Emm Ess Tee

E-rich and I hit the Moore's Springs Trails tonight. Just as we were leaving my place a slight drizzle started, but a quick check of the radar let us know it was just a passing shower. We continued with the plans of hitting MST, and were glad we did. The trails were perfectly tacky, just the right amount of rain fell to knock down the dust, and make for great traction in the corners. Impressive berms, and great rock work is the norm on these trails! Oh, and also, some great views!

Catsup.

As in ketchup, or catch up. I've been quiet here in the past few days, but have still been riding. I broke another spoke on a Saturday ride with Whit and Mitch, and had to be picked up. Curtis made it back from DC for a MNRR, which was great. Afterwards we hung out at the old shop for a while just shooting the breeze and catching up. This weekend plans are coming together for a day in Boone with mi esposita, Mitch, and Amy. Mitch and I should be able to get in a good ride...maybe the Boone Roubaix course?

Curtis' new bike...rocking Chorus 11 speed. Mad!




Riding into the sunset




And Whit's dirty dangly bits. oh. man.

Liquidating

Alright, it's time to sell some stuff off. This is just the beginning of trying to clear out the unnecessary bike stuff in the basement, hopefully someone can buy some of this stuff and enjoy it! Everything is posted on craigslist as of now, trying to stave off the fees from fleabay.


Salsa Big Mama 29er Full Suspension size Large $1800
built with x9 3X10, Elixir CRs, Bontrager Rhythm wheelset
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/bik/2521155773.html



Pearl Izumi Pro Road Shoes size 42 Used $50.
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/bik/2521156884.html



New Vuelta XRP SL Wheelset with Kenda KlimaxLite Tires mounted $750 Retail $275 here.
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/bik/2521159721.html



New Motobecane FLY Pro 26" Frame size 20" with headset and seatpost included $300
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/bik/2521160579.html

Racing?

Believe it or not, Mitch was able to convince me to race my first XC race in five or so years today. It's too bad that the race wasn't today though, turns out it is next week...so all that work for naught Mitch! Since he and Duane and I had already planned on riding we decided to head to Hobby Park anyways to get in some dirt. Inevitably my bike was making some racket and I had managed to allow one of my crankarms to loosen up even after being a gorilla the last time this happened. It was definitely sweltering in the woods, so we decided to only do one lap, but it was good to get out nonetheless. Unfortunately, riding at Hobby only amplifies my desire to ride somewhere else, as in almost anywhere else. I like some of the features there, but you never quite escape the feeling of being in a tiny park in city limits which, for me, really inhibits my ability to enjoy being on the mountain bike. I have more of the mindset that when I am going on a mountain bike ride, there should be at least one point in the ride where you feel really "out there." I'm feeling some Pisgah next week before school starts back up! Pisgah!

Fun Ride, Autodrop Work

Last night I got out with a good crew based out of Rural Hall. We hit some good climbs in Stokes County along with some gravel.

Heading towards the gravel:


The ride was cut short though due to a broken spoke (and subsequent frame rubbage) and three flats.


The apres velo at Franks was a nice touch, and it was good to ride with a different crew from the norm Lewisville ride. I'll be back out on that one again soon!


I know that I have made mention of it here previously, but Erich and I are putting on a race of a different sort in October. We've been working pretty diligently on it in separate capacities. I've been out and about scouting and taking photos of various checkpoints and updating the blog, while Erich has been busy with working on all the merchandise/invites/website and not to mention a newborn now! Congrats!


If you have a second, click on over to the Autodrop Blog and check out the format. I can assure you it will be one of your most memorable days on a bike!

Rapha Rising Finale

Last night, I finished the Rapha Rising challenge by doing some repeats up Sauratown Mountain. Sauratown Mountain stands guard over the piedmont like a benevolent old man. I knew that I wanted to do something unique for the finale, and I decided on doing some climbing in the dark and enjoy a frosty adult beverage at the summit. I made my way out to the area via car so I wouldnt have to ride home the 20 miles in the dark on roads where it can be less than wise to ride even during the day. I got in a warm up and started on the way up the mountain.

Moore's Wall as the backdrop



The second go round had me ascending into the dark, but not before I saw a number of deer in some of the lower slopes. I kept a mental note of this because on this section of the descent speeds can easily reach 45-50mph...not tonight though. I got to the top and made my way through the dark woods to get an overlook to the south. Sauratown stands about 1400 feet above the Piedmont below and on clear days affords views of three cities; Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point. Tonight, the only city that was visible was Winston-Salem about 25 miles away as the crow flies.



I stood alone in the dark at the top and cracked open the beer I brought along and enjoyed it thoroughly. Reignited the lights and set off down the mountain at a snail's pace so as not to have any unintended interactions with wildlife. At one point I had to let loose because I could hear a dog chasing me. This was unsettling, because I only had bar mount lights mounted so I couldnt turn to see how close it was. All I could do was release the brakes, tuck and hope that it wouldn't latch onto my ankle. After a short distance I felt safe again and sat up and descended the rest of the way in relative comfort.




When initially setting out to complete the Rapha Rising, I honestly didn't think I could accomplish it with doing some travelling. I was able to net some big days in the saddle here in North Carolina that afforded me a little breathing room heading to the midwest. Even while there I was able to find some decent hills on which to accumulate the necessary climbing. I became friends with suffering during this challenge, and also became acquanted with the chilling goodness of Biofreeze. Thanks Rapha for putting this out there, I look forward to the next challenge!

Hurt, Pain and Agony

The HPA delivered a serious helping of its namesake today. Heading into the ride I was concerned with the amount of climbing I had gotten in this week in my attempt at the Rapha Rising. On top of the mileage/climbing this week, the spousal figure came home from her internship for the weekend and didn't get in until late. Fast forward to this morning, and I'm running on five hours of sleep, having driven ten hours the previous day. I knew on my way out that I would be in rough shape for the opening climb. Off with the shotgun blast and 300 of my closest friends and I started out on our way.

The warm up consists of a 6 mile 1700ft climb right from the line, which definitely thins things out. I stayed with the lead group for the first three miles of the climb, but when things got steeper, I found myself OTB and in no mans land quickly. Topping out on rte 21, I was all alone and decided to soft pedal to wait up for someone to work in with. Four others caught on and we made our way to Mountainview. Along this stretch we caught a few riders, shed a few riders, helped a guy who had wrecked into the brush on one of the descents, and worked together well.

Once on the Parkway, I decided that after having drank through two bottles, I had to stop to refill. The group made the same decision, so we pulled in. Just after we refilled, Portier rocked past and yelled, "Barrisimo." I took that as my cue to chase down the group he was in. Just as we bridged the gap, he had taken a big pull, and found himself dangling on the climb. He anounced his reverse attack and I found myself in a small group of a couple familiar faces. Though she claimed to be out of shape, and having not ridden much lately, Diana was riding strong and was the first female out on the course. We worked together for a long ways, but I soon found myself in a tight spot about 43 miles in and fell off the back.

I was alone for the final 23 miles, the only memorable part of which was stopping to help a guy in full cramp mode in the ditch along the Parkway. I stayed with him for about ten or fifteen minutes to make sure he wasn't suffering any kind of heat related illness. He asked me to tell the people at the next sag stop that he needed a ride out, he was calling it quits. I tried to talk him into getting back on the bike to ride the next three or four miles to the sag, but his mind was made up. The heat was definitely the main contender today, it was pretty tough out there in the sunny portions of the climbs.

After the long descent down Oklahoma and Frank Parkway, I was faced with a decision. Turn right to descend into Stone Mountain State Park, only to turn around and ascend what I just dropped or turn left and head to food, sweet tea, and icy towels. Easy enough decision for me, I headed for the latter and found my day complete. I finished this years course, which was probably slightly easier, though longer than last years about ten minutes slower than last year. I count it as a victory though, with the stops I made to assist riders, riding solo for such a big portion, and having done quite a bit of climbing this week, I'm pretty pleased. Definitely an excellent ride, with plenty of climbing, and fun to be had!