I headed down to Raystown to do a Farewell ride for my friend Ken who is moving to San Diego. My friend Kim headed down with me as she had ridden the trails a week before and was stoked to hit them again. We got to the parking lot a little late but there was no KEN. More people rolled in, still no KEN. Fast guys who would max my heart rate show up - FORGET KEN, let's go before they get ready!
Our group was great. Good skills, not too much waiting, fun to ride with. We had an awesome ride - one of the best at Raystown yet. All the fun stuff. We got back to the parking lot and waited for everyone to get back. Soon the fast guys returned with Ken! He HAD made it after all! Poor Leah had endo'd and was sporting two bloody knees and some bruises (mostly ego).
We cleaned up a bit and headed down to boxer's for some great recovery beverages and a spicy bean burger- YUM! The food and company were awesome - a great time. Too bad I didn't get to ride with Ken but sharing a great evening with him was enough. He'll be missed!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Fat Tire Challenge
Ouch! My legs hurt, my back hurt for a bit. I thought I was lost. Blew through a couple arrows. Got yelled after blowing by some marshalls. It was muddy. It's mtn bike racing!!! If we wouldn't have had epic rains the day before this would have been an awesome course. As it was it was very fun and challenging. I just didn't have it.
But it was awesome to go up with Pete, plus we met up with JL, WV, and the Rich's. I rode the first part with the Highland Hammer but my back forced me to back off near the top of the 2 mile climb. After recovering my legs started to hurt but I hit some sweet singletrack to get my mind straight. I had missed the riders meeting and didn't realize the experts were doing a second lap and there wasn't a course marshall to be seen. So I kept riding sort of tenuously until I found someone who assured me I was good. I had no food with me so when I got to the water station I ate a few cookies and the last 5 miles were a lot better.
WV got lost but still finished first. Peter got 4th SS. JL flatted out while leading the overall. Straub got 3rd overall. Richie was 4th but 1st in our age. I was 3rd in our age so now I'm trying to get a 'cute' dog pic of Ebby wearing my medal!
But it was awesome to go up with Pete, plus we met up with JL, WV, and the Rich's. I rode the first part with the Highland Hammer but my back forced me to back off near the top of the 2 mile climb. After recovering my legs started to hurt but I hit some sweet singletrack to get my mind straight. I had missed the riders meeting and didn't realize the experts were doing a second lap and there wasn't a course marshall to be seen. So I kept riding sort of tenuously until I found someone who assured me I was good. I had no food with me so when I got to the water station I ate a few cookies and the last 5 miles were a lot better.
WV got lost but still finished first. Peter got 4th SS. JL flatted out while leading the overall. Straub got 3rd overall. Richie was 4th but 1st in our age. I was 3rd in our age so now I'm trying to get a 'cute' dog pic of Ebby wearing my medal!
Stoopid 50
I hit the pre-ride a little late (8:30am) but I figured I had lots of time to fix anything along the way. I removed a sign left over from the Rothrock Challenge running race, added a few arrows on the extension, then tried to fix a turn near the log landing. Going up thickhead I met Chris in the vehicle coming down doing some last minute marking. After a quick chat, I continued within a few minutes I heard someone, something behind me! Eatough! He was in the midst of an attack and had about 20 seconds. I followed him then Harlin and Schalk up to 'Wall' . There race pace efforts showed as they slowed considerably on the steeps. A singlespeeder passed me and got off to walk the wall then my friend Martin. So I jumped in with him until near the top where I decide to try to clean up a fall that was partially blocking the road.
I went over to the Detweiler intersection and hung there with Eric Scott and cheered everyone as they went by. After a while I was bored and continued to the aide station. I worked their the rest of the day then 'post rode' the course with the last rider and Kberg. It was fun to bomb down detweiler as I had to 'run' it a few days before. We met up with Greg Harris who decided he would sweep with Kev so I skipped Gettis and went back via bear meadows, added in Lonberger and hit the finish line to see a few people cross. Misty was there so we went back to Tussey together and I got to see the awards and see friends. A hard day of work, but well worth it. Much easier to ride in it I think!
Congrats to everyone who finished. I thought the course was much more challenging than the original. I'd kind of like them to keep it that way.
I went over to the Detweiler intersection and hung there with Eric Scott and cheered everyone as they went by. After a while I was bored and continued to the aide station. I worked their the rest of the day then 'post rode' the course with the last rider and Kberg. It was fun to bomb down detweiler as I had to 'run' it a few days before. We met up with Greg Harris who decided he would sweep with Kev so I skipped Gettis and went back via bear meadows, added in Lonberger and hit the finish line to see a few people cross. Misty was there so we went back to Tussey together and I got to see the awards and see friends. A hard day of work, but well worth it. Much easier to ride in it I think!
Congrats to everyone who finished. I thought the course was much more challenging than the original. I'd kind of like them to keep it that way.
I'm with Stoopid - saturday
A little hungover from celebrating (Pens win!) I headed out to Coopers to finish trail work on the course. I took out a deadfall and moved a lot of crap off the trails. Then I headed over to Sand Hole. We haven't ridden this trail since Deer Tick made it obsolete. So it needed lots of love. I widened it with the clippers, cursing myself for killing so many baby oaks! Then I brushed the lower part with the gas trimmer. It was kind of fun actually as I tried to control the width to add atmosphere (closeness) at certain spots.
Finished I headed back to Tussey for a short ride. I met up with a guy I met from the Griz and we chatted along with his buddy. Hit shingletown a little to stretch legs. Chris called and needed me to pre-ride the first section so the next morning I would be riding early - ugh!
Finished I headed back to Tussey for a short ride. I met up with a guy I met from the Griz and we chatted along with his buddy. Hit shingletown a little to stretch legs. Chris called and needed me to pre-ride the first section so the next morning I would be riding early - ugh!
Pens win Stanley Cup
SCRATCH THEIR NAMES IN THAT FABLED CUP, LORD STANLEY!
What a year! What a series! What a final! Does it get any better than Game 7 of a Stanley Cup. All the marbles as Mike Lange said. Wow! I'll post my favorite pics here. There's one of the guys on the bench looking at the clock and the last action and jumping over the boards to celebrate. 20 yr old Jordan Staal with the Cup raised screaming in primal joy. Owner Mario Lemeiux looking at the celebration, his eyes revealing the dream had come true. So many great moments! I can't go through them all. Malkin was possessed at times, Scuderi goal tending, the flower so clutch, Crosby, Talbot, Kennedy, Staal short handed. It was a great run. I have so much more time now that I don't read 'Empty Netters' religiously. If you want to know why the Pens are a 1st class organization, check out the text Mario sent the team after they lost Game 5 BADLY. He sent another before game 7. 'Play without fear and you will succeed. See U at Center Ice' words to live by.
What a year! What a series! What a final! Does it get any better than Game 7 of a Stanley Cup. All the marbles as Mike Lange said. Wow! I'll post my favorite pics here. There's one of the guys on the bench looking at the clock and the last action and jumping over the boards to celebrate. 20 yr old Jordan Staal with the Cup raised screaming in primal joy. Owner Mario Lemeiux looking at the celebration, his eyes revealing the dream had come true. So many great moments! I can't go through them all. Malkin was possessed at times, Scuderi goal tending, the flower so clutch, Crosby, Talbot, Kennedy, Staal short handed. It was a great run. I have so much more time now that I don't read 'Empty Netters' religiously. If you want to know why the Pens are a 1st class organization, check out the text Mario sent the team after they lost Game 5 BADLY. He sent another before game 7. 'Play without fear and you will succeed. See U at Center Ice' words to live by.
I'm with Stoopid - Friday
Wow! Another Stoopid 50! This year I was again a 'lackey' for Chris Scott. Friday I marked most of the Cooper's Gap area. We had two way traffic on some on the course so this was a little more difficult that it seems. I also need to clear Detweiler of deadfall so I decided I would mark the 2 way intersection at the top of the trail also. So I had a chainsaw and course markers instead of bike tools when I flatted half way up. I decided to continue, jogging and speed hiking between deadfalls and finally got the top marked. Then it was a long run down until I got back to the bike. I decided my sidewall probably warranted a new tire anyway and gently rode the easy sections on rim only.
I made it back to the car about 8:30pm - just in time to tune in to Game 7 of the Stanley cup. I had phoned ahead to Pontzer for shower use so I stopped in at Boalsburg. He had the game on, cold beer, and even dinner. He totally hooked me up after an exhausting day. We watched my Pens win the Stanley Cup then went out on the town to celebrate!
I made it back to the car about 8:30pm - just in time to tune in to Game 7 of the Stanley cup. I had phoned ahead to Pontzer for shower use so I stopped in at Boalsburg. He had the game on, cold beer, and even dinner. He totally hooked me up after an exhausting day. We watched my Pens win the Stanley Cup then went out on the town to celebrate!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tour de Tykes
Sunday Wee Vick and I were set to race Tour de Tykes in Danville. Due to a change of plans the richie's (straub and o'neil) were home and decided to come along. This was fantastic for me as Rich would drive letting me off the hook. I was so tired I slept most of the way there.
We knew the course had lots of climbing but I was surprised how much. I got some bad beta and attacked at the top of the 1st climb. I *thought* there was a downhill to recover, but it was a gradual singletrack climb instead so I blew up on it and lost all my efforts then followed everyone on the downhill. There were few places to pass - most was tight singletrack. So it was fun and I soon started using my front deraileur to correspond to the abrupt elevation changes.
I finished pretty strong and wasn't that far off the podium which was good b/c I was already beat from the previous couple days. Wee Vick aka The Highland Hammer placed second. Rich O'neil took 3rd and Strauber was in the mix for the Overall which was really something as the course favored 100 lb riders with its steep, long climbs.
Afterwards we hit a rope swing and swam in the river. A great post ride cool down. I love swimming after rides - sweet day!
We knew the course had lots of climbing but I was surprised how much. I got some bad beta and attacked at the top of the 1st climb. I *thought* there was a downhill to recover, but it was a gradual singletrack climb instead so I blew up on it and lost all my efforts then followed everyone on the downhill. There were few places to pass - most was tight singletrack. So it was fun and I soon started using my front deraileur to correspond to the abrupt elevation changes.
I finished pretty strong and wasn't that far off the podium which was good b/c I was already beat from the previous couple days. Wee Vick aka The Highland Hammer placed second. Rich O'neil took 3rd and Strauber was in the mix for the Overall which was really something as the course favored 100 lb riders with its steep, long climbs.
Afterwards we hit a rope swing and swam in the river. A great post ride cool down. I love swimming after rides - sweet day!
Griz Spring 09
Headed up to Parker Dam last friday to meet the Griz group for the Saturday part of the ride. I had ridden Rockton but never Quehanna and was looking forward to some *strange*. I arrived Friday night locals Yoda and K-berg were already there as was the Griz himself, Big Dawg, Toni, Karl, Mucker, Huber and some of the NE boys including the elusive Dutch EAGLE! Later Joe Wychock and Pontzer showed to round out our group. We did the traditional beer drinking, fire making, shit talking, and headed off to bed before midnight. Little did I know that they would wake me at 6:30am - that was not a pleasant experience! The HO needs his beauty sleep, Sat especially. We got to the trailhead about 10:30 and headed out. After 40 yds of rail trail we hit the singletrack - we wouldn't leave it for 20+ miles! These are some seriously sweet trails. Hard to describe - the terrain kind of reminded me of out west without the mtns. The trails meandered and took their time, you kind of had to savor them. Very different, very cool. Anyways we ripped off the first 10 miles then some of us got lost, we hit some hike a bike stuff due to slick rocks. By the time we hit Jeff's Vista I was out of water. I then helped Mucker with a tire issue and all I could think about was beer by the end of the ride. I had no need for an additional 10 mile loop even though Jay de Hey showed at the trailhead. So we headed back to camp for food, beer, and frisbee! I hadn't thrown one in years - need to put one in the car for the summer. The rest of guys came back from the short loop and few us went to take an dusk dip in Parker Lake(?). It was actually pretty good temp-wise. But the bath house had super hot showers which ended the day quite nicely. I drove home regretting I couldn't stay over for more fun and hijinx. Great to see everyone and especially Griz. Gonna have to take him up on the Colorado offer sometime.
pic later
pic later
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