
Short Track Cross Country Race Perspective
From Joshua Rosby
Last Thursday night I go online to www.weather.com to check out the
forecast for San Antonio. Folks are predicting 10 percent chance of rain
on Saturday and 35 percent chance of rain on Sunday. I -- being absolutely
gullible -- believe them, as they are experts in their field of
guessing. So we (Charlie Rome and I) head out for the
race.
We make it to Bourne,TX just as it gets dark and I am thinking I
really wanted to ride today. Oh well lets make ourselves comfy. I
am a frugal sort of fellow when it comes to MTB events. We camped out on the
lawn of this resort in tents under the pedal mashers team tent.
STXC- This is one of those very misleading acronyms for Short Track
Cross Country. It is neither short in the length of your suffering
nor raced on what many would call a track. Indeed, the word track is
From Christopher Stokes
The kick off to the 2005 LaMBRA Track Series is just a little over three
weeks away. New for 2005 is the LaMBRA Track Coordinator Ben Shuler. He
plans to make 2005 fun and exciting for racers and fans alike with not
only the track events but with some special non-cycling events as well.
The Herring Gas cycling team will be promoting the first of seven events
in the 2005 Track Series at the Baton Rouge Velodrome, that as in the past will be a blast
to race. We are in the process of finalizing our events list/format for the
first race and would appreciate your feedback. Please consider the
following and reply accordingly.
Now, to the point of my email. Unfortunately for the LaMBRA Track Series,
rider participation has fluctuated greatly from event to event and year to
year. I've raced events at the Baton Rouge Velodrome with groups as large
as 30 and as small as 3. Believe me, racing in a group of 30 is much more
fun that racing in a group of 3!
I along with all of the other promoters have heard all the reasons and
excuses for why participation may be low ... from racing on Saturday
morning vs. Saturday night to mass start events vs. timed events to doesn't mesh
with someone's training/racing on the road, and so on. But when the promoter's
have remedied these, racers still wouldn't show up.
I would like to hear from you on what it would take to get more racers to
the track. More events? Different events? Longer events? Shorter events?
More prize money? Giveaways? Food? Drink? More convenient scheduling?
Some other special event going on at the Velodrome simultaneously?
Instructional and training classes? Or exactly what?
This request for feedback is aimed at anyone who is willing to provide
serious feedback, but especially those who have raced or trained on the
velodrome in the past or anyone who is interested and thinking about track
racing and hasn't taken the first steps.
Feel free to respond to the LaMBRA list or to me specifically. Your
feedback is very valuable and will be shared with the Track Coordinator
and all promoters to hopefully strengthen our track program to provide better
racing and participation.
For Sale
From Klint
I have a Yakima roof rack that holds two bikes. It is about a year and a
half old. I have all that locks that allow you to lock the rack to the car
and the bikes to the rack.
Details:
4-Lowrider Towers
2-48" crossbars
1-32" Wind Fairing
2-Viper Fork Mounts
2-Wheel Forks
For Sale
I still have a Saris bike rack that I have never used. Asking $80. Check out
my add in Roadbike Review Classifieds for a picture.
Email me at carrier050173fj@... or call 225/802-2018.
http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds
For Sale
From Johnny of the Northshore
Looking for a race-ready bike with a smaller frame? This bike would be
great for someone about 5'6" - 5'10". Great deal for a race bike that's
ready to go! Asking $975. Please email vua Team Earthquake for pictures if you're interested.
52 cm Cannondale R2000 Caad4 road bike - about five years old.
Specs: Aluminum frame; Slice carbon fiber forks; Full Ultegra group; Look
pp156 pedals; Flight Deck ready; Fi'zi:k saddle; Cane Creek 700 wheels; new
tires and tubes.
Short Track Cross Country Race Perspective
From Joshua Rosby
Last Thursday night I go online to www.weather.com to check out the
forecast for San Antonio. Folks are predicting 10 percent chance of rain
on Saturday and 35 percent chance of rain on Sunday. I -- being absolutely
gullible -- believe them, as they are experts in their field of
guessing. So we (Charlie Rome and I) head out for the
race.
We make it to Bourne,TX just as it gets dark and I am thinking I
really wanted to ride today. Oh well lets make ourselves comfy. I
am a frugal sort of fellow when it comes to MTB events. We camped out on the
lawn of this resort in tents under the pedal mashers team tent.
STXC- This is one of those very misleading acronyms for Short Track
Cross Country. It is neither short in the length of your suffering
nor raced on what many would call a track. Indeed, the word track is
used in the loosest of definitions.
Saturday mornings STXC was the most painful experience I have felt in a long
time. I -- always trying to maintain my socially accepted habit of
being late a little late -- paid for tardiness with hard, deep breaths, and
loads of sweat. The race started so fast that I felt fine. I expected it to
start fast what I did not expect was for the race to be strung out on the first climb.
The first climb was ~ 1/8th mile into the course which was under a mile in length.
The first and second tier of the climb was not bad. However, after riding 15-
20 laps with ~ 100 to150 feet of elevation each lap, fatigue really starts to
set in. The grassy section on the course was slick like ball joint
grease and the stream crossing on each lap just made life that much
more difficult than necessary. Oh yes, did I mention that the Expert 19-24
field was large, too? There were more than a share of guys who showed up with
20 laps with ~ 100 to150 feet of elevation each lap, fatigue really starts to
set in. The grassy section on the course was slick like ball joint
grease and the stream crossing on each lap just made life that much
more difficult than necessary. Oh yes, did I mention that the Expert 19-24
field was large, too? There were more than a share of guys who showed up with
their game faces on.
My legs were great. My tires sucked. The gauge I used before the
race was very much non calibrated. I was bouncing all over the trail
and on each descent I drifted 16 feet while cutting the apex of this
one muddy corner in the grass during the race. Basically, I finished
horribly. My own fault.
Saturday night I decide no camping for me. So we broke down and
split a hotel. I bet those people at Super 8 hate me now with two muddy
guys dirtying up their rooms. I was asleep at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday Night.
The skies opened up. I woke up at 4:45 a.m. to a hard rain. I was
trying to get to my race which started at 7:30 a.m. While we did make it there in time, I
did not make it to the start line early and was once again relegated
to the back of the group for the start. I had done the race on Saturday
so I was thinking I could put the hammer down today. So we start the
race and it is absolute pandemonium. There were some minor
differences in the climb from the STXC and the XC. The XC other than
being 12.2 miles of very technical but awesome trail had a very large
third tier to the starting climb. XC another deviant acronym stands
for Cross Country. It should stand for ride it if you can or how big
are your balls cause this trail is about to kick you in them....
We start the race. I am dead last off the line but I rapidly start
to make up time on this group of ~ 35. I choose to sit in on the
first tier and hit them when they are hurting on the second and third tier.
By the start second tier I had caught five guys or so. While
racing up this "Texas-sized hill" on the second tier, I passed another
10 guys or so. Now it was time to let it all hang out so to speak
and try and make contact with the lead group on the third tier. Many
guys burned up on the unimportant start of the climb. I flew past
them and next thing I know I am in seventh place or so. I was feeling a
little tired but good.
It rained all Saturday afternoon and Saturday night and Sunday
morning. The trail had received a lot of rain. I knew going into
it, that the trail would be difficult to ride but I had no idea of
what I was getting myself into.
We start the single track and I am still in seventh place, just off the back
of the leading group. About that time, some of the guys I was racing against
started to recover. Just as we get to this cool section of the trail
which has a nice little ledge with a six-foot drop, I loose control of
my front end and slide off the edge of the ledge. Oh
S#+*! I did not injure myself but I had to sit and wait
as all the 20+ guys I had just passed went by. That was the most
decisive part of my race.
So I am riding again I start to catch guys and then I crash again. Well by this
My legs were great. My tires sucked. The gauge I used before the
race was very much non calibrated. I was bouncing all over the trail
and on each descent I drifted 16 feet while cutting the apex of this
one muddy corner in the grass during the race. Basically, I finished
horribly. My own fault.
Saturday night I decide no camping for me. So we broke down and
split a hotel. I bet those people at Super 8 hate me now with two muddy
guys dirtying up their rooms. I was asleep at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday Night.
The skies opened up. I woke up at 4:45 a.m. to a hard rain. I was
trying to get to my race which started at 7:30 a.m. While we did make it there in time, I
did not make it to the start line early and was once again relegated
to the back of the group for the start. I had done the race on Saturday
so I was thinking I could put the hammer down today. So we start the
race and it is absolute pandemonium. There were some minor
differences in the climb from the STXC and the XC. The XC other than
being 12.2 miles of very technical but awesome trail had a very large
third tier to the starting climb. XC another deviant acronym stands
for Cross Country. It should stand for ride it if you can or how big
are your balls cause this trail is about to kick you in them....
We start the race. I am dead last off the line but I rapidly start
to make up time on this group of ~ 35. I choose to sit in on the
first tier and hit them when they are hurting on the second and third tier.
By the start second tier I had caught five guys or so. While
racing up this "Texas-sized hill" on the second tier, I passed another
10 guys or so. Now it was time to let it all hang out so to speak
and try and make contact with the lead group on the third tier. Many
guys burned up on the unimportant start of the climb. I flew past
them and next thing I know I am in seventh place or so. I was feeling a
little tired but good.
It rained all Saturday afternoon and Saturday night and Sunday
morning. The trail had received a lot of rain. I knew going into
it, that the trail would be difficult to ride but I had no idea of
what I was getting myself into.
We start the single track and I am still in seventh place, just off the back
of the leading group. About that time, some of the guys I was racing against
started to recover. Just as we get to this cool section of the trail
which has a nice little ledge with a six-foot drop, I loose control of
my front end and slide off the edge of the ledge. Oh
S#+*! I did not injure myself but I had to sit and wait
as all the 20+ guys I had just passed went by. That was the most
decisive part of my race.
So I am riding again I start to catch guys and then I crash again. Well by this
point some of the Masters racers had caught up to me and were breathing down
my neck. So I let them all by when I bust my arse again because I can't catch my
group. We get to the very nasty road climb. This thing was 20 percent gradient for
group. We get to the very nasty road climb. This thing was 20 percent gradient for
~ 1/2-3/4 mile or so. I, though feeling great, had at that point been having such a
crummy race that I just put the hammer down. I caught seven people on that climb. I was feeling
great. If only the whole race had revolved around the way I was
climbing I would have won. I crested the peak of that climb and then
more slick muddy rock. I bailed on the race after the first lap.
So what have we learned?
1) Always try and go off-road riding once a week so you don't end up
like I did.
2) Always come over prepared for any race.
3) PAM is not only good for cooking but also great on MTBs prior to
races in sloppy conditions.
4) Don't ever show up to a NORBA National Event unprepared.
Jason Sager, a long-time Baton Rouge rider who now lives in the Austin, TX area has
this to say about the race:
http://www.jasonsager.com/blog/index.php
++++++++++
That's it from here. Bless God, America.
Jay Bookman Jay Bookman Jay Bookman Jay Bookman Jay Bookman
Kenny Dunaway
2325 Weymouth Drive #D
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-1481
USA
225/296-7490
Isaiah 40:31; John 3:16
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_(_)(_)/_(_)/ (_)
great. If only the whole race had revolved around the way I was
climbing I would have won. I crested the peak of that climb and then
more slick muddy rock. I bailed on the race after the first lap.
So what have we learned?
1) Always try and go off-road riding once a week so you don't end up
like I did.
2) Always come over prepared for any race.
3) PAM is not only good for cooking but also great on MTBs prior to
races in sloppy conditions.
4) Don't ever show up to a NORBA National Event unprepared.
Jason Sager, a long-time Baton Rouge rider who now lives in the Austin, TX area has
this to say about the race:
http://www.jasonsager.com/blog/index.php
++++++++++
That's it from here. Bless God, America.
Jay Bookman Jay Bookman Jay Bookman Jay Bookman Jay Bookman
Kenny Dunaway
2325 Weymouth Drive #D
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-1481
USA
225/296-7490
Isaiah 40:31; John 3:16
--- __0 __0 __0
----_-\<,_ -\<,
_(_)(_)/_(_)/ (_)
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