Mountain biking Returns

Another year has come and it is almost January. Christmas is only 11 days away. The year has been filled with hard work, evolving relationships, minor physical challenges, along with the change of the seasons. I have always felt if I am going to sacrifice and save to buy something material, like a bike or gadget, I should try to get something that I will be pleased with in the end and not just settle for average. Things don't always have to be the most expensive or the very best, but they do need to be of high quality and something I believe will be worth my efforts in the long run. Sometimes things of enduring quality and craftsmanship cost a lot more because of material, engineering constraints, and manufacturing requirements. But the end result comes down to answering the question, "Does the product do what it was meant to do, and does it do it well." I am wanting a full suspension bike, but it needs to be light, have a good bottom bracket clearance, strong, and ride with precision. I think that the Santa Cruz Carbon blur XC fits the bill. I am wanting to use shimano XT components with Avid brakes, DT Swiss 26 inch mountain bike wheels and affordable functional Rock Shox front shocks. Carbon all around on seat post and handlebars.

This project will take a long time because it is very expensive. Hard work, sacrifice, persistence toward my goal, and I believe I will back in the mountains, becoming at one with the great single track here in the Ozarks.

Completed Goal

With a lot of hard work, patience, persistence, tax return money, work bonus, and every spare dime I could scrape up, I was able to finally piece together my new 2010 Scott CR1 Pro bicycle. Trying to match my last bike fit as closely as possible, I went with a Thompson 80mm stem +10 degrees, FSA carbon fiber handlebars, seat post, and Sram Force groupo with a 1090 SRam 11-28 cassette, and compact drive. I also used an old Terry Titanium Fly Saddle, my Easton ea 90slx wheels and Vittoria Open Pave clinchers. Tom from GVHbikes allowed me to set up an account to pay the groupo off and pay for the shipping and build. I purchased the frameset from Competitive cyclist. I also purchase new speedplay x2 pedals and got some cheap specialized water bottle cages. I spent about 3 weeks dialing in the bike and now I feel extremely comfortable on her even in the drops. The Sram Force took some getting use to as it is very different from my Shimano 105s, but it is very articulate, which I am assured is good if you are into going fast. I still like the smoothness of the shimano and I still ride Nemo. They both have completely different feels. I enjoy both bikes.

Back to basics

With all the focus on going fast, my main goal, which has actually always been my goal, is to pedal my bike with no stress and pain. The intensity and training makes it easy to forget that my original goal is just to enjoy the ride. This is why I often ride alone. I am able to get into my own natural rhythm, to listen to my body, to meditate, to stop and take in the sights, to change my course depending on my mood. Each moment is a grand escape, a small adventure that somehow charges my soul.

Time to take care.

I have started a new bike project. I am having a CR1 Pro built with a SRAM Force Groupo, FSA K light seatpost, and FSA carbon handle bars. I have committed myself to riding in the Joe Martin Stage Race.

My main goal until then is to stay positive, eat and hydrate better, get more rest, and ride lots.

I'm very excited about having a new personal goal. I will be training on Nemo, my faithful steed as it will take around 6 weeks to pay for the groupo. The frameset ships today. The new bike is called Swedie.

Encouraged by my weaknesses.

Caught this reflection of myself after a humbling ride with an experienced group of riders. The course was ok at first and they weren't even trying hard. I felt a lot of nervous energy riding with strong riders and people I didn't know. One gentleman leads the beginners group ride. At around 8 miles, the road turns up sharply. and for some reason, my body just couldn't handle it. My heart and muscles were straining and I just had to struggle slowly as best as I could. I wouldn't say I bonked after such a short distance, but the hill in spots was 12 percent and then 5 percent and not very short. My body just shut down. One of the riders doubled back to check on me and they waited for me. The down hill was super fast and I approached 43 miles an hour. But regardless, I just couldn't recover from blowing out on the hills. It not only hurt to not be able to pick it up and shake it off, but I just couldn't ride even at the fast rate that I know I am able to maintain on a flat. I told them not to worry about me and I had to just let them go. It was a good lesson in humility, but also an eye opener to how stressed my body and emotions have been. The blood pressure medicine has affected my abilities, but that isn't all. I am over weight, and my bad cholesterol is a little too high. I can't seem to lose weight. So I turned around and used my Garmin to get me home. I climbed back up the hill, and if I needed to stop, I did and drank water. The wind was pretty strong in addition to the hills. My body started to recover at about 14 miles and I just went my own pace and slowly started to feel myself again. So, I decided to turn a negative and a smashed ego into a positive and see it as a goal to improve upon. I need to eat better, rest better, and work on my weight and climbing skills. My basic endurance is ok, but I need to work on strength and speed to keep up with the experienced group. Today was a disappointment, but I am resolved to do better. I thought about the book, "Heft on Wheels" and how he rode with the fast group regardless and kept at it. He eventually got to where he was able to climb and stay with the strong riders.
Rickie

I have hit a wall

Been riding as much as possible and intensifying my efforts not only in distance, but rate. I have tried to stick to a plan of endurance principles along with climbing, and occassional all out speed, and it has caught up with me. It is time to rest a while and charge the batteries. The Tour De Cure for Diabeties is coming October 3rd and my body is tired and showing signs of fatique. So I best listen to it, see a doctor, and give it a break so I can ride strong later. I have been showing signs of overtraining. So it is best I listen when my body and emotions are talking. I'm pretty sure Nemo could use a rest too.

Nemo's sportin new fenders

Nemo is sportin new SKS Race Blade fenders. She put up a fuss at first, but now I think she likes them. I purchased the carbon looking fenders and they seemed to adjust relatively easily after I noticed how they were constructed. I did read the instructions briefly. I didn't use tape on the fork and it was far more difficult to get right. Nemo's tires are getting worn out, but still have several miles in them. The back tire is far more worn and cut up than the front tire, but I am waiting to get her all gussied up with the new tires and tape I have on the shelf for when it is dryer outside. After riding in the rain the other day, I decided I had to have something to keep my britches less wet and the bike less gritty. I am hoping this will help as it is the rainy season right now. I figured buying fenders was a great way to change the weather from wet to dry. I will have to wait to test my theory. Good luck to all the pros and non pros racing the Joe Martin Stage Race. It should be brutal.
Rickie