Sunday, July 27, 2008

And we're off...

Off to ORAMM. I'll post a report (good or bad) either tonight or tomorrow morning. Later folks. Gotta love a race where I get to sleep in my own bed. :-D

Monday, July 21, 2008

I give up

I tried. I really did. I've spent the last 11 months telling myself that ORAMM wasn't that big a deal to me anymore. I was wrong. It's 6 days away and has consumed my every waking thought. This was the first endurance race I ever did and I was instantly hooked. The long climb up Kitsumas switchbacks followed by the ripping descent. The mental hell of the neverending grassy road. The long, painful grind up Curtis Creek. The hair raising fun of Heartbreak. All this topped off by another trip(usually pushing more now) up and down Kitsuma. It's all good. I cannot wait.

Don't get me wrong, Fools Gold is still the beast that haunts my dreams but I was nuts when I told myself that ORAMM was just another fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Bring it on.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Ugh. Back to work today. I did get some decent riding in though. A 2 hour day of mostly climbing on the parkway monday and then a little over 4 hours on the dirt tuesday. Yesterday was spent doing chores and hanging out with Amanda and her mom. All in all a pretty good "weekend" off. Only 10 more days til ORAMM which means only a little over 4 weeks til Fools Gold. Sheesh. Where the hell does time go. Seems like summer just started. Hope everybody is having a great week.

Friday, July 11, 2008

aches and pains

We can file this under the category of "Embarassing crashes". Wenesday I headed out toKitsuma for a ride. Parked at the Old Fort picnic area and headed up to the trail. Just as soon as I get onto the trail,the skies opened up big time.Ah well,wet roots and rocks just make it more fun. HA! Got up the switchbacks with only a few dabs(one day....) and headed down. Going down Kitsuma is a blast.It's a narrow ass singletrack descent that requires your full attention. I made it all the way down with only a few small falls.Then as I came out of the woods back into the picnic area I could see my truck and started thinking about dry clothes and dinner. This lapse of attention cost me as my tires hit some wet roots my bike slid out from under me and tossed me down hard. I have assorted bruises and a beat to hell right knee that sort of resembled a softball for a day.The rear deraillur got knocked over hard enough that it required a bit ofadjusting so it wouldn't go into the spokes when I used the granny.That wouldn't have been fun.The lesson learned? The ride isn't over til your off the bike and at your vehicle. This ranks right up there with the 12 hour at Razorbacklast year when I adjusted my glasses and missed the grip with my hand and bit it.Sheesh.

Have a good weekend folks.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

papa got a brand new bag

Finally got my WIngnut Assault. I gotta say it's a good pack. I really like the easily gotten to side zippers. No more having to pull the pack off to reach my multi tool, gels and such. It also feels much better on the back.The lo-rider design works as advertised. Plus,it's super light. Definitely worth the wait.

Got in 4 hours (OK 3 hrs 58 minutes) yesterday at Bent Creek. It was my first time there since they did the new work on Greens Lick thats causing such a ruckus in the NC/SC forum on MTBR. I have to say,I don't get it. I liked it. I'm by far not the worlds greatest technical rider and I handled it ok. I think some folks just enjoy raising hell.

Well, I hope everybody is having a great week.Later folks.