By Mark | 4/30/08 | 12:34 PM
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At this point, the plan was to be talking about road trips and bike racing on big wheels. It’s seems though that the common theme here is a long winter and wet spring that just won’t quit. This past weekend we were slated to head south to Topeka where the HMBCS boys were to be putting on a brilliant little event known as the Crocodile Rock. The higher ups at Midwest Cycling were kind enough to give us sprinter van usage and come Sunday morning we were loaded up and making the pick-up rounds. That was until Steve comes out in his Pajamas. “Race is cancelled, it poured last night from nine until one.” Race number 2, canned. April is, literally, a wash.
So what are you to do? A third of an inch of rain had fallen in Omaha too, maybe the trails are dry enough. We held out until late afternoon and sure enough, perfectly tacky trails. Time to fly.
I wouldn’t have thought my first race would be taking place in May. Unfortunately again, the rains seem to be rolling in on Thusday’s and Friday’s. Third times a charm, right?
By James | 4/29/08 | 7:09 PM
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I was finally able to get out on the local trails after my week long illness subsided. The dry sections were fast but coming up on this 
smashed all of my aspirations to get a good ride in. I had ridden at Crystal Ridge the day prior where the high trails are notoriously hard packed and fast but even those sections were greasy. I decided to ride the river anyway after turning down an offer to ride mountain bikes on the road. Sounded like a lot of fun.. I avoided the river infected sections by climbing out of the corridor and taking side streets to other trail entrances which proved to be enough of a fun day on its own. First WORS race Sunday, race report to follow..
By Richard | 4/29/08 | 5:51 PM
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Hey everybody! Sorry to just get started with the 29er crew! Been really busy since moving one of my shops into a much larger location and have been just trying to play catch-up.
Racing so far this year hasn’t been too busy yet! I’ve raced in one 6hr race so far and after a flat in the first lap and playing catch-up for the next five laps finally caught back up to win the race with six 10 mile laps finished in just under 6hrs. It was a miserable day. It snowed 3-4 inches on the course the previous day and averaged 38 degrees for the day. The snow just enough to turn to very cold water and mud on the trail. I changed shoes after the 4th lap although I couldn’t really even feel my feet. My 2nd pair of shoes gave me some relief for a few miles but I ended the race with some very COLD FEET! It hurt to walk! But thankfully the pain begins to subside with the end of a race especially with a first place finish!
By Phil | 4/29/08 | 4:03 PM
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Picture taken by Joolze Dymond!
Enduro 6 2008 Well having never entered Enduro 6, I thought I might as well give it a go as I wasn’t racing else where and I was off on leave. Although I was familiar with the trails at Catton Park as I competed in the wettest race ever (SITS 2006!!!) This was the longest race I’ve done solo for quite sometime, so before starting I was a little apprehensive of my endurance abilities!! Especially, bearing in the predicted forecast for Sunday, and my memories of a wet Catton Park back in 2006! Just for good measure to have a full weekend of racing, I decided to have a stab at the night time trial as well. Early Saturday we set off and about 4 hours later, having taken a few too many wrong turnings and exits we arrived at Catton Park. We set up camp and I headed out for a practice lap at 7. The time trial started at 8.30ish, when it was getting a little darker. The course was a mixture of open fields, a couple of short sharp climbs and a lot of technical singletrack through the woods. (And lots and lots of wild blue bells!!) After my warm up I waited in the holding area to be called up to the starting line. I was fourth off and riders were set off at 30 second intervals. More »
By Travis | 4/29/08 | 5:20 AM
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With less time to ride lately due to the collection of greenbacks at work I’ve hade little to write about. This past weekend however I got the chance to ride with a group of local riders which was made up of 5 Superflys and 90% 29″ wheels! I also got a little to comfortable and managed to “slide” down a small descent earning myself a greenback from the brush!
stork
By Mitch | 4/28/08 | 8:02 PM
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Managed another decent day bike racing. With bad weather threatening all weekend on a pretty rocky course, we definitely dodged the bullet when it ended up being sunny and 75 at the start line! The course was one big 27 mile loop full of some nice rock ledges, gardens and plenty of elevation change (for a flatlander!). The 29er was definately the bike to be on. As a matter of fact, out of the top 5 in the Pro Open category, there were 3 29ers. I am glad to have my superfly for courses like this. You can bomb up and off the rock ledges without thinking twice. Couple that with 25 psi and you have a rippin’ fast ride with no braking needed.
I made a good start, hitting the single track in 4th, eventually moving up to third after less than a mile in. After getting gapped off on one of the climbs when Bryan Fawley (TX tough) attacked, I settle into my own rhythm eventually getting into a group somewhat of Billy Kurtz (Austin Bikes) and Scott Henry (Trek/VW regional). I had a moment on the bike where I wasn’t even focused on the trail and more focused on who I was ridding with. I was pretty stoked to be up there with guys that I have Idolized for a while. Both Scott and Billy are stand-up, super nice guys that have had their fair share of national fame and also raced against (and beaten) some of the local pro’s like Jason Sager and Will Black. So to be in that kind of company kind of gave me a, "holy crap" moment.
About 4-5 miles from the finish, Billy put in a deep effort and immediately stomped me and Scott into the ground. I was the first to go and then Scott. It was ugly, I was crawling my way to the finish line after detonation! Still managed a podium (HAHAHA only because of a five spot podium) with a fourth place. More importantly with one week until my most important spring race Double Lake Houston’s local spring mountain bike round, I think I have the legs to win which is what I want.
Until Next Weekend - Mitch
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By Bruno | 4/28/08 | 6:16 PM
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I have been riding on the road for the last month because of all the snow we had this winter. We hitted a record this year….more than 500 cm of snow in Quebec city. That’s why I am still waiting to hit the trails. Anyway, next weekend, my season begins with a regional race in Bromont, located in south of the province where it is warmer and at least no more snow in the woods in that area.
I did a really big workout this weekend to prepare myself and see where my fitness is. Not so bad finally. So this first race will be good to see some friends, have fun and see where I am after this winter of preparation. It was not easy as the years before with our first baby but I tried to put quality vs quantity.
So, I am very happy to ride this year my first 29” bike. Next friday, I will hit the trails on my Superfly and with a big smile!!!
By Jason | 4/28/08 | 9:39 AM
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Kicking the local racing scene off with an age group podium at the Ramble Around Prattsburg.
The race course was a delicious 50 km dose of back roads, farm field crossings, muddy washed out descents, brutal climbs and a few paver sections. Cross bikes were the weapon of the day, but the 29er was definitely validated as they took 3 top 10 placings, and the top mt. bike spots.
Huge props to Pedaling Productions, for putting on one of the most well run and organized events I’ve ever been to. Every single detail was worked out and everyone had a great day. Congrats!!
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By Brandon | 4/27/08 | 10:25 PM
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I’m getting used to this whole 29er thing and I am loving it more and more by the day. I have spent the past two weekends racing with favorable results. We headed up to Tiger Rag in South Carolina last weekend were I got 3rd in the Pro/Semi Pro/Expert category and I got to meet Mike from NC who by not fault of his own took a wrong turn in his race, but still finished strong. Gotta hate that yellow tape, or should I say lack thereof. Hoped to carry the good fortune over to this weekend in Ft. Yargo, GA and the 3rd race of SERC series. The pre-ride seemed to be out the window as showers hit late last night and the course went from an all out dust bowl to a tad bit slippery. Not feeling like changing tires hours before the race I decided to roll on the Dry X’s, which wasn’t a bad decision for the first lap and a half thanks to the beginner wave for tacking up the trail a little. But the rain began again halfway through the 2nd lap and the ice skating began. I Decided to take it slower in the rooty more technical sections and hammer it in the flats and on the climbs. The plan seemed to work as I kept the rubber side down and finished 3rd in the Expert 19-29. Man I love the Superfly and those big ol’ wheels.
By Jesse | 4/27/08 | 8:00 PM
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The bolts are torqued, saddle height set, and tyres tweaked. The maiden voyage of the super-fly single speed set out this Sunday morning as the darkness and I ramped up the hot laps at the dirt park. The main objective was to rid our plastique frames of any bugs before race day this weekend in TN. The monocoque structure of the sf leaves you breathless as flex no longer becomes an issue. Complete climbing control is enforced by the bontrager switchblade fork and the plush descent provided by 25psi of dry x tread. Good times and smiles were the only thing coming out of our shake down ride as we avoided mud holes and the occasional skunk spray. Ultimately, the wonder bike left us without excuses as we plateaued into a euphoric pedaling bliss. Happy trails…
At this point, the plan was to be talking about road trips and bike racing on big wheels. It’s seems though that the common theme here is a long winter and wet spring that just won’t quit. This past weekend we were slated to head south to Topeka where the HMBCS boys were to be putting on a brilliant little event known as the Crocodile Rock. The higher ups at Midwest Cycling were kind enough to give us sprinter van usage and come Sunday morning we were loaded up and making the pick-up rounds. That was until Steve comes out in his Pajamas. “Race is cancelled, it poured last night from nine until one.” Race number 2, canned. April is, literally, a wash.
