Trading Jabs on Barry Roubaix

With my race season rapidly approaching I have been trying to ride a bit more distance. Unfortunately, life has its own ideas and my miles have been hard to come by. Knowing this is a marathon and not a sprint, I am just taking what I can get.

First off, Friday night I headed to Yankee to meet up with Matt and Nate. Kevin from my team joined as well as Jimmy from the East side of the state. Jimmy and I are former rivals that will be rivals again this year, since Jimmy dumped his SS in favor of some gears. Yankee was good, but I have major work to do. I was ready to quit, and the guys just urged me to continue. We slogged away and finally arrived at the trailhead, I was happy to be done.

Sunday I met up with Matt again and Brian joined us. It was a brisk 25 degrees, but the wind chill had to be lower. It was pretty windy and the shivers were evident before we started. Thankfully, once we got going the temperature wasn't a factor. This ride I decided to ride The D.U.F.F. to see how much of a difference there would be between it and Albert. On the first "climb" which is still on the pavement, Brian and Matt put some distance on me. I stopped at the top of the first sister to check my phone (that had rang 3 times and had 3 messages) so they were a bit further ahead. I spun up the second sister and could see them ascending the 3rd. That is a bitch of a hill. I dropped into my low gear and spun very slowly to the top and we rolled onward again.

The roads were a good mix of packed dirt, normal gravel, sand, and super loose gravel. Should be interesting in the race if we don't get any rain to help tighten it up. Mentally I was just trying to concentrate on spinning steady. At this point in the season, that is really all I can do. We reached the dairy farm climb and I was already feeling gassed, about 5 miles in. I was being left behind and didn't really care for how it was making me feel. I crested the hill and had to smile as I saw Brain chasing down Matt. By the bottom of the hill Brian was pretty well past him. I think that was the turning point of my ride. I was warmed up for one, but mentally I started to come around too.

We chatted about the differences between the 36 mile and 22 mile courses after turning to the short distance. There is a pretty nasty punch climb that I just have to spin up. The power in my legs was feeling better, but I didn't want to burn up. Spin spin spin. Did you know there are more feet of climbing per mile on the short course than there is on the 36 mile course of Barry-Roubaix? Yeah, its true.

We kept plugging along and just riding our own paces. Heading into the cemetery climb the guys had a solid gap on me, but I closed down on Matt...because...gravity. Then we went uphill...and he passed me again. I was starting to close in on Brian and got to his wheel right at the top of the hill. We pressed on and each hill was different. One he would lead to the top, the next I would. He would gap me on a flat, and I would reel him in....then another hill and we would go back and forth. On one hill I felt a tug...and Brian grabbed me to get a slight edge. We laughed for the rest of that climb.

The rest of the ride was like that, back and forth. We made the last left to head back into town. A grinder climb then a few rollers. I was feeling pretty good so I attacked one of the rollers. I was carrying speed into the next one, so I stood and mashed that one too. Then we hit the pavement and the slight descent into Hastings. Matt was on my wheel but I never looked to see where Brian was. I hit the stop sign and stopped to look back, he was right there with me. I suppose it was arrogant of me to think that I had put a gap on him, because he is a stronger rider than I am!

It was a good ride with good friends. The hills of Barry Roubaix might not get any smaller....they might not get any easier....but...slowly.....we get a little bit faster each time we see them.

2 weeks to my first race!

Frozen Custer

I had a team meeting today so we arranged a pre-meeting ride. I loaded up Albert because I knew the Fort would be rock solid. Indeed it was, with temps in the teens as we started.

Jay, Byrne, and Lisa were there. New teammate Rafael was there along with Lisa's brother Brian. We took off down the red loop to ground that was frozen...but this is where I had some disappointment. I was disapponted by the number of ruts I was seeing. Not just ruts, but ruts that were frozen into the trail, making a very rough surface. So, I need to say this....

STAY OFF THE FUCKING TRAIL WHEN YOU SINK.

Ok, back to the ride. The pace was quick...as expected. I got dumped right away, which isn't much of a surprise. So I just rode my pace and eventually roped in Rafael. I had to stop and do a minor brake adjustment because it was driving me crazy squeaking. Once fixed I was back at it. I was riding an ok pace, but I was really not using my brakes much. I was riding a pace that I was comfortable with in the descents and with the corners, only having to shave speed once in a while. 

The reason? Panaracer Fat B Nimbles. I bought those tires for snow riding, but I found where they excel. Gravel and hard packed frozen dirt. I was able to just throw the bike into the corners and feel confident that I was getting traction. I would say this was by far the most confident I have been on the fat bike...on a trail....since I bought it 2 years ago. 

Overall, it was a good ride...about 8 miles. Way better than the basement!

N+1 is at the bike shop, just need some funds.

Keep moving!!!

Out and About

Dug The D.U.F.F. out of the garage and dusted her off. New chain, tune, and she was ready to roll. Got up Saturday and headed to Yankee Springs to meet Matt, Mike and Nate for some dry singletrack. Yes, dry....singletrack....the first weekend of March. When I pulled in the parking lot was packed. Not unexpected this time of year. We geared up and headed out.

Saturday is the direction that I don't like at Yankee. Maybe it is because I don't it good enough backwards, or maybe....it is because there is a huge HUGE climb in the middle that I dread the entire time until I am at the top of the hill. But, for training purposes I need to ride this direction to get a better feel for the course. The Yankee TT is on a Saturday this year, so....trying to learn.

We started off. The first rock garden was approaching and I sped up, attacked it...and cleared it. NICE. I was actually feeling pretty good. The trail was in amazing shape. No mud, dry, no sand. Just...Solid Yankee. The worst part....Yankee never lets up. Seems like short recovery and then a climb. Short recovery....climb. Eventually we made it to the switchback climb and I watched as the other guys rode away. Mike waited for me as I slogged up the hill. Then the next section. Ugh, the damn climb feels like it goes forever. Much better going the other direction!

We hit the top and took the awesome descent down to the pines. I love it back there, so quiet. I had a slight hangup and had to put a foot down. Pulled, and I hear a twing....which was the last hurrah for my right pedal. 4 Miles to go, on a flat pedal. ugh. Still, I was able to find a sweet spot and hold my cleat there for the most part, but climbing was a challenge. Apparently I do actually follow thru and pull on my pedal stroke.

I plodded along and finally go the guard rail descent. Fast down the ditch and I let Mike by so he could chase down the other guys. Rode solo the last 2 miles back and just enjoyed being out in the woods on a crisp morning. Felt good to be out on the mountain bike. Do I have work to do? Well, yes...but we already knew that.

Sunday I headed to Hastings for a Barry Roubaix training ride. Not wanting to add any more dirt to The D.U.F.F. I pulled Albert out of the garage. Yes, a 38 pound fat bike for a gravel ride. Sweet. Temps were about the same as the day before, but the wind was up adding a chill to the air.

Photo Courtesy of Matt Fluery via Facebook

Today I was met by a handful of teammates. Mike was there too...but he flew off the front with his buddy Nate and we never saw them again. Because we left from Hastings the 3 sisters were waiting patiently a few miles in. First sister, not too bad. Second sister, not terrible. Third sister, cleared it! I haven't made that damn climb in a few seasons so I was stoked to start the ride with a victory!

Roads were in great shape and we cruised around Barry County. Matt, David, and Dillon would put some distance on Brian and I, but we were regrouping at the top of the long climbs. After the sisters we continued to where the 22 mile course takes a left. Having never ridden the short course I didn't know what I was in for. Surprise....huge F'ing hill. Steep too. So I put my head down and spun up the hill...very slowly. We regrouped and continued on.

I knew "the wall" was coming up, but I wasn't sure where we were. Finally we hit the intersection I wasn't looking forward to and "the wall" started to creep up on us. The hill is simply intimidating. Steep. Instead of giving up, I just dropped to my low gear and spun away. Brian and I reached the top and enjoyed the downhill that followed. So, second small victory. I cleared the 3 sisters and the wall. Not sure when the last time was I cleared both in a single ride. SWEET.

Eventually we hit the home stretch. Dillon was starting to drop back some and I was still feeling pretty good. David and Matt went off the front and I eventually put some distance on Brian and Dillon. (I say some distance...because it wasn't very much). I had a solid finish and a great ride. When I think about it....it was a great weekend in Southwest Michigan to be a cyclist.

First race in less than 5 weeks!