As I flew solo to meet The Godfather at his home in Waterford, I was riddled with anticipation/enthusiasm that this would be the first ride of the year in which “the gloves were officially off”. I’ve spent all winter rolling around at social paces in the snow, ice, and bitter cold. However, today marked the beginning of camaraderie-induced seasonal warfare. Although my single-minded choice of bike was much like bringing a knife to a gunfight, I was quite confident that I have been on top of my game this off-season and have been enhancing my ability to dodge bullets.

I arrived at The Godfather’s house at 10:00am to be greeted by his famous sustained energy “Ray-McMuffin”. We sat and ate breakfast while I discussed my current mental and physical state as well as aspirations for 2010. Ray then looked at me and commented, “You know, the next two weeks are always my favorite and special time of the race season”. He went on to further explain how this is much of a calm before the storm. The foundations have been laid. The work has been done. New seasonal equipment has been ordered/obtained and it’s now time to see where the chips fall. What return are we going to get on our investment?

Some of my early season targets are Barry Roubaix, 6hrs of Warrior Creek, Cohutta 100, and ultimately the 24hr National Championships: 24hrs of Big bear.

I fully concur with Ray’s sentiments. This time of the year marks a new beginning, a clean slate. No longer should we revel on our past victories nor fixate on any previous failed expectations. This time of year marks a distinctive period of forward thinking.

What finish lines are you beginning with in mind? What goals and targets will you aim for? A wise man once said, you are only as good as your next race.

As our ride transpired and the miles/hours ticked away I was pleased to ride with many seasonal comrades who I hadn’t ridden with during the banes of the winter. Selle, Joberon, and Tom K. were all riders I hadn’t saw since November and I was pleased to draw motivation off our synergistic movements and conversations as well as their lung busting multiple gears to mash.

All in all the day ended with the unanimous gesture that in the words of O’Shea Jackson (aka Ice Cube) “Today was a good day”. I had rolled just over 125 miles in 7hrs flat and was able to gain some early season confidence that I am pleased with my form right now. So for right now, I am going to savor the next two weeks.

The race was super fun. 33 guys lined up on the line for the Pro class with some strong competition. I made my way through the pack on the first lap and got into a nice rhythm on the two climbs on the course. The downhills were smooth and fast for some good recovery. Somehow my legs felt decent after a hard week and I managed a 12th place finish. No mechanicals and no problems made for a fun and not too painful first race of the season. Can’t wait for the next one!

Recently, American Cycle and Fitness decided to exploit my random talents and put together some entertainment for Travis Ott and the rest of the gang from Fisher Bikes/Trek.

Below are some of the highlights of the shenanigans that ensued…enjoy. Special props goes out to anyone who can guess the origin of the soundtrack.

We are also privileged to have one of the best race organizers around in a guy named Kenny Palmer. Kenny has done a really killer job putting together this series and past races. Sundays race was no exception except this time Mother Nature called in her debt and blessed us with really spectacular weather. 60 something and sunny. The trails were in suprisingly good conditions with the exception of a few sticky spots.

As the “equalizer” format sending racers off a few at a time until it was literally just myself and kenney lined up waiting for the clock to tick down so we could go. As it finally did we hid the gas hard. Kenny hung on for about a half a lap before I could shake him, I was pretty pleased given that its his trail, he built it and rides it regularly whereas this was my first time on clean dry singletrack in far too long. Pushing through some kind of sinis infection or cold or something I was able to make up time on everybody that had started before me, catching everybody and putting a little time on most. My buddy Dave T looked really good on his new Superfly 100 and as I caught him he hung on pretty well. Everybody really enjoyed the course, especially the berms and banked corners:

Coming in only a few second off of first place I knew that I had done well. My legs and stomach told me otherwise, I hadnt felt as good as usual, or as good as I knew I could. Still second meant that I would have gotten a very decisive first in any other format. Still it was even cooler to see the podium: all fishers. A 1×9 Rig, my Superfly SS, and Dave T’s Superfly 100. Then there was the series podium, also ALL Fishers! Hifi 29er, Rig, and Superfly…cool.

Having only done two of the three races I wasnt in the running for the series but all the same it was a great series, a good time was had by all. If you get a chance swing by any of the Bedford VA parks and check out their slick singletrack, you’ll be impressed.

Out to enjoy the continuing good weather…its supposed to rain again soon.

JUST WANNA RIDE, GET ON MY BIKE & RIDE

Well, with the MTB Race Season getting ever closer, round 3 of the Soggy Bottom’s was going to be a good gauge of my fitness and race level. With nearly all the snow cleared from under foot, I have been trying to get some decent training in and was keen to get out and race. Travelling to the race was slightly more welcoming than the usual 7am start and three and a half hour drive, as we incorporated the race in with a week’s holiday in Bude. So the race morning was more chilled, and we left about 9:30am. This race was also going to be my first outing on my new stunning bike!! The Gary Fisher Super fly 100 Full Sussed 29er!! Before the race day I had decided to put a mud tyre on the front and an all-rounder on the back. In hindsight I wish I had put muds on all round!! Soggy Bottom living up to its name!!

On arriving at the event, the morning race was about finishing, and it sure looked like there was a fair bit of mud out there. I soon got myself sorted out, and headed out for a practice lap. Heading out along the first stretch, I could see in front what was coming, the river crossing!! B****y freezing I thought, so I decided to Jibb out on the practice lap, as I felt  it was a bit early to be getting my feet wet!! I started up the first climb to the farm, which was very muddy but rideable. But then just before reaching the farm, it was time for a bit of cross action!! After the farm it was on to the muddy single-track, which is usually nice and fairly fast, but today it was a hard old slog.

Then came the first descent, which was a bit tricky in places with all the mud and just before the second river crossing was a great little section which you kind of just had to let the bike take you through!!

After the river it was UP the cottage return which was a bloody killer. Getting traction was a joke, but once you reached the top, you were rewarded by a small section of fire road which was actually quite a relief!!(I don’t usually like fire road!!) Then a final short decent back to the start.

It was now about 12:30 and not long to the start.

After the second round of the soggy’s where I was a little delayed in getting to the start and ended up being a little way back from where I would have liked. I headed to the start in plenty of time, and enough time to get numb feet too!! I went hard off the start and managed to take the lead on the first straight. The river crossing didn’t cause any problems for me, and I decided to go for it and see if I could get away. On reaching the top of the climb I had managed to get a gap of about 30 meters.

After the first decent I reached the river crossing and went for it and I literally did!! Head over pedals!! But quickly got up and pushed on. Getting tot the cottage return climb I started to catch up with some traffic and on the climb it was just a matter of sitting back and trying to get traction. By the time I had reached the mid way dip, my legs were on fire. The second half of the cottage return climb was a bit better but certainly no doddle.

At the top I had a quick look and couldn’t see anyone. I didn’t go too mad on the decent as the conditions were fairly slippery. On the start of the second lap I had lost sight of my competitors, lap 3 went ok except for going on over the bars on the second river crossing and twisting my bars slightly!! That wasn’t part of my plan I can tell you!!

At the start of lap 4, my wife gave me a bit of a scare, when she shouted, ‘Jay’s catching you!! I continued on, just keeping an eye on who was behind, and thankfully Donna hadn’t got her glasses on and it was Maddie!! Not Jay who was behind!!

I finished first with a good gap, which I was really chuffed with, but to be fair to Jay who finished second, he did well to get around at all with summer tyres!!(I know you like a challenge Jay, but those tyres where more than a challenge)

Overall I was pleased with how things are going for me, and I just hope it continues in this way! I felt fairly good, with still a little spare left in the tank.

Just over a month now to try and do some more training before the first BMBS Round.

Finally I have to mention my new bike, Impressive or what!! It just feels so fast, which is awesome.

A big thank you to my support crew Hali-Rae, Ryley and Donna for cheering me/shouting at me and keeping tabs for me!!

Good job once again to Martyn and Co, but next round, can we go down cottage return and not UP!!!

Thanks to my sponsors

Gary Fisher

Exposure

Phil Morris

Riding for XCracer.com29ers

Thanks to Joolze Dymond for the great Pic.

www.TNCupMTB.com

The first race is The Ocho 8 Hour Race on April 17th at Panther Creek State Park, in Morristown, TN.

Next up is the H8R 8 Hour Race on June 5th at Haw Ridge, near Knoxville, TN.

The final race in the fall has not been announced yet, so stay tuned for that one.

We’ve got everything you want in an endurance race… The best courses, cheap entry fees, great swag including t-shirt, pint glass, waterbottle, and more at every race, dinner and beer included as well!

Infinit Nutrition has also stepped up and is providing one of their custom blends for racers during the events.

Click over to the website for more info and come check out some of the best races in the southeast…

I think the 29er heightens this feeling with its easy flowing smooth ride. I have been riding long enough that I don’t really need to pay much attention to where I am going or what the terrain looks like (race pace is a different story). I can just “sit back” and go. I put my legs, arms, and brain on autopilot and let the bike take care of the rest. Even the rock gardens just float by on days like this.

I could have ridden all day! I would have suffered afterward (muscles, family, work), but I would never have noticed while I was out there.

Cheers, I hope the same blue sky comes your way soon.