El Mount Snow

I've been a boob about blogging my latest adventure to Mount Snow. Now well over a week ago, there really isn't any way to get across the feeling that a race like this brings me. I sat down and tried a few times but scrapped all of them because I couldn't get across the feeling.

I owe a huge debt to Greeley and Andy as they spent 3 days inconvenienced with the use of one of their two cars because they lent me the other. I couldn't get my shit together and find a ride up to the mountain so Greeley lent me her Jetta (pretty sweet little car) to take to Snow.

My race didn't go as planned, but it ended up being good anyway. I sucked the climbs but let loose on the intense 1 track descents. The confidence that I felt is one that I will feel for a long time. I figured out how good it feels to go downhill fast, connecting the mess of roots, rocks and rutted earth letting the bike go where it wants in the fastest line down the mountain.

The pro race was, as always, inspiring. I always walk away with goose bumps, wanting to ride my bike.

C dogs was on his A game. He was as high as 7th spending most of the day inside the top 10. With the big dogs. Seeing the top Americans walking up the course just shows how nasty the freaking climbs were.

Every time someone would find the 5mm swath of dirt that was climbable and would clear the section, the hills would erupt in cheers. The only other time I've heard a race louder was CX Nats.

MULLET! MULLET! MULLET!

I've got a whole album of shots here.

I've been laying low, taking time off the bike. Don't really want to, but I guess I need a mid-season charge up. I'm looking forward to some longer rides in the next few weeks and then ramping it up for CX. I also want to make sure I'm in top form for the wedding. I don't want to get fatigued shaking my booty and miss out later in the evening if you know what I mean...

I distinctly remember telling H that I wasn't feeling the start and it was cool if she missed it for nature's reasons. What happens? I end up givin'er and ride into third wheel after my last row start spot.

Funny how that happens.
I got a killer warm up busting out a lap during the sport race. The course was alright. Almost straight up the ski slope, down another ski slope, up some teki 1 track, a little more ski slope climbing finishing off with some DOPE 1 track into a soft bermed-out-fresh cut- single T descent. To say that I enjoyed riding this section of course is an understatement.
Until the skys opened up and the rain god, she punched us. As I was standing on the line sizing up the pain factor of the race, cats, dogs, pigs, small trailers, starting falling from the sky. With that much rain falling on dry earth, the trail disappeared rather quickly.

I still put in a good ride, took a wrong turn, made some dirt bike noises and then I got cold descending and could barely get warm by the top of the climbs.

So I pulled the plug. I was supposed to only give'r a for a little while in favor of keeping my matches for Snow - this weekend. So it worked out to kill my self in nasty conditions, but not over kill myself.

I'm super excited about Mount Snow in a few days but right now I gotta bounce 'cuse we're about to close the shop.

Laters.

Why I love the Tour

In case the video moved too fast for you:

07/07/07. People are paying arsine amounts to be wed on this date. As if pulling the 7's will give your marriage "luck" or staying power for your lack of finding a compatible mate. Lucky I've found mine so I don't need any of that luck stuff. This has nothing to do with cycling.

I think I'm racing the 'All out in Moody park' tomorrow. I say think because nailed my knee into one of the display cases at work today. I was avoiding helping a customer in favor of picking up the phone. Karma is a bitch but I got to the phone first. It hurts when I pedal, I'll have to evaluate in the morning.

Last race was pretty kick ass. Don't remember where it was but there were skull and cross bones on the race flier so that gave it kick ass points before I got there. It was technical stuff and super fun to ride. The start involved me and 50 other people of varying age groups making for a single file first lap. I also fell in a huge hole and had to hand my bike to some cheering folk and get lifted out. It's a better story over some brews. I was 4th until I stopped to use my quick fill and limp my leaky rear tire home and ended up on 5th. Not really what I was looking for, but looking back on it s'all good now.

Pretty kick ass photo if you ask me.

I road with this character on the 4th

Someone is so popular they check their messages in the middle of the woods.
All ribbing aside, it was another kick ass ride on some sick trailage. I'm riding the nasty all nasty like, lets hope that my body comes around with some speed in about two weeks.

It's always cool what you come across deep in the woods (click for a bigger image). Its what is cool about exploring the world around you, you never know what you'll find, even at places you've been to a thousand times.
I'm pretty sure I've got my set up all nailed down for Mount Snow. We'll see if it rains 'cuse that'll throw everything off a bit.

Enjoy the ride ya'll.