tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91352113119818532082024-02-06T21:04:18.469-05:00Team RowMan+This is how we roll.Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-23517444683584180942010-02-04T21:58:00.003-05:002010-02-05T06:17:54.677-05:00New siteYARRRRRRRRRRRR, everyone come on over and check out the new team blog spot. We have a new sponsor this year along with new team members. Come check it out at <a href="http://www.motownvelo.blogspot.com/">motownvelo.blogspot.com</a>ARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489382972854413750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-64315968079846061382009-12-02T21:34:00.003-05:002009-12-02T21:41:42.962-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqecDjH70SFE3NCxgDommikkspeBK92KP3GV9b4kmcHxe8-yTPT8fSIwmxhypuhRVoRwlLqxqJXvDic8b6ufC9VPCgnIyxhDnV4zcsluH0oAW4VONopaVp3zykqcoBdZOIwNpoP7k9DhL/s1600-h/IMG00097.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410834406165508162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqecDjH70SFE3NCxgDommikkspeBK92KP3GV9b4kmcHxe8-yTPT8fSIwmxhypuhRVoRwlLqxqJXvDic8b6ufC9VPCgnIyxhDnV4zcsluH0oAW4VONopaVp3zykqcoBdZOIwNpoP7k9DhL/s320/IMG00097.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyXT2w2psXRBi-XyAbXwH9fipTLIg9PDEGrVy3rj3dDLSRva-yd3Az1OQ_VAVF3c0gEyWs-iETs9FIhm5-bahFbK4w3MJKCm2OUOtvPgXtYuXrNst3FeKVnyLPXWLMS39S4haUsqWsul1/s1600-h/IMG00098.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Please welcome our newest team member. </div><div> </div><div>Nicolas Zane Chapman<br /></div><div>He arrived Nov. 29, 2009 at 6:21pm. He is healthy and happy and doing great. I think he'll be ready for a long training ride by this Sunday.<br /></div><br /><div>Look for him to be cheering on the team this spring.</div></div>Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-18579752626383252912009-12-02T16:44:00.006-05:002009-12-02T17:18:27.434-05:00Bruceton CX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichL8FSAB8Lmk3NxgeShzt7rfK7F09I5Tl4nXTA1Fn7v2CyMSQQwHmV8GMYB2glaNVJM56MZ7EuiAKv3CUNqd9vzKyMBtDLL-fA8xkUmxTKrRKx-84Q0Tv41o1rRVu5H2_fDppDGZPSr4/s1600-h/parts+part+2+075.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichL8FSAB8Lmk3NxgeShzt7rfK7F09I5Tl4nXTA1Fn7v2CyMSQQwHmV8GMYB2glaNVJM56MZ7EuiAKv3CUNqd9vzKyMBtDLL-fA8xkUmxTKrRKx-84Q0Tv41o1rRVu5H2_fDppDGZPSr4/s320/parts+part+2+075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410766222695410674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1-JsHg1SJs4ClVkZZ2rTiyzoajOpu0EMORGS7Nn-E0BdjaCzbHXSJPvJtFxSjz0lUqBoR4XvPYE6nDUeh0mA_GE4EoVICYyOcQdz73gazZeVCOommQx3vv4l4WVp7PEPfeit2Qdlwpo/s1600-h/parts+part+2+073.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1-JsHg1SJs4ClVkZZ2rTiyzoajOpu0EMORGS7Nn-E0BdjaCzbHXSJPvJtFxSjz0lUqBoR4XvPYE6nDUeh0mA_GE4EoVICYyOcQdz73gazZeVCOommQx3vv4l4WVp7PEPfeit2Qdlwpo/s320/parts+part+2+073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410766217441323458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAt5NWgFcnodo54u8Y_D78n5nNMAA4lwQZfJf7j_yb1UqwdJ4X97pmhVZJ4d9nwK121TsaONDpwc00OLku0o0ndwUNFQJBNNOtuiUbQdD_ioyHYUN60u7O6_9sM8-Kht1EKP6h9bf5ls/s1600-h/parts+part+2+039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAt5NWgFcnodo54u8Y_D78n5nNMAA4lwQZfJf7j_yb1UqwdJ4X97pmhVZJ4d9nwK121TsaONDpwc00OLku0o0ndwUNFQJBNNOtuiUbQdD_ioyHYUN60u7O6_9sM8-Kht1EKP6h9bf5ls/s320/parts+part+2+039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410766214489608994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKYv-NjzO8MV13cHvxNlmwxorhSH4HvUMO1Pml-vNqGX24dNVXn5tkjce3l0lrv7GrXdhbiDby_X7zhF1TMaZBNxk60xKoi7mUCczoQJFNw5wPImNcbQoM6gLGSzc746EVNlwIm6j0O8/s1600-h/parts+part+2+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKYv-NjzO8MV13cHvxNlmwxorhSH4HvUMO1Pml-vNqGX24dNVXn5tkjce3l0lrv7GrXdhbiDby_X7zhF1TMaZBNxk60xKoi7mUCczoQJFNw5wPImNcbQoM6gLGSzc746EVNlwIm6j0O8/s320/parts+part+2+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410766211952346866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6_SfruwsuhlOkvjTpWQoMIOATXp2ENxeGg94J9_N_8jtdCMGcBIxF4U7QeKZaNr-e_MU5ehGo0oY8AVcM64fUW9cRX0LchwOaB4J1iIoKZoPEV9_TLIF_kLfJFodV__bt0BPYlKAXCo/s1600-h/parts+part+2+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6_SfruwsuhlOkvjTpWQoMIOATXp2ENxeGg94J9_N_8jtdCMGcBIxF4U7QeKZaNr-e_MU5ehGo0oY8AVcM64fUW9cRX0LchwOaB4J1iIoKZoPEV9_TLIF_kLfJFodV__bt0BPYlKAXCo/s320/parts+part+2+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410766206609938306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-ckdxel0mzj5hzRIgwGaSZ9KVFNJ1upDDHfwJgOXwWEq87XnDKiQ7E09IO-1iivz2L-UT7-6VD7bzsYobiLDJ4PR-65W0Ac2lTDRwe53GApFh0ZXP0AGivKOgYip0Yo-u1W-HJaW4zU/s1600-h/PB213636.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-ckdxel0mzj5hzRIgwGaSZ9KVFNJ1upDDHfwJgOXwWEq87XnDKiQ7E09IO-1iivz2L-UT7-6VD7bzsYobiLDJ4PR-65W0Ac2lTDRwe53GApFh0ZXP0AGivKOgYip0Yo-u1W-HJaW4zU/s320/PB213636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410763993327301522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvos8QUc9bW0kqE-m8MKPfEc2HWQYOa7lbL_Op4fkkmmsHHIynLCBswKEUO70NvFoyz4CBObqLCnVIemte27gY5WlOrtuXv5RBpqp-cdkuV0SW1et1i560pdc8MyXER7OFIJkYIlTJbzI/s1600-h/PB213615.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvos8QUc9bW0kqE-m8MKPfEc2HWQYOa7lbL_Op4fkkmmsHHIynLCBswKEUO70NvFoyz4CBObqLCnVIemte27gY5WlOrtuXv5RBpqp-cdkuV0SW1et1i560pdc8MyXER7OFIJkYIlTJbzI/s320/PB213615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410763991166951522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi_vfn4RafxdAuwtvc6kFk6Z-wy4aPdo7bWRLKM2mIcq_HaWimpskVxjWm0nWbFaVh2OcXVcvizbR6GD2kuoTrthrspc5kvmxW2YANj7BNb4HtnRQQ6WQ1JvUxYeWLzBoal3skwgAwyU/s1600-h/PB213609.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi_vfn4RafxdAuwtvc6kFk6Z-wy4aPdo7bWRLKM2mIcq_HaWimpskVxjWm0nWbFaVh2OcXVcvizbR6GD2kuoTrthrspc5kvmxW2YANj7BNb4HtnRQQ6WQ1JvUxYeWLzBoal3skwgAwyU/s320/PB213609.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410763980641555874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRp12OATWtVAGcHHxE-RgaNYMyfj5JYN9_r_WCYyiU98mDeQjwl2H1epMuVQ1It16ha3tfaaCDVD52uqc8cHMg0bZ6ypTlPCg2RmO91b9g82GFBkCsMYJOWjz1o4qg_B5gRj6Fnp0F1U/s1600-h/PB213610.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRp12OATWtVAGcHHxE-RgaNYMyfj5JYN9_r_WCYyiU98mDeQjwl2H1epMuVQ1It16ha3tfaaCDVD52uqc8cHMg0bZ6ypTlPCg2RmO91b9g82GFBkCsMYJOWjz1o4qg_B5gRj6Fnp0F1U/s320/PB213610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410763974830017026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIotOtD-K69nJg23e7bmg5tzvjMK4DzTFyET4uivuOUhRqP65PVeBYKg4YCRv3so1b-MSju7FlujLsl0EbzLO9_HB9dIDjeSzkFJfFpHIqy5lqbfqpXV9dTQl4G9siCpAW6IKTsj3QoQ/s1600-h/PB213603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIotOtD-K69nJg23e7bmg5tzvjMK4DzTFyET4uivuOUhRqP65PVeBYKg4YCRv3so1b-MSju7FlujLsl0EbzLO9_HB9dIDjeSzkFJfFpHIqy5lqbfqpXV9dTQl4G9siCpAW6IKTsj3QoQ/s320/PB213603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410760565851565458" border="0" /></a>Well fans sorry for the hold up with the updates, but I am here at last. So a short while back it was the Bruceton CX race and the series blowout. A good field of riders where there to do thier damage. The weather was a bit nip, but overall LOVELY. Don Parks and JR did a great job. So, onto the report. The race started with a slight uphill into the course. Almost like always Johnny Martin got the hole shot. Followed by myself and Montana Miller. I took the lead about halfway into lap one with Montana on my tail. We tried our best to gap the other for a few hot laps trading places. Then I felt the burn of a smaller gear on the long downward sections. Young Montana got the best of me. Good job man. So, I got second and that was good enough for the overall WEEEEEEEEEEE!!! Keep Riding and wait for the news from Josh.ARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489382972854413750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-14493338128327644552009-11-06T22:09:00.003-05:002009-11-06T22:46:44.537-05:00October UpdateWelcome to the off season. For the last month or so the team has been living up the off season. I call it the off season cause most of us can't do the cross season. That's because the races are on Sat. and people work on Saturdays. Bummer for us, lucky for the other racers.<br /><br /><div><div>So, what's been going on during the last month..............Big J and I did the annual trip to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Slatyfork</span> in mid October. The first day was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">bitch'n</span>............5 hours of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ride'n</span> the Fork. Doesn't get any better. The other two days the weather got a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> nasty and motivation dwindled and FYI don't take Turkey Point trail, not a fun trail. But one day <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ride'n</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Slatyfork</span> is better than no days of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Slatyfork</span>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRODB8CExasTr8vZAhO-49MauG8RxQVH0_5_IJbF1t2pIEnB01lAxLOENy5Nu06yIGYTgXhUplxm1teOVtFXyC5OdR-bCsX5TKtRy6_DqsrtEWBZaYDaDj-P9UFkBjDh3jvRhXrBUvok5g/s1600-h/IMG_2382.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401202194169503730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRODB8CExasTr8vZAhO-49MauG8RxQVH0_5_IJbF1t2pIEnB01lAxLOENy5Nu06yIGYTgXhUplxm1teOVtFXyC5OdR-bCsX5TKtRy6_DqsrtEWBZaYDaDj-P9UFkBjDh3jvRhXrBUvok5g/s320/IMG_2382.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKhXasdCy5GebC3frXgSV7mzVr1SNSQkaKquzAdh5XD-Kl8AtktcjVw1sT0Icxo-aYGqoeFTfOxB0Y8q_TyxcIi_n7k-UaDWHbr7iHHBrwMOS8LSp4zLnm6VTs3lz10ppqcooFuFqPVq1/s1600-h/IMG_2385.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401202197242701730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKhXasdCy5GebC3frXgSV7mzVr1SNSQkaKquzAdh5XD-Kl8AtktcjVw1sT0Icxo-aYGqoeFTfOxB0Y8q_TyxcIi_n7k-UaDWHbr7iHHBrwMOS8LSp4zLnm6VTs3lz10ppqcooFuFqPVq1/s320/IMG_2385.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Steve raced the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Marrilla</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">CX</span>, SS race and brought home a win.........Good work man. Looks like he missed the sloppy stuff.<br /></div><div>We're working on adding to the current team. As of now we are J. and S. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rowand</span>, Tim W., Sean Z. and myself. We're considering changing the team name, so anyone have any ideas? We're not to creative so it's not so easy for us.<br /></div><div>We are seeking sponsorship for the 2010 season, so anyone out there wanting to support some local, devoted and motivated cyclists let us know your interested. Keep in mind we do have the State Champ., <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span> Series Champ., 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span> series, 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span>, 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span> (sport) series.<br /></div><div>Other than that the Thursday <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Night'r</span> continues every week along with long, slow Sunday rides. Come out and join us. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tis</span> the season for long, slow rides. </div></div>Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-68724387286643940882009-11-04T16:59:00.003-05:002009-11-04T17:18:41.321-05:00Marilla CX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EyaYOIwxaqiU0tsW5Gk1Kf5XgP5V2PYVCKCYwPMDYfeb3LPlhubrrpEhjaQwTscOfXXZ_gZL3uOnQrTNzAe_T0dJT3jLLtjdEtnk9KeKghVP-QJhbyNsi5pPV8Ghu31FmKy1gPF4cNw/s1600-h/PA313462.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EyaYOIwxaqiU0tsW5Gk1Kf5XgP5V2PYVCKCYwPMDYfeb3LPlhubrrpEhjaQwTscOfXXZ_gZL3uOnQrTNzAe_T0dJT3jLLtjdEtnk9KeKghVP-QJhbyNsi5pPV8Ghu31FmKy1gPF4cNw/s320/PA313462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400374875247950658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrtg5WzIa11Jf1_RU63eXF_3FtHKe5XgPOY6w-dNrHEmEuZfzu7ErzLuhEOoUxzfGKmEtsIp9w2PDIgze45hJplZ0iAatTDxZApe9H1iEj6pvwlir1-8R8t05-S1FaQyhdNsZXsJfsN8/s1600-h/PA313464.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrtg5WzIa11Jf1_RU63eXF_3FtHKe5XgPOY6w-dNrHEmEuZfzu7ErzLuhEOoUxzfGKmEtsIp9w2PDIgze45hJplZ0iAatTDxZApe9H1iEj6pvwlir1-8R8t05-S1FaQyhdNsZXsJfsN8/s320/PA313464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400374882668734642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmqB5O1ukvsWWa4TraaEWfb5olTjkCYdbObMTL4mbGzqgd_Kzz_F9XDDVwLFYiKgrUhvGc0iqcwc8dNvJyA7rfcs7iip6PS3NKTi2D6lS0v1P8JwP45iY7usMxgUI3_jH-u3JvLkEMqw/s1600-h/PA313459.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmqB5O1ukvsWWa4TraaEWfb5olTjkCYdbObMTL4mbGzqgd_Kzz_F9XDDVwLFYiKgrUhvGc0iqcwc8dNvJyA7rfcs7iip6PS3NKTi2D6lS0v1P8JwP45iY7usMxgUI3_jH-u3JvLkEMqw/s320/PA313459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400374874423244802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4zQgQYs3qC2LMSd5FYW_He8MSZJJl-Mw-D_P4Laosoo5QHAh03dl4HLEX3ibXMAN9naw-W_bSDHLO4ytB1HOyrX4LaYIWlyCaBGWbTzm7A6vrsDAeO1UC0Sg3XTB5rYBtM9gNEIGmhg/s1600-h/PA313448.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4zQgQYs3qC2LMSd5FYW_He8MSZJJl-Mw-D_P4Laosoo5QHAh03dl4HLEX3ibXMAN9naw-W_bSDHLO4ytB1HOyrX4LaYIWlyCaBGWbTzm7A6vrsDAeO1UC0Sg3XTB5rYBtM9gNEIGmhg/s320/PA313448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400374865879136338" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Yarrrrrrr, this past weekend was the Marilla CX race. Team Rowman had work duties to do. So I wrangled my way out for the early 9:30 single speed class. Hehehehe, looking at all the pictures and stories out there I am pretty happy I did. The course was prefect for the first race. Warm and dry for the most part with some light rain coming at the end. Had a pretty good field for the single speed. Don Powers, Marc Glass, John Martin, and Montana Miller just to name a few. I ended up winning the race, but Don and Montana wasn't far behind. Here are a few pictures for your looking pleasures. They are brought to you via Traci. Hope to see ya on the trails soon.<br /><br />YARRRRRR!!!!<br /></div>ARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489382972854413750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-66020991726246292082009-09-21T13:27:00.007-04:002009-09-22T09:49:55.039-04:00Brought home the TitleWell that's it race fans.........the 2009 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span></span> season is in the books. It was a season full of excitement. Just like the typical <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span></span> race it was full of lots of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ups</span> and downs. But all in all in was a real <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">successful</span> season for us here at Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rowman</span></span>+.<br /><br />The series championship took place yesterday at Coopers Rock's on a beautiful, late summer, Sunday afternoon. There were lots of people in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">attendance</span> and lots of fast guys showed up for the series finally. Jeremy was coming into the race with a four point lead over Steve H. on the overall spot. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wily</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span>,</span> who just happened to be the race directer and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">layed</span></span> out the course, was within striking distance as well. So even though J would never admit it, I think there might have been some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">butterflies</span> going into this one.<br /><br />Myself, I wasn't feeling it at all. I think all the long work hours, home improvements and the long season finally caught up with me, cause I was dead dog tired. But I wanted to finish out and hopefully celebrate my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">teammates</span> success. The start the the race was a long road pull up from the furnace parking lot. The pace was fairly hot but not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">enough</span> to break up the elite field. I was able to hang on to the tail end though I was hurting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">purty</span></span> good. At the top of the last roller before we hit the trail I saw Jeremy pull off and reach for the tool kit. I thought "Oh shit, not what we need". I tried to offer assistance but he was way to focused on the problem to respond. So, I continued on. Turns out it was a loose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pedal</span> that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">plagued</span> him <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">throughout</span> the race.<br /><br />I was off the road and hit the trail and made it to Scott's Run Trail a bit off the leaders but I figured I could make up some ground on the decent. Especially on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">HiFi</span></span>. However, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dropping</span> down the first decent I quickly caught up with some single speeders and didn't have the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">confidence</span> or motivation to pass. So I settled in and tried to conserve some energy for the long pull out of Scott's Run. Before the turn up I heard someone coming up on me fast and I knew that it could only be one person crushing it that hard. It was big J. He was on the chase so I quickly pulled off so he could get by easily and the guys in front of me graciously gave way too.<br /><br />For anyone who hasn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">experienced</span> the climb on Scott's run let me fill you in. It's like a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">consistent</span> up hill rock garden with loose baby heads and a couple technical rock gardens thrown in for good measure. As I made the turn to head up I could see the leaders just ahead which lifted my spirits a bit. I could see Stephen was off to a good start and Jeremy was just ahead doing some hard work. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">HiFi</span></span> made short work of the climb, eating up the bumps making it feel like a just any other climb. But I could feel something wasn't right on the front end. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rough</span> decent had knocked my headset loose and it felt real floppy. So I had to stop on the false flat to correct the problem. In the process I was passed by quite a few. That good feeling I had just minutes before was quickly fleeting. Got it tightened down and proceeded up the hill. My closest <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">competitor</span> this season, Don P. was just in front of me so I set my sights on him and tried to keep a sustainable pace.<br /><br />The race continued on par through the Nature Loop, onto Roadside, Intermediate Loop (which was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">surprise</span>) to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">reservoir</span> </span>and down <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lebore</span></span>. I was able to put a gap on Don and caught up with Montana M. and Benji. At this point I calculated that I was in about 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> or 9<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> place overall. Followed Montana down Ridge Trail, probably should have passed him but I figured he'd just catch me on the climb. To my surprise we took a left at the bottom onto Mt. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Chateau</span> which goes further down and has a super technical section on the climb back up. On the climb I could feel myself quickly starting to unravel. I hadn't kept up with my fuel intake and was starting to suffer. By the time I made it to the Rattlesnake climb I was in a world of hurt. BONK! I had to stop and suck down a goo and down some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cytomax</span></span> which caused me to get passed again by quite a few. The rest of my race was just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">survival</span>. I was quite pissed when I got to the bottom of Ridge Trail again and had to take another turn down Mt. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chateau</span>. I finally finished in 2h 3min which was better than my time last year when the race was much shorter. Improvement! I was glad for it to be over and was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">hurt'n</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">purty</span></span> bad.<br /><br />I was happy to hear the rest of the team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">faired</span></span> well. Jeremy was able to overcome his petal woes and got a third place locking down the series title. Stephen had a good day on his new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">hottness</span></span> and got a 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> place finish. Mr. T had a good time and got a top 10 result. Way to go team!<br /><br />We hung around for the awards. Along with Jeremy collecting the title Steve came it a very respectable 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> overall for the season. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ol</span></span> Chappy got 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> for the second season in a row. A bit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disappointing</span>, I was aiming a little higher but I had a good time anyway. We had some much needed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">celebration</span> afterwards at Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMans</span></span> favorite watering hole, the Fish Bowl. We consumed some tasty chicken wings and many bowls of beer. We were joined by another Champion, Robbie L. who brought the SS title to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Morgantown</span></span>. Nice work man, we like you even though you ride for the Cracker-dale team ;o)<br /><br />There was a bit of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disappointment</span> for the day though. The boys got hosed at the series awards. There were no prizes awarded for the overall series other than a metal. Not even a bag of swag or a bottle of Hammer Gel. One would think there would be some kind of prize for sticking it out all season, paying all the entry fees, and busting your ass to make the races <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">competitive</span>. Not that we do it for the prizes but it would be nice to get just a little something in return. Something to keep us coming back and doing our best. I see all those sponsors logo's displayed on the web site, could they not toss in a couple of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pieces</span> of swag for the series winners? I think the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span></span> organization has some decisions to make over the off season. I think there is a lot of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">potential</span> there and just in my short time in the series I've seen great strides in the right direction. Just going to throw it out there, J.R. would never let the series winners leave practically empty handed.<br /><br />And while I'm at it, I have one more gripe to get off my chest. There's a solid cross <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">schedule</span> now to carry on after the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">XC</span></span> season but why the hell are all the races on Saturdays. Not like there are other races on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_53" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">contend</span></span> with on Sunday. Maybe some don't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_54" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">realize</span> a lot of people that do these races don't work Monday-Friday. How many shop guys do you know that race and won't be able to attend do to work? I know of two of this team. Just saying a Sunday race may have a better attendance. You won't see any <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_55" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowManians</span></span> at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_56" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">CX</span></span> races cause we all work on Saturday's.<br /><br />That's enough <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_57" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">bitch'n</span></span>..........for now. Let's focus on the positive. Great season, lots of fun, good time had by us at Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_58" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span></span>+. I think things can only get better next season. More experience, more training and more desire will carry us into seasons ahead. Expect some changes in the next season. Maybe some new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_59" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">acquisitions</span>, new bikes and hopefully some more sponsorship.<br /><br />What now? Relax, ride for the fun of it, get fat or in my case fatter. Oh, and the annual fall trip to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_60" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Slatyfork</span></span> on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_61" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">duelies</span></span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_62" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Guaranteed</span> to put a smile on your face.<br /><br />Maybe some more season wrap-up to come but that's all for now except for a big thank you to our sponsor, Cox Well Service for their support. They made those long trips down south possible. <br /><br />See ya at the bars,<br />JoshChappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-52737610656235855662009-09-15T21:47:00.003-04:002009-09-15T22:22:44.592-04:009.9SSL Top Fuel<div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7ddqxf_F4V2Q08ggH1TZTzwEvD8JzOPwH0ahI3g4lTRP2Hr_y9d2plcGYdAdc9P6YSNzdtg-jKfmFqnXyRH-7p9eOxnWvjhV8fKloqTyOSjjDGp-O_MZ4eHypFsllwqEgVbl8YEK_4M/s1600-h/9.9+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7ddqxf_F4V2Q08ggH1TZTzwEvD8JzOPwH0ahI3g4lTRP2Hr_y9d2plcGYdAdc9P6YSNzdtg-jKfmFqnXyRH-7p9eOxnWvjhV8fKloqTyOSjjDGp-O_MZ4eHypFsllwqEgVbl8YEK_4M/s200/9.9+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381877389864149426" border="0" /></a>Well, here it is. My new and inproved race bike. Since Trek did away with the 69er concept for 2010 I had to rub my chin and decide what I wanted to go with for next year. This is what I decided upon. The Trek 9.9SSL Top Fuel. She is real pretty.<br /><br />Got a handfull of rides on it and I must say it is the stiffest mountain bike I have ridden in awhile. When I say stiff it isn't a bad thing. The lateral direction is what I be talking about. With the BB90 clear up to the integrated headset. This thing doesn't flex. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ufaj59ImKAJq7z9J2CrpjZCDjzH9hYt-2kTrwdC90WyVFZgWBl5Tve8oby-B7270lkkweGMVbxh87W-Nac0xyzhRr0EFRoGH4KEgEf4kp3YVe3IorUUZNOB9QusnJOFNYIxApacLmAo/s1600-h/9.9+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ufaj59ImKAJq7z9J2CrpjZCDjzH9hYt-2kTrwdC90WyVFZgWBl5Tve8oby-B7270lkkweGMVbxh87W-Nac0xyzhRr0EFRoGH4KEgEf4kp3YVe3IorUUZNOB9QusnJOFNYIxApacLmAo/s200/9.9+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381877409543025122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The ABP pivot works amazing, keeping the travel nice and supple. With the Rock Shox Sid taming anything you can toss at it up front. <br /><br />The total package as you see it in the pictures tips the scales at a bit over 23lbs. 23.3 to be exact. That is lighter then my hardtail 69er.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQWk48LLxHzv5nLKgggVjkZIoB3tz0w7cM3kJfjobtJhX-sIt_P70LzzoFfC6ycVz9O6mSU0aYCsDtuCgi_eXt8yRdKwX4RLEETAQkd1H_SCR9N7vSTE-gr1TFdjOxf6ugQODnlhuMKU/s1600-h/9.9+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQWk48LLxHzv5nLKgggVjkZIoB3tz0w7cM3kJfjobtJhX-sIt_P70LzzoFfC6ycVz9O6mSU0aYCsDtuCgi_eXt8yRdKwX4RLEETAQkd1H_SCR9N7vSTE-gr1TFdjOxf6ugQODnlhuMKU/s200/9.9+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381877397481562210" border="0" /></a><br />This weekend will be the big test. I will be racing it at Coopers come Sunday along with the rest of Team Rowman. Enjoy the pictures and hope to see ya at the race .<br /><br /><br />Yarrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!<br />Your favorite Rowmania<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ChXTs3KT5qAAwxjUc3XE4oCHCN6YN7kQG-XudND0bnEwERqh-Wlw7suHRyd8iQVu-jCBRG0vLZaTqcxJIEKQv6pDe3Ib77yqo8kF4eTROHkDiekBNkseI4cYoNFNlXn1KahFrmGsNF4/s1600-h/9.9+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ChXTs3KT5qAAwxjUc3XE4oCHCN6YN7kQG-XudND0bnEwERqh-Wlw7suHRyd8iQVu-jCBRG0vLZaTqcxJIEKQv6pDe3Ib77yqo8kF4eTROHkDiekBNkseI4cYoNFNlXn1KahFrmGsNF4/s200/9.9+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381877417661631266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUvfoNG00JeilMuMhbizuvqqO7qb4SOvwFkqWSM9JDrPNsNBl1hlezKd_9OC6IDOty-c58HAWy-WixFzEnQlRxlz-eBLC69xAe6A18kpQZCag9aj3ZM5XfgJvHbSwM3ZzuqaR3zOyCnI/s1600-h/9.9+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUvfoNG00JeilMuMhbizuvqqO7qb4SOvwFkqWSM9JDrPNsNBl1hlezKd_9OC6IDOty-c58HAWy-WixFzEnQlRxlz-eBLC69xAe6A18kpQZCag9aj3ZM5XfgJvHbSwM3ZzuqaR3zOyCnI/s200/9.9+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381877401700502850" border="0" /></a>ARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489382972854413750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-42725772059160723672009-09-13T21:24:00.002-04:002009-09-13T22:54:49.687-04:00Ready to Rock?With the race season quickly coming to a close Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span> planned on heading over to Ohio for the Bob Evans race but long work hours and lack of motivation to make the long trek kept us close to home. So we decided to go up to Coopers Rock to prep for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span> Series Championship next weekend. The brothers and I got up there in the early afternoon and the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Great day to be on the bike. We met up with Sean Z. at the day lot and got ready to scout the race course.<br /><br />J and I were on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">SuperFly's</span> and Steve brought along his newest ride which just could be the hottest bike around. I won't give away the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">surprise</span> but it is Top Shelf.<br /><br />We started out on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">everyone's</span> favorite trail, Scott's Run and then hit the Nature loop then to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Right away</span> Trail. Sean turned us onto a new trail that bypasses the hike-a-bike on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Right away</span> Trail, nice improvement. Then it was back up on top and out Ridge Tail. <br /><br />It's been awhile since I've road a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">hardtail</span> at Coopers and I quickly remembered why. So now I'm considering pulling the trigger on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">HiFi</span> for the first time in a race. I think the bombing ability will be a nice advantage and hopefully the extra weight won't kill me on the climbs. Which there is quite a bit of hard <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">steep</span> sections to contend with. I'm still not 100% sold on the idea but the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">HiFi</span> does plow through the rough stuff and climbs well. So, why not?<br /><br />Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span> also hit up the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wedesnday</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Night'r</span> this past week. First time this year we were all three in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">attendance</span>. The ride was a bit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">subdued</span> cause Adam A. didn't make it and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span> and Betsy split off early. It was a large group but it seemed like no one really wanted to put the hammer down. We split from the group at Mt. Morris when Jeremy stayed on the gas after the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">state line</span> sprint and only a few others bridged up. Re-grouped after the turn around and stayed together back to town. Ended up being a good hard ride and I was feeling the burn afterwards.<br /><br />One more race to go in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">XC</span> season. Then it's time for some sweet fall mountain bike rides and the annual trip to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Slatyfork</span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">singletrack</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">euphoria</span>.<br /><br />Looks like Jeremy has the series championship wrapped up as long as the wheels don't fall off at Coopers. And Steve will grab a 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> place overall. Nice work fellers. <br /><br />Keep an eye out for a report on Steve's new ride.<br /><br />See ya at the races,<br />JoshChappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-12606806891814451662009-08-31T20:42:00.002-04:002009-08-31T22:39:44.572-04:00Black Bear Race ReportAnother race in the books. This week Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rowman</span> traveled to our state capital, Charleston, WV for the 23rd (Yes, 23rd) annual Black Bear 40K. I was looking forward to this race for awhile cause the course suits my riding abilities. The course takes racers up and down and around <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kanawha</span> State Forest. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">KSF</span> has some of the best riding in the state, next to our own Coopers of course. There are lots of steep technical <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">descents</span> that include large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">imbeded</span> rocks, roots and tight switch backs. There's a lot of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ups</span> to go along with the downs but most is fire road style with only mild to moderate grades. However, it does boast the meanest hike-a-bike ever.<br /><br />As stoked as I was about the Black Bear the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rowands</span> were that much not stoked. They must have been ravaged by the Bear before. But, in true <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span> style they manned up and made the race. It was another 11am start so we had to role out of Motown at the crack ass of dawn. Hell, it was still dark <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">until</span> we got 30-45 min. down 79. We wanted to make sure we got there earlier than last week to get in some more warm up time.<br /><br />The Sport Utility Neon was like the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> car in the lot at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">KSF</span>. Hell yeah, first ones to register. These guys must be hungry to for some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">race'n</span>. So we did our thing and before long it was go time. Not a real big showing for the expert/SS class. Mostly just the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">usuals</span> like Steve H., Robbie L., Don P., <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gannar</span>, Chris M., LB, Adam S.. <br /><br />The start sent us directly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">across</span> a stream crossing and then up a steady long fire road climb. I think I got the worst start ever. I was pretty much <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">DFL</span> starting up the climb. I couldn't even see the lead group. But I didn't panic and just put my head down and tried to tap out a good pace. I was able to make up some ground and before long I was just behind Jeremy and Steve who were up with the lead group. I was in the company of Adam S., Don P., and Brad S. By the time I got to the top of the climb the leaders were out of site. Once on top we hit some nice twisty single track. Robbie and his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">bitch'n</span> bike skills bridged up to me on the down hill section and for the second week in a row I wiped out with Robbie breathing down my neck and then got passed by Adam S.. Just a quick front wheel wash out from riding the brakes too hard. I was back up and going pretty quick with no damage done.<br /><br />I found myself riding the brakes a lot on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">descents</span>. I don't know if it was the pitch or the speed on technical, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unfamiliar</span> trails. I had some uncomfortable moments but was able to clean the rest of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">descents</span>. It was a total 180 from ACE where I was feeling fast and confident on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">descents</span>. The trails were super dry and loose so, maybe that was the difference.<br /><br />For most of the race I kept yo-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">yo'ing</span> back and forth with Robbie till he put on a hard push up one of the final road climbs and got by Adam S. I got close to Adam a couple of times but he would pull away <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">every time</span> we hit the woods. I think he might know the trails a bit better than myself.<br /><br />About 2hrs in I started to fall apart a little and started to think back to last week when I blew it at the end. I didn't want that to happen again. I was able to keep it together and avoid the cramps. Probably do to the great weather. Cool and low humidity. I made it to the long 200 yd., strait up hike-a-bike. By the top my calves were on fire from pushing up hill. I could hear someone below me up the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">hike'r</span> so I jumped on and tried to push it as much as I could without going over the edge. I made it to the finish without anyone catching up. I came in 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, my best finish of the season. I grabbed a good chunk of points but still have a good gap to close on Donny P. Only two more to go.<br /><br />Steve H. got the win for the day and he was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unreachable</span> on his home course. No wonder the dude is so fast. Riding the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">KSF</span> will make ya fast and tough. Jeremy had another showdown with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wily</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span>. Coming down the home stretch Jeremy was in the lead and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gannar</span> tossed a stick in his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">derailleur</span> to try and slow him down. But Jeremy's drive to win was greater than his concern for his high <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dollar</span> gear. Jeremy came in only seconds in front of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol</span>' pirate to claim 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> place. He said he tried to drop the Gunny a couple times but he was able to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">swashbuckle</span> his was back.<br /><br />Steve had a solid day but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">actually</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">admitted</span> to doing too much climbing which I didn't think would ever happen to him. Sounds like he was nailing the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">descents</span> this week. He came in 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> for the day though he was passed by Robbie in the last stretch. Yes <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">thats</span> right, he was caught by a SS on flat ground. I've got two words for ya dude "Big Ring". Good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">finish</span> anyway.<br /><br />Robbie got another win in the SS class. That makes 6 for 6 on the SS. Nice work man and thanks for the encouragement. You are a true sportsman.<br /><br />Next week is an off race week. However, the Chapman's are moving into their new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">digs</span> so come on down if you like to move heavy stuff cause I know I don't. Next stop for Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span> will be the Bob Evans and then the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">championship</span> race on our home turf (Coopers). Sure to be a good time. Last <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span> of the year so, leave it all out on the trail.<br /><br />See ya at the races,<br />JoshChappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-85140832622935957982009-08-24T21:16:00.008-04:002009-08-25T21:29:09.324-04:00I'm BackI'm finally back on the the race train after a month <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hiatus</span> and it's good to be back together with my Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rowman</span></span> bros. The team headed down to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">conquer</span> the <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/iplay/Events/?eid=2009/08/11652r2.html">ACE Bike Fest </a>in Oak Hill, WV. It was an early 11am start so we had to role out of bed stupid early to make the 2.5 hr drive. But I was pumped to be racing my bike again so I didn't mind. I've been preoccupied the last few weeks going on vacation and working on my new house. My hours on the bike took a dive along with my fitness but I've been working on bring it back up for the past couple weeks. I didn't have high hopes for myself at ACE but I went along for the fun and fastness and to hang out with some cool cats.<br /><br />We didn't get to ACE till a little before 10am so there wasn't much time to get <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">registered</span>, geared up and warmed up. The first thing we noticed when we got there was the standing water on the ground. Looked like we were going to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">contend</span> with some muddy, wet trails for the first time in awhile. I was hoping I remembered how to handle the bike on slippery trails.<br /><br />After registration we got base camp set up and quickly got ready to race. I only got about a 10 minute warm up before the racers meeting. Not optimal for myself, I usually need at least 30 min. to warm up the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">diesel</span>. The start of the race took us out a flat gravel road around the camp ground and then dropped into the woods. A hairpin turn sent us back the way we came alone the contour of the ridge on a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">rolly</span></span> trail. The start seemed to be almost in slow motion. Not like the typical <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span></span> start which is usually red line out of the box. But I was cool with it, a little more warm up time. I found Steve's wheel to follow and he was on Robbie's wheel. There was a small gap between us and the lead group with Jeremy, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span></span>, Steve H. and Chris ?. After a small climb we popped out on a gravel road. I grabbed the big ring and closed the gap Steve and Robbie got on me and we stayed together on the road and back onto the trails. The lead group was out of sight by the time we got back on the trails. Those guys were smoking it!<br /><br />It was cool riding with Steve and Robbie all alone. Felt like a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Thursday</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nightr</span></span>. I was feeling good and having a blast on the twisty and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">rollie</span></span> trails. We past <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span></span> changing a flat at the bottom of a rocky decent. After a short rocky technical section we were back on a gravel road. I grabbed the big ring again. Worked with Robbie for a bit but he couldn't keep pace on one gear. Steve was close behind till we got to the premier decent on the course, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rigamortis</span></span>. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">SuperFly</span></span> was feeling good so I let go of the brakes and let her fly on the decent. There were some steep, loose rocky sections that made it real interesting. At the bottom there was no sign of my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">teammate</span>. I was hoping he didn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">plummet</span> into the canyon.<br /><br />Next was some more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">rollie</span></span> fire road and then the big climb of the course. Midway up the climb I saw Steve and Robbie closing in. I was glad to see they were still alive and in one piece. On a single track section those 2 were breathing down my neck then the next thing I knew I was falling over the hillside. I don't know what the hell happened. I don't know if it was the oxygen dept I was in or all the paint I've been huffing lately but I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pretty</span> much just fell over the side. That's were my race started to go down hill. I went from 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> to 7<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> in a matter of minutes. I dragged my carcass up the steep, mucky, rutted out climb. At the top there was more of bread and butter though, fast and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">rollie</span></span>. Big ring time! I road the next lap and half with Montana M. till the climb came back around. I could feel my legs starting to cramp up so I backed off a bit and tried to spin a bit more. By the time I made it up the climb I was starting to fade fast but only had a few miles to go. But then the cramps hit me hard, felt like my muscles were going to tare in two a couple times. I had to jump off and push the second to last climb. Then Donald P. came around the turn. He was encouraging me to ride but all I could do was hike to the top. He passed me just at the top. I mounted up and kept the gap close hoping to spin out the cramps and sprint it out on the final climb. But when the last kick came I stood up to go then my legs <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">seized</span> up hard and let out a scream of pain. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ouchy</span></span>! On go. I wasn't happy about getting passed at the last minute but all and all it was a good day. Eighth was better then I expected after my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hiatus</span>.<br /><br />The rest of the team had a great showing. Jeremy got the win after an epic battle with Steve H. and Chris. The three were together most of the race till Steve and J. were able to put Chris in the hurt locker. J. got a 30 sec. gap on Steve for the win. He said it was the hardest battle of the year with lots of going hard and fast. Nice work kid, back on top. Steve came it a solid 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> place. Wish I could have stayed with ya mate. Maybe next time. Good job Stephen!<br /><br />Only 3 more races left in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span></span> series. It's been a good season thus far with Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span></span>+ members racking up some real solid finishes. Looks like J. might have the series wrapped up but don't look for him to fade anytime soon. He's still hungry for more wins. Steve's looking to climb up the ranks before the end. I'm hoping to pull together some more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fitness</span> and get a couple good results. Maybe we will see a Nate comeback. Tim is back to school but might come out to finish out the season. No coach though, he's in the deep south, miss ya little buddy.<br /><br />Come out and get your racing in while you can and have fun with Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span>.<br /><br />See ya at the races,<br />Josh<br /><br />P.S.<br />If anyone out there would be interested in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sponsoring</span> the fastest team in the state next year send me an e-mail and I will hook you up with our team resume.<br /><br />Pics. and results coming soon.Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-84554391318522945352009-08-19T12:23:00.002-04:002009-08-19T13:19:01.316-04:00DIRT DERBYYarrrrrrrrrrrr, This past weekend was the Dirt Derby in Barboursville. Was a pretty long drive , but we made it. No Chappy for us this time around. The new Plus, Tim drove us down. Things whe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ23GxGcU9uDU10HXjSysiAjYzd5n3c83rRhub7nf31ox24l-rCj1AYo4mZ7Gaha5Ej-1rASjdejeZQGcx742TvSyYni3313HZFH9aRhzwx8IYtNktIdG4KA1Dw0f6DAZdC4ho0nz04No/s1600-h/race+dirt+derby+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ23GxGcU9uDU10HXjSysiAjYzd5n3c83rRhub7nf31ox24l-rCj1AYo4mZ7Gaha5Ej-1rASjdejeZQGcx742TvSyYni3313HZFH9aRhzwx8IYtNktIdG4KA1Dw0f6DAZdC4ho0nz04No/s200/race+dirt+derby+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371719273493013762" border="0" /></a>re hot as soon as we got there. Even for a 11:00 start, the sun was blazing.<br /><br />The race started a bit after 11. We rolled out the park on the hardball. About two miles later we popped into the woods. Jesse Stevens was setting a good pace followed by J and myself. We quickly pulled away from the pack. I love that river trail. OH SO FAST.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">J, just looking too fast.</span><br /><br />We stayed together for about the first lap and well, the heat and the pace started to get to me. I slowly lost contact with J and Jesse.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7NiLsEj9FJfXpzPh3mnR_K1-vBzRQPejx8e-Ze4OG7UTOA40PqhmLvjTt_wO8RHWKen4teXteu7gauU0GagKUVn1MWY0IO_FLvlaPSES8FYy5HiZcfyUzvFHmfTdywMkkSFUeWkuiq0/s1600-h/race+dirt+derby+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7NiLsEj9FJfXpzPh3mnR_K1-vBzRQPejx8e-Ze4OG7UTOA40PqhmLvjTt_wO8RHWKen4teXteu7gauU0GagKUVn1MWY0IO_FLvlaPSES8FYy5HiZcfyUzvFHmfTdywMkkSFUeWkuiq0/s200/race+dirt+derby+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371719277470174290" border="0" /></a><br />Jesse went on to win and J got 2nd. As for myself I got 3rd. Our powerhouse Plus got 6th in his class. Good job Tim.<br /><br /><br />The Full TEAM ROWMAN will be racing the ACE this coming weekend and we hope to see ya there.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HEHEHE, Tim and his go fast treats.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9aO4EP46SYVIblFSR5ffO3YN8_YRiTR0N3pdbFhjymQfJfyuy27DePN4S7Q5HYDg3N1bSV_y1iyKvQdKgr8SPALcc1_vxon7tyOYEck8xOhdUMO4wcyiTY-LY-TCs26S5GA3kWJga9A/s1600-h/race+dirt+derby+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9aO4EP46SYVIblFSR5ffO3YN8_YRiTR0N3pdbFhjymQfJfyuy27DePN4S7Q5HYDg3N1bSV_y1iyKvQdKgr8SPALcc1_vxon7tyOYEck8xOhdUMO4wcyiTY-LY-TCs26S5GA3kWJga9A/s200/race+dirt+derby+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371719283131850578" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DAMN, he must be sponsored.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Expert podium, hot dang.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXs4kxmAsmO4iRLkUw-wKOe9_kGmvID3O5j3QE1H6l4XMXiyluIaDO4LIjhzxa5PyK6H2ne_rzLaMyPI7ykwqMiqrbHIVls8R8Ms80fhvd-qVzMe4Fbn8hJOm6ObuW8XxhfPFS2zsZ9og/s1600-h/race+dirt+derby+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXs4kxmAsmO4iRLkUw-wKOe9_kGmvID3O5j3QE1H6l4XMXiyluIaDO4LIjhzxa5PyK6H2ne_rzLaMyPI7ykwqMiqrbHIVls8R8Ms80fhvd-qVzMe4Fbn8hJOm6ObuW8XxhfPFS2zsZ9og/s200/race+dirt+derby+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371719300766257698" border="0" /></a>ARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489382972854413750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-8270264238213284352009-07-20T21:23:00.005-04:002009-07-22T19:13:47.163-04:00Team RowMan @ Valley Falls ChallengeThe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowManians</span> had a short trip south this weekend to hit up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span> #8, <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/2009/07/11648r.html">The Valley Falls Challenge</a>. It was a quick skip down I-79 to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fairmont</span> for this one, Sweet! It was just Steve and I in the team sport utility Neon. J caught a ride with his lady <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Auvid</span>, who was coming down to cheer on her favorite bike team.<br /><br />Steve and I made the usual <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">caffeine</span> pit stop then buzzed down to Valley Falls. Got there early and set up camp. Jeremy and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Auvid</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">arrived</span> right behind us and our newest team member, Tim W. right behind them. So, we did the now routine <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-game and prepared for the familiar pain to come. Oh it hurts so good!<br /><br />There was a bit of delay at the start while we waited for the sport and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">beginner</span> class spread themselves along the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">beginning</span> climb. The challenge of the Valley Falls Challenge starts right from the gun. The expert class starts at the bottom of a steadily steep road climb before bombing back down on some twisty single track. On the line I got <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">shuffled</span> back to the end of the pack while the brothers got good position in the front. On the starting climb the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">beginning</span> pace was pretty reasonable so I was able bridge myself up to the front third of the group right on Steve's wheel. I was hoping he wouldn't wreck me this time so I decided to pass him. I almost beat him to the trail but he pulled by me just before we turned off the road. He never would have heard the end of it if I would have got him on the climb, and you know that. Looked to me like Jeremy made it in the woods in around 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> or 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> and I could see Steve H., <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span>, Andy G. and maybe a couple more up in front.<br /><br />I was pretty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">geeked</span> about my position at the top of the climb but knew I had to focus on the technical decent so I didn't biff it and blow another good start. I followed Steve's wheel down the decent and was able to keep it on the rail. I did get passed by Benji, but that guy can <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">descend</span> like hell. Saw a number of riders off the side of the trail though on the way down. At the bottom of the decent is a gravel access road so I was able to hit the big ring and power past a couple dudes out the road. I could still see the leaders just up the road so I knew we were in good shape. Tried to do some pulling for Stephen but he couldn't match the power of the Chappy diesel so I backed off and tried to settle into my zone and prepare myself for the big, long climbs ahead where the diesel could blow up. Steve and I stayed together for a good bit with Andy G. and no one else in sight behind us.<br /><br />When we hit the climb I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">surprisingly</span> held it together and kept up with Steve and Andy for much longer than normal. But eventually they put a good gap on me and I found myself all alone on the hill. I knew what I had to do so I kept up my cadence and was able to clean the first climb without anyone catching me. I made it to the last kick and could still see Steve just at the top. I couldn't clean the last kick but I saw <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Steve'o</span> clear it with his 2x9. He's a power house on the steeps.<br /><br />I hate that climb but man I love the downhill on the back side. I grabbed the big ring and went down as fast as I could on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">swoopy</span> decent. Had a great time on the way down letting the big wheels fly. Hit a couple more steeps before starting the second lap but I was able to spin up the first one but had to hike-a-bike the second one. When I got back to the road climb to start the 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> lap I was passed by a rider on the way up. He was out of the saddle humping it to the top. I didn't chase cause I felt like I could bridge up on the way down. I did, and we road out the gravel road together and he was just ahead of me starting the long climb for the second time up. He must have hit the hill hard cause he dropped me good on the way up. But I was able to clean it again without getting passed. I saw Steve again in the pine section and he was still on Andy G's wheel. I think he's learning how to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">pace</span> off of others now cause he was able to gap him before the end of the climb.<br /><br />I finished out the rest of the second lap without loosing any positions. I could see a Night <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Club'er</span> behind me on one of the climbs, I think it was Benji but I made it to the finish before he caught up. Maybe cause I turned on the afterburners or maybe cause he broke his frame in two right before the end. I came in 7<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> overall and in the expert class. One of my best finishes yet! Hell yeah! It's about time <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol'chappy</span> was able to put together a solid race with no flats, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">mechanicals</span> or physical <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">aliments</span>.<br /><br />The rest of the team did good. Jeremy got <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span> by a wheel for 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span>. He broke a chain and didn't have a quick link so he had to splice it back together. Otherwise he would have taken 1st. Steve got a solid forth, real good considering he was recovering from his fall last week and a busy week of riding around town. Tim came in 12<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> in the sport class. Nice riding boys! Director Chappy is proud of you.<br /><br />We had a team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dinner</span> at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Meriel's</span> and stopped for some recovery ice cream before heading back to Mo-town. It was a fine day.<br /><br />Special thanks to our number one fan and photographer.........<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Auvid</span>. Also, thanks to Jason M. and all his sponsors for putting on a great race, one of the best races of the year.<br /><br />We missed having Nate and Coach around for the race. Nate had to work and Coach is getting ready to move down south to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATL</span>. You'll be missed little buddy.<br /><br />It's a couple weeks off for Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span>+ to rest and rebuild. Our next action will be the Big Bear Ultra then the ACE race.<br /><br />See you at the races,<br />later,<br />Josh<br /><br />Check out the WBOY news report <a href="http://www.boomboxradio.net/boombox/PlayerSetup/Players/WBOYPlayer.aspx?FileId=196647_wboy">here</a>.Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-42138811773159046922009-07-13T10:42:00.019-04:002009-07-15T00:28:20.178-04:00WV State Championship Race ReportTeam <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span></span>+ had an exciting day at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span></span> #7, <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/2009/07/11647r.html?PHPSESSID=29527b0a529df138ba3c52067dd8eadd">WV State Mountain Bike <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Championships</span></span></a> in Davis, WV. This is a fun, rocky course with riding you can't find anywhere else around these parts. If you like to ride rough, technical, rocky trails then this race is for you. Not an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">extreme</span> amount of climbing but the climbs that are on the course are rocky and technical.<br /><br />The weather cooperated for the race. Saturday it sure looked like it was going to be a repeat of last year when the area got inches of rain the night before making the trails very wet with lots of standing water. The storms broke-up before making it to WV dropping little to no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">precipitation</span></span>. So the trails were dry and fast with hardly a spot of mud to contend with. I was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">sweat'n</span></span> it on Saturday cause I had changed my tires over to some dry treads in hopes of the ground staying dry. No worries.<br /><br />On Sunday we got to Davis right on time to give us a couple of hours before the start. Stopped by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blackwater</span></span> Bikes first for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">registration</span></span> and then we headed out Camp 70 road and found a nice spot for base camp right around the start area. After some set-up, resting and hydrating it was time to gear up and get warmed up. We did a quick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">recognisance</span></span> ride to check out the conditions and look for a place to stash some extra water in case of emergency since it was going to be a longer race (~28 miles). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP0BZJgjuY4uuKmeDHkTfyJFmJv1WbdAO04fpFGs-Qgss1liu3eGbJfyp4t8JdESrKy8kPf2hspApcjMqMNcA7pVi2llqXetkb_JIIkytUZGm4YPIEwtIHfDcC_W6e2leCNggJNENyjvR/s1600-h/IMG_1888.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358531826359840338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP0BZJgjuY4uuKmeDHkTfyJFmJv1WbdAO04fpFGs-Qgss1liu3eGbJfyp4t8JdESrKy8kPf2hspApcjMqMNcA7pVi2llqXetkb_JIIkytUZGm4YPIEwtIHfDcC_W6e2leCNggJNENyjvR/s200/IMG_1888.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGPqmwyyKK-KIK2NJlfY6A4P1oxJhYquVDUwsSvvw0mRIExXZ5K5FZ0ao42kQYzk8QrlN10qrk2DuSVOpsDF7ceaC77QnLDCQEDCOxc31w0Ss9Sl-_03SonGO20-7Brzymzmw5bBxt3A7/s1600-h/IMG_1880.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358531819116918018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGPqmwyyKK-KIK2NJlfY6A4P1oxJhYquVDUwsSvvw0mRIExXZ5K5FZ0ao42kQYzk8QrlN10qrk2DuSVOpsDF7ceaC77QnLDCQEDCOxc31w0Ss9Sl-_03SonGO20-7Brzymzmw5bBxt3A7/s200/IMG_1880.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Steve strut'n his stuff and base base camp</span><br /><br />Then it was time for the start. There was quite a nice crowd on hand for the race. There was some nasty drama off the start. I was mid pack going down the the gravel road right behind Steve. We were moving up a couple of spots and then someone came over on Steve and tangled handle bars and Steve lost is front wheel and was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">instantly</span> on the ground. I watched him do a power slide on his right side on the gravel right in front of my wheel. I was able to get stopped in time so not to run him over but could not avoid going down myself. Luckily, no one from behind came up on our pile up. We got up quickly and checked things out. Steve was ripped up pretty good but no serious injuries and I hardly got a scratch. Steve's bike on the other hand had a twisted stem, a bent pedal and lots of scares. After <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">assuring</span> he was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span></span> I jumped on and hit the trails <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">DFL</span></span>. Steve tried to give it a go but the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pedal</span> put a end to his day. What a bummer!<br /><br />I was able to pass quite a few and make up some ground but may have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">buried</span> myself a little too much. Then, after I got passed Moon Rocks all the folks I had passed were right back on me. That was real <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">demoralizing</span></span> and took some wind out of my sails. Then I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">realized</span> that they had taken a right turn before moon rocks following the old course where I went straight following a course change due to the logging in that area. I was pretty pissed about how the day was going so far. Then to make things better on Ho <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Doo</span></span> Rocks a bolt fell out of my water bottle cage causing it to fall to the side. So, I had to stop and take it off, watching everyone I passed pass me back. Shit! But I took a deep breath and said oh well, "go out and ride well and have a good time". So <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">that's</span> what I did.<br /><br />I got past a couple and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">caught</span> up with Sean Z. and we road together through the rest of the 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span></span> lap and around the start of the 3rd lap. I was happy to see Steve trial side in one piece. He was grinning with a fresh bottle and gel. Thanks buddy!<br /><br />When things were just starting to go well and we had a couple of guys in our sites, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Psssssss</span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">punchure</span></span>. Double Shit! So off Sean went up the trail while I had to stop and tend to my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">flaccid</span> tire. I hit with some air and gave the Stan's a chance to seal, no luck. Then when I was just about to tube it, she <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">finally</span> sealed and held. And I was off again. No other events for the remainder of the lap. I came it just under 3hrs. and in 10<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> place. I guess not too bad considering another tough day for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol'Chappy</span></span>.<br /><br />I got back to find out that Jeremy had blown everyone away and got the win and is now the WV State Champ. Great job Jeremy. Steve looked a little rough with some bandages covering his knee's and elbow's. He was in good spirits though, probably a lot better than I would have been. Heal fast <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Steve'O</span></span>. It was nice to take a cool down swim in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blackwater</span></span>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPXbfAC5Htsz2Y4mRI-tnUJJ6dS430MHnANUqsrI4E6AQceIxxQ8XYtYNnFhTIQLZfhyphenhyphen5kWvhy-UYAuZL6OOaXWmRmrYyVGcubUxxL1Y1sFrfn6Z3BbwgSMHlmbL4GjAtvoJ8oLR_fY_n/s1600-h/IMG_1937.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358533467262515682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPXbfAC5Htsz2Y4mRI-tnUJJ6dS430MHnANUqsrI4E6AQceIxxQ8XYtYNnFhTIQLZfhyphenhyphen5kWvhy-UYAuZL6OOaXWmRmrYyVGcubUxxL1Y1sFrfn6Z3BbwgSMHlmbL4GjAtvoJ8oLR_fY_n/s200/IMG_1937.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QnaL-HZDda8GyfU2cf_XXmRciA1bZlgHyvsjMkeC47Xiy1qFlLEusdw_NoUQ7iBzZytbHgdcZ_27ZuoYlMYtFJ9Gzo37-RihnYzjkCex5IFBgiKnYL40KpLrFb6WBpCqUC9Y1VP875yO/s1600-h/IMG_1938.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358533471746666802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QnaL-HZDda8GyfU2cf_XXmRciA1bZlgHyvsjMkeC47Xiy1qFlLEusdw_NoUQ7iBzZytbHgdcZ_27ZuoYlMYtFJ9Gzo37-RihnYzjkCex5IFBgiKnYL40KpLrFb6WBpCqUC9Y1VP875yO/s200/IMG_1938.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Steve's ouchies</span><br /><br />After <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">hang'n</span></span> out for a bit, enjoying few brews and swapping stories we got over to the awards so big J could collect his loot. He also got a sweet state champ. medal too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpqUoajqGB1WXhVG_joapwWO-sGIOZACCYwO8eTrCbVs4ybpN0NvybMjhgKl4KYfkWq09Pj-Ce8zk6O1he4M3-CHNcmqMbHPiZWa5TfGg0kOghv1Q2ij6hC_SfpjjI6Thyphenhyphenhj4QV3jcFif/s1600-h/IMG_1927.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358532448573029986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpqUoajqGB1WXhVG_joapwWO-sGIOZACCYwO8eTrCbVs4ybpN0NvybMjhgKl4KYfkWq09Pj-Ce8zk6O1he4M3-CHNcmqMbHPiZWa5TfGg0kOghv1Q2ij6hC_SfpjjI6Thyphenhyphenhj4QV3jcFif/s200/IMG_1927.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqLWwp5TMmhgD-vNSDa24ID8G3B8MtJenAU53IQ8c7bo1ASCxWVafxLBwt4aDEFPzao6yYLElnsTIH3fGTkYCBDtb7pMUb1bI__-up_k2vywHcYatihevZZzdC-EyRNq7wa3AVtF41dzP/s1600-h/IMG_1936.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358533458173604514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqLWwp5TMmhgD-vNSDa24ID8G3B8MtJenAU53IQ8c7bo1ASCxWVafxLBwt4aDEFPzao6yYLElnsTIH3fGTkYCBDtb7pMUb1bI__-up_k2vywHcYatihevZZzdC-EyRNq7wa3AVtF41dzP/s200/IMG_1936.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqLWwp5TMmhgD-vNSDa24ID8G3B8MtJenAU53IQ8c7bo1ASCxWVafxLBwt4aDEFPzao6yYLElnsTIH3fGTkYCBDtb7pMUb1bI__-up_k2vywHcYatihevZZzdC-EyRNq7wa3AVtF41dzP/s1600-h/IMG_1936.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Jeremy pumped for the win and flashing the bling</span><br /><br />On the way back to Motown I thought stopping by the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Candyland</span></span> in Oakland would be good for the bros. Jeremy could spend his winnings and Stephen could get some recovery sugar. For anyone who doesn't know the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rowands</span></span>, those boys likes the candy. So, they were in heaven filling up their bags the all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">varities</span> of candy. Steve got a record 6 pounds of candy. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">WoW</span></span>!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSJJ5Lw36EITDijiWgjXm-oeMTAqqCR15GkCDEnndBKXoGuNMPfkPQH6kKfRyAQ8GB2K8qrK-9bJaebNE3ZutHk28KhQidpVt_IT0tVKEhmN8H2hq68xaO7gkjOem9MpeyqtUUM0pfY8u/s1600-h/IMG_1935.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358532458802770994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSJJ5Lw36EITDijiWgjXm-oeMTAqqCR15GkCDEnndBKXoGuNMPfkPQH6kKfRyAQ8GB2K8qrK-9bJaebNE3ZutHk28KhQidpVt_IT0tVKEhmN8H2hq68xaO7gkjOem9MpeyqtUUM0pfY8u/s200/IMG_1935.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Jeremy with some bag envy </span><br /><br />Next weekend we'll be down at the <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/2009/07/11648.html">Valley Falls Challenge </a>that is put on by our friend Jason M. This is a well put on, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">challenging</span> race. So, come out suffer and love it with Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span></span>+ and the rest of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span></span> racers.<br /><br />See ya at the races,<br />Later,<br />Josh<br /><br />Pictures on the way soon. For now check out the our slide show and these.<br /><a href="http://www.parsonsadvocate.com/photogallery196.html">http://www.parsonsadvocate.com/photogallery196.html</a><br />Who is that fast looking guy if the first picture.Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-48397889076913309492009-07-07T00:02:00.004-04:002009-07-07T09:03:29.282-04:00Independance Weekend Race'n<div><div>The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowManians</span> celebrated our countries <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Independence</span> Day weekend by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exercising</span> our freedom to ride. What better way to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experience</span> the freedom we enjoy then by jumping on your bike and hurling yourself down the road/trail.<br /><br />First up was the <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/?eid=2009/07/11709.html">Barbour <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">DeTour</span></a>, the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> and final race in the <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/2008/06/11035.html?PHPSESSID=8c1fe0f76cac7ef22de5676646589786">WV Road Race Series</a>. It was a nice day for a bike race with low humidity and sunny <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sky's</span>. It was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">purty</span> early start with the flag dropping at 10am. Steve and I didn't get to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Philippi</span> till after 9am so that didn't leave much time to screw around. Nate got there a bit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">earlier</span> but not by much. After filling out some paper work and gearing up there was only about 15-20min left for a warm-up. Not optimal but oh well the first climb out of town would be a good warm-up as long as we didn't get dropped.<br /><br />Steve rolled out with the 1/2/3's right at 10am. I was coming the other way as they rolled out and noticed Steve was already in the front doing work as always..........That boy will never learn. I got back to the start line within seconds of the roll out. For those that haven't road the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">DeTour</span> before, it is a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">rollie</span>, ~30miler (~50mi for 1/2/3) with the largest climb starting 1mi after the start. The pace was moderate going up the first hill but not enough to cause much of a split in the group. I stayed around 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> wheel right behind Nate in case there was anybody who thought they would try and get away. No one did. The course got <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">rollie</span> after that with a few guys trying put in some attacks. I went out on a couple with no hope of getting way. Just wanted to stretch the legs and push it a little since it was such a short race. Not much happened till the group made the turn back towards <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Philippi</span>. Then you could feel the group starting to get twitchy for the run in to the finish. I put in a hard effort after one of the rollers hoping to get a small break. I got a good gap but then I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">realized</span> I was nowhere near as close to the finish as I thought. So, I shut it down and went back to the group. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">BoneHead</span>!<br /><br />Not long after, it was time for the exciting finish which goes down the same starting hill into town and then takes a 90 degree right off of Main then a 90 degree left onto a side street then about 50 meter sprint to the line. It was a fast decent into town with lots of riders <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">jockeying</span> for good position for the turns. I got onto Robbie and Nate's wheel on the inside cause I knew these guys had the finish dialed in. Robbie launched a lot further than I expected and I lost their wheels by a bit but was still 3rd going into the turns. First turn went well, still in 3rd, second turn I got a little wide and had to back off a bit and lost some momentum. Robbie and Nate got away and I lost two more spots as I tried to get back up to speed. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">definitely</span> need more work on my sprinting technique. I still came across the line 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> although the results say 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> (no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">camera</span>, just pen and paper). Nate got 1st (2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> year in a row) and Robbie got 2nd. Nice job boys. Thanks for the ride in. Wish I could have kept it going.<br /><br />Then it was time to wait for the 1/2/3's to come through after their second lap. About an hour later the first guys came through. A Cat guy got the win with Adam A. right behind him getting 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span>. A couple <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">minutes</span> back was Steve's group. Steve came around the turn right behind <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span> but lost one spot in the sprint. Still a 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> is damn good in the big boy race. Good work Steve.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLL-XdLtMSRG0HfSGQ-iwh4brPeYnvzZKZx6cf1194qlqijn0mPh4zz4D9375qlHkEy3aQemVAXf4K8bSdz0oXjTOUhtFpom3ZoJgeLN1ClMIUDJOoYtZrqA9ygWgjb9RxRZBIunvg9c1/s1600-h/sprint.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 197px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355697167254599922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLL-XdLtMSRG0HfSGQ-iwh4brPeYnvzZKZx6cf1194qlqijn0mPh4zz4D9375qlHkEy3aQemVAXf4K8bSdz0oXjTOUhtFpom3ZoJgeLN1ClMIUDJOoYtZrqA9ygWgjb9RxRZBIunvg9c1/s200/sprint.jpg" /></a><br />The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowManians</span> also collected some swag and bling for placing in the overall road series (Steve 3rd in 1/2/3, Nate 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> 4/5, Josh 3rd 4/5). Very cool. Thanks J.R. for putting on an excellent series, I had a great time. Only wish there were a few more races to go. Maybe next year?<br /><br />After the race we retreated back to Motown for a cookout at the Chappy homestead where we had some recovery burgers and beers and were treated to a fireworks show by Sean Z.<br /><br />On Sunday the brothers Row headed back down to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Philippi</span> without the Man for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span> #5, <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/?eid=2009/07/11646r.html">Race to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> Moe's</a>. So I don't have much to report yet just some solid results. Hopefully Steve will fill in the blanks. Jeremy got a 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> behind <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span> and Steve got a 3rd. Steve was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">look'n</span> to take <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol</span>' Gunny so he could collect on the overall weekend price but alas the old man was just too <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">wiley</span>. Great work dudes. Still 1,2 in the <a href="http://www.wvmba.com/2009-standings.php?race_class=1">series</a>.<br /><br />I can't wait to get back on the mountain bike the next 2 weekends at the <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/?eid=2009/07/11647.html">WV State <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Championship</span> </a>in Davis and then <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/?eid=2009/07/11648.html">Valley Falls<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355697162403023762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4DWq3S8HECdJQ6W_iv_2AEP9h14_4JnTvJmcTrHk2SZhBMOKlNHu38DUL-qGNGzl4AvC-D9JTus3WKNCQXUAk1wZlmaj-sEuV6pJhzVaFZ0J0AUG0nDBNOkCpvhM9Evkc1LY3cFqkJXA/s200/IMG_1872.JPG" /></a> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fairmont</span>. Both challenging races. I think the Davis race just could be my favorite. It's got it all and plenty of it for everyone.<br />See ya at the races,<br />Josh</div></div>Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-25745652482235219632009-06-21T21:35:00.006-04:002009-06-24T08:46:07.057-04:00Appy Classic Race ReportTeam <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span>+ made the trip down to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Grantsville</span>, WV for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMBA</span> #5, the 13<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> annual <a href="http://www.iplayoutside.com/iplay/Events/?eid=2009/06/11645r.html">Appalachian Classic</a>. This one's kinda special for me b/c my uncle Mike is one of the founders. In fact, it's his art that is used for t-shirts and emblems. Though he doesn't race any more he represented when he did and has some good race stories.<br /><br />Today it was just the Brothers Row and the Man (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> me). The other Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowManians</span> had other <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">commitments</span> and couldn't make the race. We missed you guys.<br /><br />It was a beautiful day for a race. The drive down was full of blue sky and sunshine. Not the norm for this year thus far but a welcome change. So moral was high for the trip and everyone was hungry for some good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol</span>' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVMA</span> racing.<br /><br />When we got to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Calhoun</span> County Park we set up camp at the shelter where Team Bi-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">acher</span>/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cannondale</span> Factory Racer, Chris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">M.</span>had set up camp from the night before. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ol</span>' boy was looking a bit lonely since his fellow Bi-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">achers</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gunnar</span> & Betsy) were out of state doing one of the 100 milers. So we pulled in to give him some company and share some of his shade. Chris gave us a run down of the Saturday events (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">TT</span> and short track race) and the festivities through the night. Sounds like we missed some fun but Chris seem to be paying the price a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> but he's a tough dude and recovered well.<br /><br />By start time there was a nice size crowed on hand. Lots of the usual suspects: WV Night Club (with Andy W. making a come back after a broken <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">collarbone</span>-good to see him back); <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Pittsburgh</span> Pro guys; The Riddles; Ohio speedster Dave W.; Jesse S. and some more folks I just can't recall right now. There were a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">couple</span> of faces I haven't seen at the races for awhile, Jacob B.; '08 Sport Champ. Ian B.<br /><br />After J.R. flashed everyone and got us all fired up he sent us out on the start. The start of this race seemed especially important to get to the front before the taped off section narrowed down the line and hit some tight turns. There was quite a bit of tire rubbing and jocking for position before the first turn but all the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowManians</span> had good position in the front third of the pack. Then it was a loop through the field, up around the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pavilion</span> and down the hill to the access road. Once on the access road I grabbed the big ring and made up some ground with Stephen on my wheel and Jeremy two guys ahead. Jeremy hit the single track in 3rd behind Dave W. and Tim C., I was 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> and Stephen 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> and the pace was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">smoke'n</span> fast. By far the fastest start of the season. We held that position for a quite awhile till Steve H. put on a balls out pass around the whole group and picked up the pace even more. Of course Steve got around me on the first sizable climb but I held my own for a bit more.<br /><br />Then, I heard a loud pop. It wasn't from my bike but from my body. The fast start quickly caught up with me and I started to pay the price. Got passed by a few on the paved road climb. It was fun while it lasted but for me it was just survival <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">after</span> that as I dropped from 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> to I don't even know where.<br /><br />I wasn't the only one having a tough go. I think the heat really stuck it to a lot of guys. Jeremy had his first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hiccup</span> of the year with some bad luck loosing a contact lens, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pedal</span> issues and more. But being the class act he is, he took took on the job of team soigneur, handing out much needed water bottles. The day wasn't a total loss though. The elder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rowand</span>, Steve put together a solid race on a course the suited him well and out ran some fast guys for a podium place.........3rd. Great work Steve!<br /><br />After I bonked I was ready to call it quites after the 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> lap cause I was sweltering hot, low on fluids and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">hurt'n</span> bad. But after a good water dousing from Benji and his wife and my pure <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stubbornness</span>, I was able to keep going to at least finish. And half a lap later when I was dangerously close to running out of water Jeremy was trail side with a bottle and a gel. You saved my life dude. Thanks! After that I was able to pass a few guys back so I wasn't going to be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">DFL</span>. I made it. No <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">mechanicals</span> or flats and a finish so it was better than the last two races. Now I just need a course that fits me a little better.<br /><br />It's funny how I hurt so much and wanted to give up but some how I still had a good time and wanted to keep riding after the finish. Must be the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">endorphins</span> I'm addicted to.<br /><br />When it was awards time I think everyone there took home something. By the end J.R. was tossing swag like a he was a bike parade. Always fun when that happens. Thanks for a great race J.R. and sponsors. I think uncle Mike will be proud.<br /><br />July will be full of fun for Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowMan</span>+:<br /><br />Barbour <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">DeTour</span><br />Race to Lil' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moes</span><br />WV State Champ.<br />Valley Falls<br /><br />Check out the new <a href="http://www.wvmba.com/2009-standings.php?race_class=1">WVMBA Point Series Standings</a>. Steve'o made a nice jump into 2nd place right behind Jeremy in 1st. The rest of the crew is scattered within the top ten. Look'n good boys. Don't let it go to your head though, still 10 more exciting races to go.<br /><br />See ya at the races,<br />Josh<br /><br />Sorry no pics. Forgot the camara. Maybe I can come up with some later on. But who wants to see more pics of us anyway? Anyone?Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-32310406203042390002009-06-19T15:15:00.023-04:002009-06-20T09:07:13.725-04:00June UpdateFirst thing to be updated is the road race from the Tour of Tucker Co. Josh and I were the only 2 ROWMANia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga9uT_8Faqvlbo4k6sN5HyZ4jwCmzBGzQxBEnvK27bLQA73lg88-Lg1ISVnvn8xb1akCBzaV8zIun5i9eG7ye7rCm8lsybowmvCytJiGa7iY_WAC1VaFGQK1TiB4faM6e8Q7ACm7Oqe4/s1600-h/josh.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349133099838360786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga9uT_8Faqvlbo4k6sN5HyZ4jwCmzBGzQxBEnvK27bLQA73lg88-Lg1ISVnvn8xb1akCBzaV8zIun5i9eG7ye7rCm8lsybowmvCytJiGa7iY_WAC1VaFGQK1TiB4faM6e8Q7ACm7Oqe4/s200/josh.jpg" border="0" /></a>ns to take part in this Killer event, and yes I said Killer because thats just what it was! There was a good turn out around 160+ total, and with about 50 in are Pro4/5 class. We started at the bottom of the Mountain. Right from the start the the pace was pretty fast... no one was messing around here. I tried to stay around the front to get the legs warmed up from a rest week. We made the right and headed up the first major climb. A couple of Solay3 guys were setting tempo up front so I sucked in behind there wheels, in 3rd . Well boys and girls, this is where it was over for me and a lot of other riders... about half way up the climb I just could not respond. So I let off the gas alittle bit and let them go. Josh and Robbie L. came up beside me. Joshs was looking fairly strong. I suck some wheel for a little bit, and then let them go on. I thought no reason to kill myself, lets just make this a good day for a bike ride in the great countyside. I wished them well and off they went.<br /><div><div></div><div>So I kept spinning the wheels, and a few mins later I could see Robbie again so we started riding together and having a good time killin' the downhills. Man can that boy ride! He made me scare my self a few times as we hit 48.5 mph on one of them... kinda crazy when theres<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7LhnXNranTqx-9lgigkmLzMtUkkon2eJpMvVReeywFq2WfZo_sZXQIy9pO5PB5LCegNrfsHbCn-gEWaF4R0oF7F97tdoBrddJzDnx7_o_hti4yMjcmpKDgF5A5X82s0njLUnmr8o2JE/s1600-h/tt+nate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349168302979767890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7LhnXNranTqx-9lgigkmLzMtUkkon2eJpMvVReeywFq2WfZo_sZXQIy9pO5PB5LCegNrfsHbCn-gEWaF4R0oF7F97tdoBrddJzDnx7_o_hti4yMjcmpKDgF5A5X82s0njLUnmr8o2JE/s200/tt+nate.jpg" border="0" /></a> gravel and grass in the rode. Anyway, Robbie and I contiued to have a great ride as we hit the bottom of the last major climb, Sugarlands. It's stupid steep and long... Yea it's pretty dumb, but great. As we were coming to the bottom of the climb, a couple people came up behind us, and I decided the legs are feeling good. I finally opened them up a little and to see what I had. Well I was able to put over 5 minutes on the group. I was with, and pass over 20 people up. It made me feel alittle better about myself for the day. Josh pulled out like 17th, think I was 21st. All in all, a good day for a bike ride on some great WV Mountain Roads. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Next up, The 24hrs of Big Bear... well, for this year's addition it was just me. I found me a spot on the WVMBA Dream Team Roster, along side <a href="http://team-bi-atch.blogspot.com/">Chris M</a>., Gunner S., and Steve H. All very fast guys, and I had some big shoes to fill to being on this team. I met Steve H. on Friday night to camp in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCmlwYHyuAsDXFor28zGejSn0JS26bDRvsBUG0d8W0XE8YnCO1XwAJxP7vTYP9kvfJ9jF9zas0Z6JGDMgsoT-ElI8R0hYK1lxX2MpPg5mOa-frJ1ItE_l6gj4cpVVvzSP-eeHnQ69Tak/s1600-h/565042894_L3bvk-M.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349144532780876834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCmlwYHyuAsDXFor28zGejSn0JS26bDRvsBUG0d8W0XE8YnCO1XwAJxP7vTYP9kvfJ9jF9zas0Z6JGDMgsoT-ElI8R0hYK1lxX2MpPg5mOa-frJ1ItE_l6gj4cpVVvzSP-eeHnQ69Tak/s200/565042894_L3bvk-M.jpg" border="0" /></a>the oh so pro suite in same spot as last year. We got there around 6pm to set up camp, and to go out for about an hour to spin the legs out. The course was fairly muddy. We just hoped it would dry out for the next day. The night club kept it interesting all night as always. The next day, noon rolls around and we somehow suckered Chris into running the first lap. He turned in a good first lap top 10, and then off rolled Gunner. He smoked a lap out and we were now setting in 2nd exp at this point. I took out on a pretty good pace, but not killer...just trying to catch the 360 team from Kansas that was leading us. As I hit the final climb before the rock garden I could see him ahead. I made the pass on the climb and got a good little gap. He closed the gap on the next down hill and we rode together to the rock garden. As soon as I got there, I wasted no time and ran the garden and got another little gap on him. I was then able to get out of his sight up the climb which puts us in 1st exp 3rd overall. When I came in on that lap, I handed off to Steve H. He got out and turned a super fast lap and put us into 1st overall. From that point we never looked back. We did get some heat in the middle of the night from the <a href="http://www.360racing.org/home.html">360</a> and <a href="http://wvnightclub.blogspot.com/">WV Night club </a>boys, but we opened the gap back up the next morning. Gunner went out and took are last parade lap. He had a couple flats but no Heart Attacks so we were able to take the win by around 20mins. The Womens Dreamteam was able to pick up the win, and girled almost every team out there... Good Job Girls! Thanks and Congrats to JR for setting up this killer team and his team for winning the full grown man class. </div><div></div><div>Thanks to <a href="http://www.spokeart.com/">Robbie L</a> for keepin the superfly and hifi running all night long! </div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYUCZSJMts7L8ZzxzfpQVgUxP2tXdZw4S0fHswkPC_p9YRbD6QwUHOIdqqLpLY6F1G-haOsGEdHKPLo9OkIolPYRzgtBACRACN2wyMDyYm1_2A8urQy_hR31qgBBT6yN-DrY9entpQv8/s1600-h/bb+pic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349198328526901666" style="WIDTH: 361px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYUCZSJMts7L8ZzxzfpQVgUxP2tXdZw4S0fHswkPC_p9YRbD6QwUHOIdqqLpLY6F1G-haOsGEdHKPLo9OkIolPYRzgtBACRACN2wyMDyYm1_2A8urQy_hR31qgBBT6yN-DrY9entpQv8/s320/bb+pic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />photos by Theresa Svoboda<br /><div></div><br /><div>Next up for team Rowman+ </div><br /><div>Appalachian Classic </div><br /><div>Barbour DeTour </div><br /><div>Race to lil Moe's Place </div><br /><div>Product Review: Raced a new pair of <a href="http://www.bontrager.com/model/07814">Bontrager Race X Lite </a>Mtb Shoes for the 24hr race. Never got a chance to wear them before the race so was a little scared but they performed flawlessly. Put 50+ fast miles on them and the feet felt great. No hot spots, sores, or blisters. </div><br /><div></div><div>Rock on Nate</div><div></div>Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905737785288766987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-58587628734167318872009-06-02T07:56:00.011-04:002009-06-05T10:33:38.873-04:00Creek to Peak to PodiumWell guys and girls super J was able to pull out another victory last Sunday at WVMBA #4, the Creek to Peak in Eleanor, WV.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhF6PPoLqUhdNFKlw2FgBLYqbUlzCaijzRhIlzmOIReUqRUDL7FF-z_lF-7pyW-7lCTB_Js95kN7Law9fu2ltSlMW9lYSpkpNnkKQeGk01h9Ktan9qIuf852mW-DKdikmeE2DQ4xMnEnY/s1600-h/IMG_1593.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343843472705754546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhF6PPoLqUhdNFKlw2FgBLYqbUlzCaijzRhIlzmOIReUqRUDL7FF-z_lF-7pyW-7lCTB_Js95kN7Law9fu2ltSlMW9lYSpkpNnkKQeGk01h9Ktan9qIuf852mW-DKdikmeE2DQ4xMnEnY/s200/IMG_1593.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The brothers and I headed down Sat. after work and set up base camp at Ma and Pa Chappy's place which is only about 30 minutes from the race. We were treated to a great nutritious breakfast by mama Chappy, got to play with the puppies and kitties, then got on the road. Made the short drive over the hill and arrived around 10 am with plenty of prep time.<br /><br />It was clear it was going to be another slogger with lots of mud and wetness. The area got some heavy t-storms the night before so, there was plenty of standing water around the venue. But the sun was shining and temps were warm and yes it was race day........Game on.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-U9tLUbN2SVlQmVMIhjLweUWDHqBhLzSjzHDne7J6bSTHVvwe8eoukJGHgdouzsgHzeovwhuJC0VMDEpg3_VhNu8mTZYmOCLu0kGiSFQnm7ifTlcnlxYziQKXBz4vyYQIVgLM1_7Gx2Q/s1600-h/IMG_1596.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343842939939228882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-U9tLUbN2SVlQmVMIhjLweUWDHqBhLzSjzHDne7J6bSTHVvwe8eoukJGHgdouzsgHzeovwhuJC0VMDEpg3_VhNu8mTZYmOCLu0kGiSFQnm7ifTlcnlxYziQKXBz4vyYQIVgLM1_7Gx2Q/s200/IMG_1596.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzS14II6npNoFU5W4jFJyYjgkuKLwKYcwKCUGN4uw5nNiIyVuXhgnr9zHXhyphenhyphenhKtzZ9SHayIM1knqwh9Dr4UvWHC7E08v9NT73jhIvLeDCFn4_I9zMYpoc1RSJWzv0CbDpCfgVVxt0aieE/s1600-h/IMG_1599.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343842944478980066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzS14II6npNoFU5W4jFJyYjgkuKLwKYcwKCUGN4uw5nNiIyVuXhgnr9zHXhyphenhyphenhKtzZ9SHayIM1knqwh9Dr4UvWHC7E08v9NT73jhIvLeDCFn4_I9zMYpoc1RSJWzv0CbDpCfgVVxt0aieE/s200/IMG_1599.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The whole team was able to make it down for this one. Ryan and Nate ran the short track race on Sat. evening with Nate getting 3rd behind Nick Waite and Ben Ortt. Ryan had some bad luck and flatted out.<br /><br />XC race.......There was a bit of funny stuff off the start caused by some of the course markings from the short track still being up. After the start the whole expert class ended up back at the start minutes after we left. The sporters had started by that time and after a quick restart we were off for real. There was a nice pull along a paved road and then a left onto the trails. This was about the time we caught up with the sport group. This made for some interesting congestion as experts riders were trying to get around the sport guys. Some were willing to give way and other were determined to race the expert class. Just tried to be patient and pass when I could. I was around Steve and Ryan so I was in good company.<br /><br />The trails were wet and muddy and the twisty single track made things interesting. There was a nice long climb to start things out. I was able to keep Ryan and Steve in sight for most of it but by the time I got to the top a slow leak in my rear tire made my rear tire unridable. Time for a some more air, but to my surprise the Big Air strapped to my seat post decided to jump ship. Shit! I had no back up pump so I was out of luck with no means to inflate a tire.<br /><br />So I started walking.........more like stomping the course. Had to walk for about 45 min till I got to a point where I could cut down the hill. I ran into Theresa Svoboda taking pics for iplay and a couple of spectators who had a pump. As I was standing beside the trail slowly changing my tire Jeremy came flying around the corner. I let out a loud "hell yeah" cause I knew he was riding in first. I didn't see the 2nd expert (Nick Waite) till a few minutes later. Looked like Jeremy was going in for the win as long as nothing tragic happened.<br /><br />I got the tire ridable again and just at that time Steve came around the turn, seconds behind 4th place Steve Hill. So, I jumped on his wheel and tried to motivate Steve to pull himself up a place. He put on a hard chase but was unable to catch Hill. Good effort dude.<br /><br />After stopping to give Jeremy a big man hug for the win I went the finish to finalize my DNF. But I wasn't the only one that had a tough day. Ryan had some mechanical issues but was able to finish. Nate took a nasty spill and knocked a leg and shoulder out a whack and had to DNF as well.<br /><br />Even with all the misfortune, the trip was still worth while since Jermey got win #3 of the year beating some fast competition. He sits atop the point series standings and with Steve and Ryan getting solid finishes they both grabbed a chunk of series points. Great job Team RowManians.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTDSnx5mvDe1601wpecmA7q16nSHvZW96zncWLHBdlG651dyXcAwJ3PoqHG-yTHSdXdZlzH84c0RfPbsFA9lHxHZa3RaOcRXYBBw2RuTyU41m7S4TY6n4lBdGYHpOfuH-jH34wWbEwAmN/s1600-h/IMG_1618.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343844112182197746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTDSnx5mvDe1601wpecmA7q16nSHvZW96zncWLHBdlG651dyXcAwJ3PoqHG-yTHSdXdZlzH84c0RfPbsFA9lHxHZa3RaOcRXYBBw2RuTyU41m7S4TY6n4lBdGYHpOfuH-jH34wWbEwAmN/s200/IMG_1618.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcybjs4sbcwi6GlJT_YRF-SWwcuoucrsgJ4S3nDaladIV9MXsOjRwBykRFDJV982WM789-m5_5MGPIrCx5dDVYJsiolmwIRvqlevhyphenhyphenmGweeRGq6luyCqw5Q_zkO72RgAFyThdgDsieMCoG/s1600-h/IMG_1603.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343843476219190786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcybjs4sbcwi6GlJT_YRF-SWwcuoucrsgJ4S3nDaladIV9MXsOjRwBykRFDJV982WM789-m5_5MGPIrCx5dDVYJsiolmwIRvqlevhyphenhyphenmGweeRGq6luyCqw5Q_zkO72RgAFyThdgDsieMCoG/s200/IMG_1603.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">"Jeremy collecting his loot and enjoying a winners shot"<br /></span><br />Next up for the team:<br />Tour of Tucker County<br />Ryan doing XXC at Massanutten<br />Nate doing 24hrs of Big Bear on this years version of the WVMBA Dream Team<br />Then Appy Classic WVMBA #5<br /><br />See ya at the races,<br />later,<br />Josh<br /><br />Gear point of the week:<br />Jeremy says the Bontrager Mud X performed like a champ in the wet muddy conditions and is definitely a good choice for the sloppy trails.Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-27934972043339755582009-05-28T21:27:00.003-04:002009-05-28T21:56:26.444-04:00Wet N Wild<div><div>Team RowMan+ got some tough man miles in the last couple of days.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Wednesday we couldn't make the Wednesday Night'r so we put together our own ride. Strong group of riders (Steve, Jeremy, Nate, Robbie and myself) headed out to do Fort Martin/Taylertown loop with Bobtown climb thrown in for some fun. Started out with a pretty steady rain to get things nice and wet and maintained a nice drizzle for awhile. For anyone that doesn't know, those road are not the cleanest in wet conditions thanks to the coal mines. Check out the filthy group after a couple hours in the wet.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EPlA4bArHKG52Sg8YWr8LV6zK7ZmkxASPcwellwc60hb-zzVHa5QApoCcu76MxEXPD1WWgh1WWWCPshRhf12-1ANeUTBH0quKJIyLcNZkdV6Gc57MdrPT6QzDoQ4LwMY3McYhZLfxojK/s1600-h/IMG00082.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341057534825840130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EPlA4bArHKG52Sg8YWr8LV6zK7ZmkxASPcwellwc60hb-zzVHa5QApoCcu76MxEXPD1WWgh1WWWCPshRhf12-1ANeUTBH0quKJIyLcNZkdV6Gc57MdrPT6QzDoQ4LwMY3McYhZLfxojK/s200/IMG00082.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Today was the Thursday Shop ride. I headed out a little early to catch up on some ride time. Got some rain early but it didn't really make it through the canopy. Trails were in good condition with a bit of mud but not enough to make it greasy. The HiFi was feeling especially dialed in. Hooked up with the group at the usual time. Attendees: Colin, Jeremy, Nate, Robbie, Jake, Bala and Ryan P.</div><br /><div></div><div>We started out going up Spaghetti <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97EK1uLZak4O6TpEdEU-tVOh1lLF8VQaWNMBt4rCdZJEBiHtthkodAhoW2jNHiddsxQZXJ2o5z4wQ8HX2YsKR_S6uqPcqmwcsFyBcNFuzqsc4h8rMYEYoW2IiTJhtI1VCytEMheI9A_Hw/s1600-h/IMG00086.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341057539732555458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97EK1uLZak4O6TpEdEU-tVOh1lLF8VQaWNMBt4rCdZJEBiHtthkodAhoW2jNHiddsxQZXJ2o5z4wQ8HX2YsKR_S6uqPcqmwcsFyBcNFuzqsc4h8rMYEYoW2IiTJhtI1VCytEMheI9A_Hw/s200/IMG00086.jpg" /></a>which is always a challenging way to start out a ride. After stopping for a flat change it was on to break in the new trail a lil more. Jake did some leading after that and kept the pace up. Look'n strong kid!.........Then the new trail in opposite direction and then the sky opened up. Thunder, lightning and hard winds. Not a good combination in the woods. We had a real interesting decent to the gate but all the troops made in in one piece.</div><div> </div><div>The team will be heading down to Eleanor, WV for WVMBA#4, Creek to Peak. The brothers and I will be turning Ma and Pa Chappy's place into a biking Bed and Breakfast since they live about 30 min. away. Sweet, short drive on race day.</div><div> </div><div>See ya at the races,</div><div>Later,</div><div>Josh</div></div>Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-64679887199138910692009-05-21T21:13:00.007-04:002009-05-22T10:14:45.269-04:00Good Weather...Good Ride'n....Good BeerLife is good.......Things have been looking up this week. Along with the vast improvement in the weather I've been able to shake off the after effects of the hog flu and get back on the weekday rides. <div><div><div></div><div></div><div>Tuesday was a duo ride with Super J out around Preston County. Started by going up Summer School Road, which is a wicked cool climb, then out to the Kingwood Pike and around the WVU Research Farm. From there it was Reedsville, Masontown, Snake Hill and back into Sabraton. There was some talk about heading out to Pt. Marion after Snake Hill but it was determined there was not enough day light or gas in the tank. Great ride in full sunshine, except when I got bombed by a bird. He got me real good, from stem to seat post........yuck!</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Wednesday I made it out to the Wednesday Night'r ride for the first time in quite awhile. With another day of great weather the roadies showed up in force. I heard there were 29 riders in the group. A new ride record from what I've been told.......awesome! I had some Team RowMan boys in attendance to work with. Steve and Nate were there to keep me safe and pull me around. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>The group did a neutral roll out down the rail trail to Star City, across the bridge and over to Rt. 100. When the pace heated up there was a pretty good paceline working and the group was moving along smoothly especially considering the size and the conditions of the road. I hit the gas a bit on the Lazelle Hill and got away from the group, got passed by the forever strong Gunnar and Steve with Adam A. and Sexy Leggs Jimmy on up the road. Over the top hit the big ring and pumped out some giga watts but couldn't pull in the two hammer heads in.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>After the regroup, I set out the state line sprint cause I wasn't feeling comfortable hammering it out in a large tight group. Going up Big Shannon the attacks came pretty hard but a lot of riders were able to hang on the front end. Me thinks people are getting faster and stronger, very cool! I was in the red the whole way out but stayed with the top dogs while we tried to chase down Nate and Jimmy who got out on a break. I think Nate got the first to the end award but maybe Jimmy. I can't remember, no oxygen in the brain. Adam was there and of course Gunnar, Steve and myself. Not a bad group to be in. The return trip had some good pacing with my boy Steve doing more than his share of pulling. Steve and I ended up battling it out for the end of Big Shannon sprint. He threw me a bone and let me get the line. After the Rt. 19 climb and regroup it was a high speed decent back into Osage, Westover and down to the trail. What a bad A ride. Fast, fun and a good workout. Good job everyone who kept it safe and fast.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSlCoOe0Ou87SONHTeARd_oSNbxcQcavBJLYEr7K7Hs_5AGAsZDjnr0ouiToBmtDUVvNO4wv7LdOy55bZLdt-ERSJyNzodCV2n4kfHbvBlO1ecCQ1q-QD93qyBZXFI2rN6QiK3XtiokTG/s1600-h/IMG00072.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338467926329393394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSlCoOe0Ou87SONHTeARd_oSNbxcQcavBJLYEr7K7Hs_5AGAsZDjnr0ouiToBmtDUVvNO4wv7LdOy55bZLdt-ERSJyNzodCV2n4kfHbvBlO1ecCQ1q-QD93qyBZXFI2rN6QiK3XtiokTG/s200/IMG00072.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rS6cmM_ZpjaHkzVPRhTu5nyz1IK1-9Tjrp2Dka8Rj1vAfWwZSoGHChb2k_FEk3xOBCXgFkQt7rF-xq1V4T_NpKwCN1BYkCGUJFcbNYXMtrHMuj__bbEsuxQZZKSQ-YufYL860_ST7mp1/s1600-h/IMG00078.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338467936805704386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rS6cmM_ZpjaHkzVPRhTu5nyz1IK1-9Tjrp2Dka8Rj1vAfWwZSoGHChb2k_FEk3xOBCXgFkQt7rF-xq1V4T_NpKwCN1BYkCGUJFcbNYXMtrHMuj__bbEsuxQZZKSQ-YufYL860_ST7mp1/s200/IMG00078.jpg" /></a><br />Today, was the Thursday night shop ride at Bakers. More great weather brought out another large group. There were 12 at the gate for the start, which is a good showing for the ride. Attendees: Team RowMan+ (Steve, Jeremy, Ryan, Josh), Robbie, Sean Z., Jake, Bala, Andrew, Ryan P. and his lady friend and a dude on a SS who's name I didn't get. Trails were in great shape. Very little mud but still a little tack for traction. Hit up lots of trails, with a new one thrown into the mix. The trail ferry put a new trail up on top, its tight and technical and in my opinion has good promise. Also, hit up a couple of the newer gnarly down hills. The HiFi performed above and beyond my expectations. I didn't even notice those rock gardens. Had a great time with a good group. Thanks to all who showed up and threw down.</div><div></div><div></div><div>So after 3 great days of riding I invited an old friend over who just came into town. Welcome to West by God Yuengling my friend.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFbmEl5K3IoCwf9dN2EUJU10wz2w_Av67eHlSKMb6OmeyZCjI25Q2MPk-u2UM5Hji9siUXKjIGBCSF6HlMPhOI1h9oeYewbyJytnXYCHw6CZpHqIo93og48zkiODbvCDok4NpKCnQN2hyphenhyphen/s1600-h/IMG00081.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468276015437346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFbmEl5K3IoCwf9dN2EUJU10wz2w_Av67eHlSKMb6OmeyZCjI25Q2MPk-u2UM5Hji9siUXKjIGBCSF6HlMPhOI1h9oeYewbyJytnXYCHw6CZpHqIo93og48zkiODbvCDok4NpKCnQN2hyphenhyphen/s200/IMG00081.jpg" /></a><br />Have a great Holiday weekend, I know I will.</div><div>Power to the pedals,</div><div>later,</div><div>Josh</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>P.S. Pictures from Tour de Lake. Not on iplay.</div><div><a href="http://favorites.smugmug.com/gallery/8221844_LJbBE#538908411_DCvFg">http://favorites.smugmug.com/gallery/8221844_LJbBE#538908411_DCvFg</a></div></div></div>Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-36050817767042962742009-05-18T21:01:00.009-04:002009-05-18T22:37:34.038-04:00Victory @ Tour de Lake<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWficUPmmJJhqdRRy8bXQ3auwvJCJO9eX3E-AAtDcOJr5KssqBMRgSEn0nbRifa9Z-1NlzUeJmFEHrtRVsQ35mQh-Ha1WjaS0yIQ3JPRxPrX3wh8r9P6MmkVo4_exao-LHgpxYkW72W5z/s1600-h/IMG_1437.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337354858717529266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWficUPmmJJhqdRRy8bXQ3auwvJCJO9eX3E-AAtDcOJr5KssqBMRgSEn0nbRifa9Z-1NlzUeJmFEHrtRVsQ35mQh-Ha1WjaS0yIQ3JPRxPrX3wh8r9P6MmkVo4_exao-LHgpxYkW72W5z/s320/IMG_1437.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ2K-N8-dmQXQKWBbMEIRqifB6vqIqtqUYu8d8mofofyPfwJgLJ_PZ3ooQ6XAvWNz0oZJXTU-5kuy4eY2yR6P-uDQsoLrWfTyHnc8PLNFhkMrBVBqFuu86ZJBSg3cYoW6wJ-TKjoKeFLq/s1600-h/IMG_1432.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Team RowMan+ brings home the $ @ Tour de Lake.</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Jeremy came through with win number 2 of this young season. The team headed down to Spencer, WV this weekend for WVMBA #3. We were one short cause Coach had some family obligations and couldn't make the trip...........Props to Myra for getting her Masters.</span></div><div> </div><div>It was another cold, wet day in the WVMBA series, but again there was improvement over the '08 season. There was significantly less mud and water this time around. The temps were a bit lower, especially early on. However, just after the start the sun came out and brought it up to optimal racing temp. </div><div> </div><div>The start time got pushed back a half hour so, the flag didn't drop until 12:30. The start was a lil different this year. We lined up just short of the road climb going up the dam to the upper parking lot. I thought we started further down the road last year before we hit the uber steep road climb but I could be wrong. It was pretty tight going up the climb and through the parking lot. I didn't get a great start, got pinched on the start. I was probably around mid-pack and I could see Jeremy and Nate closer to the front and could feel Steve on my wheel. After the parking lot we went onto a brand new section of trail instead of going up the fire road. It was a nice trail but things were still a little crowed to squeeze everyone onto some single track. Add to that the greasy wet sections on a climb and that equalled a line of racers hiking up the hill.<br /></div><div>After I got off the new trail and back on the fire road I could no longer see Jeremy and Nate's group, lost too much time stuck in traffic and pushing my bike. Once on the fire road I popped it in the big ring and took advantage of the flat terrain to get around a few folks before the single track. When I hit the single track I was feeling a little better about my position and focused on the tight single track and staying in my zone. I got around a couple more then Steve Hill came around me. I was happy to see him cause I knew he is familiar with the trails and would be a good wheel to follow. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>Then, I got wrench thrown into my plans. Well, more like a small stick. The little bastard jumped right into my cassette and womped my derailleur tab.............Dang! Bad luck........It got me good cause I could only stay in a couple of the middle cogs. So, I stopped to switch out tabs.........Double Dang!.........I forgot to pack a wrench that could would work on the reassessed derailleur bolt. I tried to bend it back a bit with little success. At this point all the experts had passed by me and most of the sport guys. Eventually, I was able to bum a wrench and got a new tab on. By this time could see the beginners coming up the trail. I was way back. I considered throwing in the towel for a second then I thought what the hell, I'd just go out and have a good time. I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RGZWcAbpKpfAg0vP1O8tFN22XOwxrjeImxuYzvOBv-YY0O2AIRkhLj5jTX8bap1VDlyrNas2KCLETSHzNRtG6861q6q4ELEzxy0-FDGWOhWxYELPw3q6cKUqnSvKC8w-QDIqu2812XAk/s1600-h/IMG_1442.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337355312355816130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RGZWcAbpKpfAg0vP1O8tFN22XOwxrjeImxuYzvOBv-YY0O2AIRkhLj5jTX8bap1VDlyrNas2KCLETSHzNRtG6861q6q4ELEzxy0-FDGWOhWxYELPw3q6cKUqnSvKC8w-QDIqu2812XAk/s200/IMG_1442.JPG" /></a> figured I was at least in contention for some series points. So off I went.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>There was lots of traffic but I tried to be patient and pass when it was safe. The rest of my race was pretty uneventful. Completed the first lap and was feeling good and kept it up climbing the fire road on the second lap. Once on top hit the big ring and cranked it out. At that point I was determined not to be last in the expert class. It was all about pride at that point. I finially finished in just over 2:20 and 10th in men's expert. Sweet.........got some series points.</div><div> </div><div>That was my first mechanical of the year. Last year at this point I had more than I could count. Improvement is good. Evan though I lost about 15-20 min and was off the back, I still had a good time and enjoyed riding the sweet trails around Charles Fork Lake.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>The rest of the team did well. As previously mentioned, Jeremy took home the gold with a time of 1:43.........That's moving man! Great job J. I think the new hair-do cut off some time.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJXpkP0giz5aduj6FAHhg7CVNlADLriNbluJmLNnbnYykl1HEPuES4weDDhxT_M-FdDeVHQfuvBYRXxc8G_a7PCi8_hDBfovPxvRT_8OIBI4qJM9W7KwtVf4dMJp9bUrVaESscccSFNuJ/s1600-h/IMG_1441.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337353361591245234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJXpkP0giz5aduj6FAHhg7CVNlADLriNbluJmLNnbnYykl1HEPuES4weDDhxT_M-FdDeVHQfuvBYRXxc8G_a7PCi8_hDBfovPxvRT_8OIBI4qJM9W7KwtVf4dMJp9bUrVaESscccSFNuJ/s320/IMG_1441.JPG" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>Nate pulled out a 4th and Steve came in 6th. Nice work boys.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3DcK5jKdUOcU0E51hNPi48jWbG72orKl5tTBy26Y_jIax3-ZBcTOWF2DkMGqWsLYwp5cYaWaqZTD0FZekvr-DxMUoKdT0hoR_1_HLs-KabZ3zJeufX1Zx7lBVvT2_OElTxMO1pmpJS2S/s1600-h/IMG_1463.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337353624503564866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3DcK5jKdUOcU0E51hNPi48jWbG72orKl5tTBy26Y_jIax3-ZBcTOWF2DkMGqWsLYwp5cYaWaqZTD0FZekvr-DxMUoKdT0hoR_1_HLs-KabZ3zJeufX1Zx7lBVvT2_OElTxMO1pmpJS2S/s320/IMG_1463.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>So, that makes 4 victories for Team RowMan+ thus far this season. Looks like all those hours in the cold and ice and trainer time this winter is paying off. Hard work does pay off kids.<br /></div><div> </div><div>Next stop, Creek to Peak. </div><div>See ya at the races,</div><div>Later,</div><div>Josh</div></div></div></div></div>Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-51519842850708415432009-05-14T09:53:00.016-04:002009-05-14T18:48:38.492-04:00Ryan's 12 hr RacingI have managed to gorge myself on some fine events completing 6 races in the last 6 weeks. In this early season bike racing binge I found myself headed to the 12hr Creek to Peak race in Elanor, WV. This past weekend was a race that I had long awaited. I wanted to squeeze in a 12hr race last season but couldn’t make it to any in the neighboring states. Once I realized the Dub-V was going to play host to one, I knew I had to have some of it.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfms3vLtRp2NpLDW3MJ0HzXAFM_eyYCaZekW2D2s6vZG__9mCC2b68WYUXSm4L9TZ6XJFGVjaogaQeh5eChIEeVp8p4XZd3vNuZowGoGgT54CsH_SOylJRVdtZ7hTJIcg4ncZ1eEJHdCyG/s1600-h/HPIM2205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335677784424709698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfms3vLtRp2NpLDW3MJ0HzXAFM_eyYCaZekW2D2s6vZG__9mCC2b68WYUXSm4L9TZ6XJFGVjaogaQeh5eChIEeVp8p4XZd3vNuZowGoGgT54CsH_SOylJRVdtZ7hTJIcg4ncZ1eEJHdCyG/s200/HPIM2205.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My preparation consisted of...well secret workouts that I just can’t release to the public, the purchasing of my not so secret weapon-a hot new GF Superfly, a marathon race, and few months of planning and practicing my nutrition strategy. I was a going to be a newbie to the 12hr scene, but from early this year I planned on being a competitor for this specific event. I periodized my training to go into the event with a 2 week taper, this would provide me with some much needed rest and allow for maximal performance during the race.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflElDKTsvcBzZp-J4THd_fsXIK8vyELbjBH7JMOUuIECp6ETAP-kZYloB1RNsJsWA62agwiyG7sCACd91tjyMThwckhjYjUXfOA2E_Nhg-WFwmU4pxnbajRsNvi7AEV4Iy4cjyDAfRido/s1600-h/HPIM2208.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335677786502890626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflElDKTsvcBzZp-J4THd_fsXIK8vyELbjBH7JMOUuIECp6ETAP-kZYloB1RNsJsWA62agwiyG7sCACd91tjyMThwckhjYjUXfOA2E_Nhg-WFwmU4pxnbajRsNvi7AEV4Iy4cjyDAfRido/s200/HPIM2208.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Post-Mountmud, I attempted to get my bike in order, but also worked longer hours so that I could take off on Friday before the race. Thus, I found myself doing a final tune-up on the racing rig Friday morning. During the tuning process I couldn’t get my rear brake to tighten up. The pads seemed to not be auto-adjusting as usual with my hydraulic system. I figured I would swing by the LBS (Wamsley’s) on my way out of town for some form of a quick fix. I am new to all this fancy stuff, crazy hydraulic disc brakes...last year I raced with old school v-brakes. Anyhoo, I prepped on by organizing my food and bottles. I pre-prepped my drink mix so the support crew, #1 Wifey, would just need to add water and shake. Other preps consisted of multiple pairs of glasses, shorts, socks, and jerseys. I had some spare parts in the mix: tubes, big airs, a tire, a derailleur, a derailleur tab, and some cables.<br /><br /><div>I strolled into the LBS around 3:30 Friday afternoon. After some conversing with the boys, I pulled out my pads to inspect’em for wear. Well, I had plenty so that wasn’t the issue. I pushed the pistons in, re-inserted the pads and pumped the lever to see if the pads would re-adjust, a procedure I performed twice in the garage without any luck. Presto, maybe I just needed to be in the presence of some fine wrenches; my system adjusted and I headed back up to the counter on my way out. While talking to Jeremy at the counter I continued to squeeze the lever. Crap, the brake was fading and eventually the lever was going to the handlebar again!! Of course, it couldn’t be that easy. I headed back to the stand and after some inspection found the problem. The system was leaking at the lever ever so slightly. After some more conversing with the boys, the wonderful fellow Jeremy offered up a spare off the bike he had commuted in on for the day. Jeremy was making the race possible - he was already allowing me to borrow his light system in case mine failed, and he now offered up his brake. Thanks Jeremy; you’re awesome!!! After some quick work around the shop and taking up two bike stands at a time I managed to finish the swap and head out of town ~5:30.</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRmiWUKqvYQmxR57ZuaZlVU-uf61H1EPvW8UBHkXf0tKV_hvig099u_lFonQPdGvU-TTap4PfUnx1iwKJYHbzbpSD1vzjpm-AfYG7wZuRKnrO9VkHz3u5geGU0V2-rwIkbLJ1pcBGwti9/s1600-h/HPIM2210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335678328096290562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRmiWUKqvYQmxR57ZuaZlVU-uf61H1EPvW8UBHkXf0tKV_hvig099u_lFonQPdGvU-TTap4PfUnx1iwKJYHbzbpSD1vzjpm-AfYG7wZuRKnrO9VkHz3u5geGU0V2-rwIkbLJ1pcBGwti9/s200/HPIM2210.JPG" border="0" /></a>And then there was rain!!! About 15 mi out of Charleston the sky began falling and fell harder and harder and harder. By the time we cruised into the race venue I really didn’t want to get out of the car to register. After a quick dash over and around quickly forming puddles I finally found a familiar face. JR was pitching his tent in the barn to avoid the washout; good thinkin’ JR, much better than waking up in a puddle. I asked him about registration and after some conversing with the director Larry Perkins, I found out registration was going to take place in the morning. I thought I could get it done between 7-10 the night before the race, but no biggie - I could just knock it out in the A.M. I hopped back in the car and we headed out. On the way to the Wifey’s folks house we met several high water spots, thankfully nothing that wasn’t passable.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKlEnmtWh0cU7QcvXbhdRM084rVcc85nMi-sTP-8LJL98C_nq58mlHI6R78XFR4rnq1T6Sbo9vsO0rkxdXbFDIwipNHDamBKQaM1O9Tdh5JfoUke81azGxHFvCqMd4NP-TkeKD5egeeGx/s1600-h/HPIM2209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335678322577954818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKlEnmtWh0cU7QcvXbhdRM084rVcc85nMi-sTP-8LJL98C_nq58mlHI6R78XFR4rnq1T6Sbo9vsO0rkxdXbFDIwipNHDamBKQaM1O9Tdh5JfoUke81azGxHFvCqMd4NP-TkeKD5egeeGx/s200/HPIM2209.JPG" border="0" /></a>After some evening stretching I had a quick catch of the weather and news. It seemed that the eastern half of the state was under a flash flood watch...oh goody, more mud. I really had to play some mind games convincing myself that tomorrow was going to be muddy but it would still be fun, right? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd_Lm0oOfjJz0qH7cc3QbrJm4bA5BzH7gJiSv3SffMiTd78iv9zDRwWMP7R6LezuRIJfTfwYKHzVXNf4oD7XBt2KkikusVLkTveMlJ1JKkVh8kB-B5atD2QXZ8FRmhoMpHNoG8kh8p4Zs/s1600-h/HPIM2216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335679150370759538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd_Lm0oOfjJz0qH7cc3QbrJm4bA5BzH7gJiSv3SffMiTd78iv9zDRwWMP7R6LezuRIJfTfwYKHzVXNf4oD7XBt2KkikusVLkTveMlJ1JKkVh8kB-B5atD2QXZ8FRmhoMpHNoG8kh8p4Zs/s200/HPIM2216.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I had my usual breakfast of coffee, oats, and toast with PB before heading back to the race venue. Registration was quick and painless; no long lines for this one. I guess the weather and distance had turned some folks off. I briefed the wifey on bottle prep, glasses cleaning, and how my food consumption would go down, found a good spot for her to pass off all the goodies, got in a quick spin and racers meeting, and the race was off.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccaZyHQi5vScHZ5KpSVl2dOLc4HAs64WkNPFHxnMjOVza7c0r4pEWCurxpQ6D-KaGef7pRuiCyyKUVOjRa_x_t3UNiZRnI-UgJXfzMp3y1ywiEBEzOuzSiOs0SiJ-l2Esi_ZqMfSIJT54/s1600-h/HPIM2215.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335678326797008482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccaZyHQi5vScHZ5KpSVl2dOLc4HAs64WkNPFHxnMjOVza7c0r4pEWCurxpQ6D-KaGef7pRuiCyyKUVOjRa_x_t3UNiZRnI-UgJXfzMp3y1ywiEBEzOuzSiOs0SiJ-l2Esi_ZqMfSIJT54/s200/HPIM2215.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Some folks went out pretty fast for the first lap. It was tough but I stayed in my desired HR range and let’em go. I figured they would slow down or blow up. The mud was prevalent but not impossible. I rode on and had some fun. At the end of my first lap I found out the leaders were about ten minutes out - a bit of a blow, but they must be carrying a pretty heavy pace. I ate a bite, picked up fresh bottles and quickly headed back out. I felt like I could carry my pace well into the day, a good start for a 12 hr event. The second lap was quite slippery. The trails were definitely get’en greasy. About like Mountwood, thus it still wasn’t a disaster. I managed to maintain my pace and was still having some fun. Back through the venue for some more bottles, gel, and clean glasses. For the next lap I planned to meet the wifey at the bike <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00j_4TxRJQ3qvoiAvk1HSbcvymeZsmh80o8zxCNJU3Icfa993SmzVYoO3ef9nUu-nuy8n4NmK4eixPY_coF60uKvgoHm7OGSGXO9chYoVraGbBp94Z4hBwVPoHmCTTRgA6lutksev665F/s1600-h/HPIM2222.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335679149655822034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00j_4TxRJQ3qvoiAvk1HSbcvymeZsmh80o8zxCNJU3Icfa993SmzVYoO3ef9nUu-nuy8n4NmK4eixPY_coF60uKvgoHm7OGSGXO9chYoVraGbBp94Z4hBwVPoHmCTTRgA6lutksev665F/s200/HPIM2222.JPG" border="0" /></a>wash.</div><div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>At the start of the third lap I was still feeling strong - not fresh, but I still felt like I could carry my pace for a while. I noticed the trails were actually starting to tack up a bit and I really got excited. The <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVZfLB3hy9ksdY5U3VjszmT8LlLihCL5rEbPeAdqNtGXHDN0wHftH2_ht-cUg9J0Fv7Zt__xn7opVWjtE_psQ0sbkhYZjInRKB9_0DYMOXYEpHTH5vsyT8kUa9P0A_utriBIIMqJc3JJV/s1600-h/HPIM2230.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335680230827095842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVZfLB3hy9ksdY5U3VjszmT8LlLihCL5rEbPeAdqNtGXHDN0wHftH2_ht-cUg9J0Fv7Zt__xn7opVWjtE_psQ0sbkhYZjInRKB9_0DYMOXYEpHTH5vsyT8kUa9P0A_utriBIIMqJc3JJV/s200/HPIM2230.JPG" border="0" /></a>sun and wind were going to dry things out and I figured the remainder of the race was going to turn out just fine. Then the sun disappeared behind some big clouds, big dark clouds, hmmm...at least I won’t get a sunburn, right? Oh no, oh no, not this, not that, ahhh!!! Rain!!!! My nice tacky trails turned into streams! Water on mud, hmm, this sucks! Well, I kept going, nothing I could do about it. I just kept telling myself everyone has to deal with it, be patient. I rode less and walked more. My third lap was completely off pace by about 30 min and my HR was now below my target; whelp, no need to worry about blowing up. Chain suck was constant and traction was an afterthought. Then, I had nice surprise towards the end of my third lap. Josh had made it out from his folks to catch some action. He provided me with some much needed motivation and encouragement.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Fz_BNhHPupd7uumV475ori-ikymTv8YQEhnoQXsNLPa63FQA47hIWF8c0YOGmFeQwIJSJkZp90qed7YIr8xhta84_liTkPVjvT8-EHq37SDcUP3ida_B2WxLSYnnSzPrqVbw4ugCSnTn/s1600-h/HPIM2232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335680234432478146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Fz_BNhHPupd7uumV475ori-ikymTv8YQEhnoQXsNLPa63FQA47hIWF8c0YOGmFeQwIJSJkZp90qed7YIr8xhta84_liTkPVjvT8-EHq37SDcUP3ida_B2WxLSYnnSzPrqVbw4ugCSnTn/s200/HPIM2232.JPG" border="0" /></a>I rolled into the wash station and it was like a pit crew was waiting for me; Myra with food and clean gloves and glasses, Josh with waterhose in hand. Myra fed me while Josh sprayed off the Superfly, poor baby was look’en rough. After some quick lube action, I headed back out. I was still feeling pretty good and a little more motivated after some familiar faces. Thanks for the help Josh, nice work on the Superfly!!!<br /><br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Fourth lap was much like the end of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN1YO5yzaHtcMJnXBYaGMhqIhPl-2v7_vYHgoJdzaCJ3ulnhbd20DFAWJFzob4G3Ii4CRgW2kB23qBTrCneTuMGiOfb_BNjYdkEn48lvTUf4NtZmNVYzZRHx9OZ59zVjG5xsTb6PQf9b6/s1600-h/HPIM2241.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335680242996845106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN1YO5yzaHtcMJnXBYaGMhqIhPl-2v7_vYHgoJdzaCJ3ulnhbd20DFAWJFzob4G3Ii4CRgW2kB23qBTrCneTuMGiOfb_BNjYdkEn48lvTUf4NtZmNVYzZRHx9OZ59zVjG5xsTb6PQf9b6/s200/HPIM2241.JPG" border="0" /></a>the third: ride, walk, ride, walk, ride, ride, walk, walk. I should cross-train more...After about 20 min on the trail the bike was again caked with mud, chain lube was pointless, and chain suck – well, chain suck made climbing impossible even when there was some form of traction. Some cussing and cursing took place and after an eternity I made it in from my fourth lap mentally blown. Wifey's parents stopped by to check out the action; it was great to have some support from the family, I really needed it. It was brought to my attention that the folks out in front of me decided to quit. Not sure if they blew up or <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AhHsYTxsiO_PyIKuREMGmIf_QGpJpIhb5CMlbqHvlcCMy38jYTE6Rt80q48FyGf0n-cFVcwGErnLJjFhc8wB47sbG5bCvfDWEF9NEUFdubZ0q0GK0GzjLe9LWkI9_3FLh8HdbpBn-wB-/s1600-h/HPIM2240.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335680238855331474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AhHsYTxsiO_PyIKuREMGmIf_QGpJpIhb5CMlbqHvlcCMy38jYTE6Rt80q48FyGf0n-cFVcwGErnLJjFhc8wB47sbG5bCvfDWEF9NEUFdubZ0q0GK0GzjLe9LWkI9_3FLh8HdbpBn-wB-/s200/HPIM2240.JPG" border="0" /></a>just got fed up with the conditions. I am guessing a combo. Either way, one more lap in the slop would put me into first. Ok, “I can do it.” I picked up gel, bottles, and my light. I quickly sprayed off and the adventure continued, walk, ride, blah, blah, blah. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>At the start of the fifth lap, I was <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UtASbl2BDhB7TlyjhJ0RWSE2CL0bhjUxRtMVHa-k9i1OBsj-HGWRLbk0RVDZAW4ys2o5GznUSuSV62QOni8d_aljH9Z7bBj9lmFiy-RhoxlUItjh2zY9ejq-Kw0XuuHOuPMyDu9HRFuw/s1600-h/HPIM2254.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335681360469984242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UtASbl2BDhB7TlyjhJ0RWSE2CL0bhjUxRtMVHa-k9i1OBsj-HGWRLbk0RVDZAW4ys2o5GznUSuSV62QOni8d_aljH9Z7bBj9lmFiy-RhoxlUItjh2zY9ejq-Kw0XuuHOuPMyDu9HRFuw/s200/HPIM2254.JPG" border="0" /></a>actually able to ride some sections of trail that lacked the necessary traction in the previous lap. Things were looking up, the trails were going tack up a little. I was climbing, then POP! BOOM! CLANK! I stopped to find my derailleur all a dangle. SH**!!! I just couldn’t have a nice victory lap. Ok, Ok. I break my quick link, thread the chain out the derailleur, pocket both items and walk, trot, run, trot, walk...I just want to finish. I thought about the SS option, but here it can destroy a freehub, thus I went with the former--walk. I wanted to keep moving in case one of the other solo males made a move and decided to head back out. So I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJXwIiOIrLht5Cr2zt-qMgbzy-XeDsDUp5KLvGR1GJ6fO3zo6Y6X1asUKqP69cZqvB93SOwDKGz54KSeB4decN2cyJ00tB-ZJML3GF8AF9hfT9LrHIkeuLSsqGuHVIWdhZoVg-0i9vZeu/s1600-h/HPIM2246.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335681042980164354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJXwIiOIrLht5Cr2zt-qMgbzy-XeDsDUp5KLvGR1GJ6fO3zo6Y6X1asUKqP69cZqvB93SOwDKGz54KSeB4decN2cyJ00tB-ZJML3GF8AF9hfT9LrHIkeuLSsqGuHVIWdhZoVg-0i9vZeu/s200/HPIM2246.JPG" border="0" /></a>ran, trotted, ran, ran, ran. At least I was actually getting a workout now. I was actually passing people riding; I should have started running on my third lap. I had passed two solo males and a duo racer by the end of the lap, go figure.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJXwIiOIrLht5Cr2zt-qMgbzy-XeDsDUp5KLvGR1GJ6fO3zo6Y6X1asUKqP69cZqvB93SOwDKGz54KSeB4decN2cyJ00tB-ZJML3GF8AF9hfT9LrHIkeuLSsqGuHVIWdhZoVg-0i9vZeu/s1600-h/HPIM2246.JPG"></a></div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I finally finished by running my bike into the barn throwing one leg over and coasting to the finish line. I was now a top the leader board. I did some quick math. Steve Hill had started racing at 3. When I finished he was on his fourth lap. If he got six he would move into first. He had been going at a ~2 hr a lap pace but was starting to slow. After some deliberation I figured it would be pretty impossible for him to get six. I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-Gw6Mv7icT7gt2cD1MWPeUMuuWYeUJruxfqoFjMGaPY-MvLLCD1Aw-cQlGZi9lvYkCJsLviELAUhjGPYtFVSaDqudurjemYbrSP2SQZJyc0ahnBYuY4LjEzhyphenhyphence1Se_FEJb_nUhyphenhyphenME3H/s1600-h/HPIM2247.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335681045221569282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-Gw6Mv7icT7gt2cD1MWPeUMuuWYeUJruxfqoFjMGaPY-MvLLCD1Aw-cQlGZi9lvYkCJsLviELAUhjGPYtFVSaDqudurjemYbrSP2SQZJyc0ahnBYuY4LjEzhyphenhyphence1Se_FEJb_nUhyphenhyphenME3H/s200/HPIM2247.JPG" border="0" /></a>thought about another lap; I had a spare derailleur in the car, but figured with the nasty conditions I was just asking to break something else. I turned in my card and called it.<br /></div><br /><div>I spent a solid 30 min at the bike wash, ate a pop-tart, a pb and j, this, that, and some other. Changed clothes and headed over to check things out. Steve had slowed considerably and was just making it in from his 4th lap. I was glad to see him head back out for a 5th, pushing him up into 2nd. All and all, I put in 5 laps in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml0ZO-nYpoIW2eN6rG7BDYmfHPkTZ9oP-B9W5MHVdySzDZUT6WR3NIHrun6ZnPdTXCYw7qsrwoKZE05Vd7kay8csqZEfbhZU-Hx28aycu6yvvT0MHNyZDhvVCPwBwWvGzk1xLORWqJRDx/s1600-h/HPIM2250.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335681050229236258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml0ZO-nYpoIW2eN6rG7BDYmfHPkTZ9oP-B9W5MHVdySzDZUT6WR3NIHrun6ZnPdTXCYw7qsrwoKZE05Vd7kay8csqZEfbhZU-Hx28aycu6yvvT0MHNyZDhvVCPwBwWvGzk1xLORWqJRDx/s200/HPIM2250.JPG" border="0" /></a>10:20, about 50 mi, stark difference from the 40 mi in 3:47 at the Greenbrier Challenge. Steve Hill, with his late entry, knocked out 5 laps in about 11 hrs.<br /><br />I was pretty happy with my result, no reason to not be. I wish the course would have been a little better, I really don’t feel like it was I good test of my endurance because I walked about as much as I rode. I will definitely do some more. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT-wXauOlM9sG4bNPQRgnOg0vxsXAL1b9jGedA85Qzphwfsj9yKltuNbcgzPXsv2kRmO47uaYi-O4wJS1RRxyNpHrXVdravrieH4N7C1tcGguCLzfPIiDEwnn1TRI_FKTzmgBv3EfPRHe/s1600-h/HPIM2248.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335688952581317506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT-wXauOlM9sG4bNPQRgnOg0vxsXAL1b9jGedA85Qzphwfsj9yKltuNbcgzPXsv2kRmO47uaYi-O4wJS1RRxyNpHrXVdravrieH4N7C1tcGguCLzfPIiDEwnn1TRI_FKTzmgBv3EfPRHe/s200/HPIM2248.JPG" border="0" /></a>I hear there is actually a 12 hr series down in Georgia. The move to Atlanta will provide me <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoOg6ZYKP8v8yftFb5_irmKXA5o3JjDGeXd0emz4peyOMXLjFGeojSMyK1nNGjqa0oDB9ZEnVttmfwOWhNfOJiB-xs5j79lFZX-RUIdtatCLWoBJVVN7eS91SlvKw8jGyfwCC1fLmICRj/s1600-h/HPIM2248.JPG"></a>the opportunity to catch the series final in October. And next year, oh yeah, I will be taking place in the 4 race 12 hr series.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJXwIiOIrLht5Cr2zt-qMgbzy-XeDsDUp5KLvGR1GJ6fO3zo6Y6X1asUKqP69cZqvB93SOwDKGz54KSeB4decN2cyJ00tB-ZJML3GF8AF9hfT9LrHIkeuLSsqGuHVIWdhZoVg-0i9vZeu/s1600-h/HPIM2246.JPG"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18364930078738673374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-78760026606594010852009-05-05T19:14:00.010-04:002009-05-06T16:48:56.927-04:00Mountwood<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikckrvJsZhyjPzfPdBGAV3dxEIC26CQEMkbCO4HEVE1ltthvUk06C2vEOVB1A2nulzYgMyqeZfooRMv0t-3blB8zOXdsBx6VRcK4kY6Ju6rT9OEoc_NJkUBhm_fKLOjgROauCAwXTb2Nvz/s1600-h/IMG_1207.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332504609576022498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikckrvJsZhyjPzfPdBGAV3dxEIC26CQEMkbCO4HEVE1ltthvUk06C2vEOVB1A2nulzYgMyqeZfooRMv0t-3blB8zOXdsBx6VRcK4kY6Ju6rT9OEoc_NJkUBhm_fKLOjgROauCAwXTb2Nvz/s200/IMG_1207.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Yea, it was back to the races this weekend. This episode takes us westward to the Challenge at Mountwood. I would like to emphasis the word CHALLENGE. First, I want to flash back to last year(insert visual effect here)...........This was my first official WVMBA race and I can't remember much from the '08 version. Mostly because I was meditating in the pain box most of the day. I did recall cold, wet weather, mud and lots of going up but strangely not much descending. At one point I thought I had crossed into the bizzarro world. But after it was all over I somehow had a smile on my face and couldn't wait to do it all again..........I'd caught the sickness.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YN8kXWq4d_irU8g9b29uaWvBvlntBIjEXyIqIN_wS49pT3Ue54e04HKMdq1bQgGuYLdP5gFZoM8O1i8TOqCro3Sy3fEPfF-cYTDYBFc_o5CRz2ThjreYLWxxagnttBz0Mpo4CidFKE6I/s1600-h/P1010646.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332506405477300418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YN8kXWq4d_irU8g9b29uaWvBvlntBIjEXyIqIN_wS49pT3Ue54e04HKMdq1bQgGuYLdP5gFZoM8O1i8TOqCro3Sy3fEPfF-cYTDYBFc_o5CRz2ThjreYLWxxagnttBz0Mpo4CidFKE6I/s200/P1010646.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Flash forward............So with all my vast experience I knew what the forecast was.........PAIN! After a week of steady rain and not to mention a bout with the hog virus that kept me off the bike all week I knew it would be a tough day for myself. But I was for some reason still excited for race day.<br /></div><div>Picked up the boys and hit the road early. Leaving Morgantown there was a good steady rain. There was a lot of grumbling about the sucky weather and some talk about going home and crawling back into bed. But we pressed on. By the time we got to the venue the rain had stopped and the temps were in the 50's. Not to shabby. Last year I think it was sleeting before race time. Vast improvement.<br /></div><div>Did the pre-race thing that seems to run much smoother this year. There seemed to be a good showing for the WVMBA/OMBC combined event. Not the 300+ expected. I suspect there may have been some fair weather racers. Before I knew it, it was high noon.........Race time. </div><br /><div></div><div>I got one of the best starts I've had thus far. I hit the big ring on a flat section off the start and was able to pull around a number of folks. I was shocked to be on the tail of the lead group. I saw Jeremy and Nate up ahead with Gunnar, Ben Ort, Dave "Blue Jeans" Walker and maybe one or two more. At one point, I looked up and saw some jerk in the gutter splashing a tidal wave on everyone. Then I saw that jerk was Jeremy, I had to laugh to myself. I guess rubb'n is race'n. </div><br /><div></div><div>After we hit the single track the leaders were gone but I held strong for awhile but could feel the effects from the fast start creeping in. Had a couple of stumbles and some weird breathing/wheezing problems and the next thing I knew I was getting passed up by like five or six dudes. Ryan motored past me as well as Steve, wished them luck and just tried to keep it in the zone. Things were going well, passed one or two, got passed by one. Then, just before the start of the second lap the wheels started to come off and I crepted into the pain box. I blame the hog flu. Second lap was like a mud bog. Greasy mud that made turning hard and climbing even harder. I bonked! It hurt! I lost a lot of time. Then the cramps started. I was begging for the finish line but it just didn't come. After like an eternity I came around to the line and felt like laying down in my grave.</div><br /><div></div><div>Saw Jeremy at the team tent and he was holding his arm, had torn shorts and looked like death warmed over. A vast improvement over myself. I thought he must have crashed out or something, but kid pulled out a podium spot, 3rd. He's an animal. Coach came in 6th and Nate "To Fast" got in the $ for 5th. Great job boys! Stephen had a visit from the flat tire monster and had to DNF. Been there dude, you'll get'em next time.</div><br /><div></div><div>As predicted there was abundant pain going around. Heard Gunnar went down hard, could hear his scream all the way back where I was. Nate said he bonked hard. To many interesting stories to tell. Hope everyone had as much fun as I did ;o)</div><br /><div></div><div>On a mechanical note, the Bontrager ACX tires preformed great in the muddy conditions. Great tire for the soft trails. And check out J's new wheelset........Gold Hope hubs, Stan's Arch rims w/gold nipples.........Hot. And the Rowands Bontrager kicks.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JAhShkBZVWCfdKdgyIJbJ8t7Veppbmx7yVzsSStXxCeq9WQfDOne_vo2sFF9MoORZx_xJg72wAyDRYNTlcBeLNHGAphrAMl4qYYuINnxtZwLySEXJIs-FWGVbfSxUrCYjcYZy4aCwsRx/s1600-h/IMG_1216.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332504612293823282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JAhShkBZVWCfdKdgyIJbJ8t7Veppbmx7yVzsSStXxCeq9WQfDOne_vo2sFF9MoORZx_xJg72wAyDRYNTlcBeLNHGAphrAMl4qYYuINnxtZwLySEXJIs-FWGVbfSxUrCYjcYZy4aCwsRx/s200/IMG_1216.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L4xxesut3hvxWHNKH8xXn9tzgSLvg8tGC8zQLoU7iWaioT-XIcRFCfe5IyoKgdXssiS2Tk5VaRnn2HoEguaLN_uaWUhyphenhypheniD55mlcA9JJRqXjoRvZmiq3svLdITO3MZCmLM72P3vKC8Udk/s1600-h/IMG_1228.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332505137426493554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L4xxesut3hvxWHNKH8xXn9tzgSLvg8tGC8zQLoU7iWaioT-XIcRFCfe5IyoKgdXssiS2Tk5VaRnn2HoEguaLN_uaWUhyphenhypheniD55mlcA9JJRqXjoRvZmiq3svLdITO3MZCmLM72P3vKC8Udk/s200/IMG_1228.JPG" /></a><br /><div>No racing next weekend, except for Ryan who is going to the 12hrs of Creek to Peak. Good luck big guy. Next Team RowMan+ stop will be the Tour de Lake in two weeks.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISPtCGPy0YMvdNHC_95uFX7skO9U1BJECckTNVQZ7Tn7wgv1vijeJ6rNoRUn-4jMrEU03Cv85v1I43CU1ZLTOuiJI37wuqDVpl1OMj0-hR7Zyjr5gLB00306rz-TsvdGeN0CxlloANMe3/s1600-h/IMG_1243.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332505140741994530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISPtCGPy0YMvdNHC_95uFX7skO9U1BJECckTNVQZ7Tn7wgv1vijeJ6rNoRUn-4jMrEU03Cv85v1I43CU1ZLTOuiJI37wuqDVpl1OMj0-hR7Zyjr5gLB00306rz-TsvdGeN0CxlloANMe3/s200/IMG_1243.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>See ya at the races,</div><div>Later,</div><div>Josh</div>Chappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-29049704506382435882009-04-29T13:31:00.005-04:002009-04-29T14:07:21.212-04:00Team RowBot Takes on the Hills!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzqLL_yfOUGtyTCthhgX2fC4EhRGBjkou69A-udD_4Y_k5TzxOMQu1JO0G5LPbx8aIn1yptY5AxZ8XgL7g4U1vp59rWY5U0JAN-k2mBUU4Fer3Kq0BzzsqqAwM20Uo7O7lizsLw3Kqdc/s1600-h/stuff+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzqLL_yfOUGtyTCthhgX2fC4EhRGBjkou69A-udD_4Y_k5TzxOMQu1JO0G5LPbx8aIn1yptY5AxZ8XgL7g4U1vp59rWY5U0JAN-k2mBUU4Fer3Kq0BzzsqqAwM20Uo7O7lizsLw3Kqdc/s320/stuff+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330174510811980674" border="0" /></a><br />This past Sunday myself and Mr. Brian Talbot decide to take on the New Martinsville road race. The trip started off about 6:30. Brian was filled with excitment from the get go, LOL. Was a pretty drive of about an hour and twenty minutes. Once there saw some other Morgantown folks made the trip as well, Don and Mr. Bird. I would say about 60 folks where there to take the hills on. Team West Virginia Night Club was there in force. Morgan and his father Mr. Miller along with Mr. Blaze himself. We all started at about 10 lead out by a police escort. Lol, funny how most West Virginia road races end up in different states. We shortly cut over the mighty Ohio river. Things where running smooth along a straight section by the river for about 15 miles then we hit our first climb on the day. The group qu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59NValKPtJ7vvoQU_H6JaB3lbAtmbHST7D0PyXoq0FbLegI_G2VSsGJqdu5zAO3Q5cWatacGQWTLwYWemoPQzTfwPDo7BapI8XSkVEkFd2M1p_tpEU2dG4dawhTGICpH8ydyxwkLsF1A/s1600-h/stuff+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59NValKPtJ7vvoQU_H6JaB3lbAtmbHST7D0PyXoq0FbLegI_G2VSsGJqdu5zAO3Q5cWatacGQWTLwYWemoPQzTfwPDo7BapI8XSkVEkFd2M1p_tpEU2dG4dawhTGICpH8ydyxwkLsF1A/s320/stuff+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330174517915236338" border="0" /></a>ickly fell apart. The lead group was about 6 strong with myself among them. The group didn't want to work together so at about the mid way point it came back together. I was very surprised to see my fellow teammate for the day among them. Mr Talbot did very well on the first big climb. The group started to work abit before the second big climb on the day. This is where a lone rider got away, but myself and the other 123's weren't to worried cause he wasn't in our group. Torwards the top of the climbs I found myself alone chasing this lone break. He was strong and had a good time break on me and held it all the way to the finish. The last two miles or so were very beautifull and fast. It opened up and you could see the town and River right before the descent opened up into many fast switch backs. Overall I am not sure where Mr. Talbot finished, But he looked pretty spent passing the finish line. Myself, I got first in the 123's and second o<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSFz-NOlmbsQTcIWNdH4yDSipHgdaWNlu6_Hc_7n5VHBDgi_JOD9VrRDYOX1HJ7XOPFdOuMf0rTPzzEELbhMOl1LnyhNMBKiQ7qeJBwhJa-bCisf5m-lIhjvbsetHnXtT5gjKUj5WPqg/s1600-h/stuff+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSFz-NOlmbsQTcIWNdH4yDSipHgdaWNlu6_Hc_7n5VHBDgi_JOD9VrRDYOX1HJ7XOPFdOuMf0rTPzzEELbhMOl1LnyhNMBKiQ7qeJBwhJa-bCisf5m-lIhjvbsetHnXtT5gjKUj5WPqg/s320/stuff+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330174526294676002" border="0" /></a>ver all. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee for Team Rowman.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdb26SsxQ4YpFnLAGFk4k0-1eRxIACCXbsNhQ4JxbYGSdSZ0gKFACG4uEAinambTX_L-XW0zdREidGFj0_9KtKuV6JFJPVfi-5_MFwBnMYE46wEWOAaGb_uXI5-QV2yrNPYyUOBR7N61M/s1600-h/stuff+008.jpg"><br /></a>ARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489382972854413750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-85455473197985954742009-04-28T18:05:00.008-04:002009-04-28T18:42:24.875-04:00Hobbs back in the GreenbrierThe absence of a WVMBA event for the weekend left Team RowMan+ scrambling to find an event. After realizing that we would be unable to purchase a one day license that would allow us to race in the Expert category at the Greenbrier Challenge, my fellow team members opted out. I am planning on doing some of those crazy XXC events for the summer, thus I found the Marathon category a viable option for myself.<br /> For those of you who don’t know, I grew up in Greenbrier County - White Sulphur Springs to be exact. I spent my junior racing years training in the Greenbrier State forest. So, for some reason it was almost like I was heading home for this one. I had been jazzed for this race since I planned it out on Tuesday.<br /> For me this is a season of firsts. Well not first place, but first attempts at expert mountain biking, road racing, and ultra-endurance mountain biking. I spent most of Saturday preparing my bottles and bike and organizing my gels for the lengthy journey. I planned out my optimal fueling strategy complete with rescue gels and bottles. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /> Sunday consisted of a 5:15 rise and shine, quick gather of the final goods, most importantly coffee. Myra and I were on our way by 6:00. We cruised into the parking lot of the Greenbrier State forest on the dot at 8:10. This left me a little over an hour to register, change, and warm-up before the 9:30 start. After a short briefing on the feed zone at registration, Myra headed down to stake out a spot, and I cruised around the park for a warm-up. After a quick good luck kiss I headed to the starting line at 9:25. A nice group of racers showed up for the Marathon (47 racers total) and the competition looked to be pretty stiff. I kept looking around for familiar faces but didn’t see anyone that I recognized; all is well though, figured this could be my little adventure.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329867974738318162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RN_wkQ87K5fSO_lEti8zj0QoSEx4LnfI1ZeltgcfvcSCMeYmkoBYdDxdUuAjvMMN5iLT8ERbNht5BylYz_bDQNh0o52HNmRFBzqTQFEjMXOxYCRSrxQvbV7IQbaBOVRXjJpo2dtnkpN5/s200/HPIM2131.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>The start was about what I planned for, fast but not too fast. I settled in at about 7th position and figured I had a few laps to let things get sorted out. I pushed a moderately fast pace for about 5 min. then backed off into my planned race pace (~85% MaxHR). This worked well, as you can see from the time splits at (http://live-timing.com/report.php?r=13683&rp=167635). I really enjoyed this course...nice sections of fast double track, some tight, rocky winding single track, and slightly technical climbs. </div><div></div><br /><div> I trucked along lap after lap after lap after lap, and then it started. The heat w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqHpsay3YpOmIo2gNyjoWCCXfZuux3Csu4Vae0LYqU_A4db1d68UnuhAnMqYivaVwgZJwmQURZIk3qZZy_s3F7S55Pbu6pOV5TQdNxbcN3tmizCHi_GlbAodNqGpJzbC4ihXm9veALG8W/s1600-h/HPIM2133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329868811429844706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqHpsay3YpOmIo2gNyjoWCCXfZuux3Csu4Vae0LYqU_A4db1d68UnuhAnMqYivaVwgZJwmQURZIk3qZZy_s3F7S55Pbu6pOV5TQdNxbcN3tmizCHi_GlbAodNqGpJzbC4ihXm9veALG8W/s200/HPIM2133.JPG" border="0" /></a>as hot, beginners and sport races were now out on course, increasing the traffic, and that slow death was creeping into me. For the 4th and 5th lap I started to slightly fall off pace; I was working around the slower traffic, but with increasing fatigue I found it more and more difficult to make passes. I found myself satisfied to sit in - not good for the time splits. </div><br /><div> My 6th lap I could feel myself unraveling. Temperatures were now in the low 90s, and my brain was starting to boil. I started to plan out my finishing time for my 7th lap to make the 1:15 cut-off time. I really wanted to get in 8 laps, my target. I was spot on giving myself about 40 min for the last lap to make the cut-off. I was pushing hard to maintain my pace and meet my goal. I found the traffic was in bunches of 3-4 riders in groups, but I was still able to work my way around. On a fast downhill section I approached a much slower rider and called out “passing on your right,” but as soon as the words left my lips the rider in front of me had come to screeching halt in the middle of the trail. I swerved right much faster than I had planned and lost control of my big-wheeled bicycle. I was a mess of bike and boy tumbling between rock and tree. I popped up and still had all limbs <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfltX0QOX3RD0EiTvBX54k5rwhBBBGhu37CypPetPfaRNEPOVXlumLkinYdvg136JH8XqAgbO0SmGWSqUSYOBwGBgN5BMQ3Rn_w5Lb4SvCtwY_Khyphenhyphen-z5aRzxENYWmPjifykDS7QfxKcxq/s1600-h/HPIM2134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329868811915693666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfltX0QOX3RD0EiTvBX54k5rwhBBBGhu37CypPetPfaRNEPOVXlumLkinYdvg136JH8XqAgbO0SmGWSqUSYOBwGBgN5BMQ3Rn_w5Lb4SvCtwY_Khyphenhyphen-z5aRzxENYWmPjifykDS7QfxKcxq/s200/HPIM2134.JPG" border="0" /></a>attached. The stopped rider was standing there, and I realized it was a girl who was in a complete episode – bawling, tears streaming down her cheeks. She asked if I was okay first, which I followed up with “are you okay?” thinking that with all the tears she must be in serious pain; had I clipped her? Don’t think so; I guess it was just the reaction to seeing tumbling boy and bike snapping small tree limbs and bouncing off of rocks. I grabbed my bike and realized that my rear brake lever was vertical to the ground but figured I didn’t have time to fix it if I was going to make the cut-off. I threw one leg over and tried to get back on pace. As I continued along, I marveled at my trail rash that spread from my right knee up to my right shoulder. I took a real nice digger! I kept pushing but was losing motivation and couldn’t quite maintain the needed pace. I missed the cut-off by about 2 min. </div><div><br /> I cruised on down to the feed zone to find my other half. She really did a great job getting me my bottles and gels. Thanks #1 wifey!!! I sipped on water, chatted with JR, wished him luck and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQZHhyrILsk9a6AEGbRR4mbw7fw0Insgp2ianooYdcc1qvDPjvjsghumkhy0bo_yvtQDIFxJv_eAbc-_LMN2d7Vkt_t-rZ_ohbSRhsUhzklox0fveHJEmT-Le1K0e8vaFHDyf4LrqcI2U/s1600-h/HPIM2135.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329872129336627186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQZHhyrILsk9a6AEGbRR4mbw7fw0Insgp2ianooYdcc1qvDPjvjsghumkhy0bo_yvtQDIFxJv_eAbc-_LMN2d7Vkt_t-rZ_ohbSRhsUhzklox0fveHJEmT-Le1K0e8vaFHDyf4LrqcI2U/s200/HPIM2135.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCPa0CvLbynLouj_UBv2oonHUoSGjoCzMdTAlN_uqvT7-iADRWkwkxpffQaG2u9h8RRTo8m4Gh8h913WA6X3-fyc2eg2hmF6ZFJfByKIIBnCU6D4LZDWwTS41ZsnUs9H72XRcKYZB1NhI/s1600-h/HPIM2136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329873076054296402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCPa0CvLbynLouj_UBv2oonHUoSGjoCzMdTAlN_uqvT7-iADRWkwkxpffQaG2u9h8RRTo8m4Gh8h913WA6X3-fyc2eg2hmF6ZFJfByKIIBnCU6D4LZDWwTS41ZsnUs9H72XRcKYZB1NhI/s200/HPIM2136.JPG" border="0" /></a>encouraged him to consume high volumes of H2O. I headed back to change. I ate a little then headed down to get the results. I decided I could be happy with top ten; it was hard, hot race and all things went as planned except for my crash. My average heart rate for the race was pretty much exactly as planned at 82%, and for the seven laps I climbed close to 1500 m. The results were posted and I went to check things out - I found myself in 5th! 5th! Well hot dog...Needless to say I was quite pleased, considering this was my first attempt at a long distance race. There will definitely be more of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLB8KiVcc-uQSuOFnt2FicBlI8_oGIIKUf9bTx5WBPWX_ru5-PzLEemoMJXLpn2JGyFlhEfLVcwqhPdYbY1BI-tHnQYQboLlTRhAgzbsl7zOf3wCpN4r4cjNMztQ3BWGQrcO4ovPiH0or0/s1600-h/HPIM2137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329874622494104018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLB8KiVcc-uQSuOFnt2FicBlI8_oGIIKUf9bTx5WBPWX_ru5-PzLEemoMJXLpn2JGyFlhEfLVcwqhPdYbY1BI-tHnQYQboLlTRhAgzbsl7zOf3wCpN4r4cjNMztQ3BWGQrcO4ovPiH0or0/s200/HPIM2137.JPG" border="0" /></a>these to come.<br />See everyone at Mountwood,<br />Ryan</div><div> </div><div>P.S. JR went on to win his class!!! Go JR!!! WVMBA Rocks!!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18364930078738673374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135211311981853208.post-19974647544706481612009-04-27T21:29:00.003-04:002009-04-28T05:14:49.386-04:00J & J's Local EpicsNo racing for J & J (Jeremy & Josh) this weekend. We opted to stay home to do some local favorites and get some solid training miles in. I was torn and a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> bummed not to be racing (New <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Martinsville</span> RR or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greenbrier</span> Challenge) but there is plenty of good racing action on tap this season. There were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">RowManians</span> out on the racing scene this weekend.....more to come on that shortly.<br /><br />I started out the weekend with a bang by going to the Black Bear for dinner on Friday. I gorged myself and even enjoyed a few Seneca <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPA's</span>. Been laying off the beer lately so this was a real treat. On Saturday I screwed off most of the day till Jeremy was done at the shop. Then we headed out on one of my favorite local rides. Went out to Snake Hill via Dug Hill and on to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rhor</span> Road and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Masontown</span>. Took the road around the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">WVU</span> Research Farm at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reedsville</span> and then ripped up the Summer School Road decent, one of the fastest, funnest around. Things got a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> interesting on the decent when a bulked up Dodge truck swerved into our lane coming up the hill. I almost crapped myself. I hope they were trying to miss a pothole and not looking to run us off the road, that would just be plain mean. I ended up getting 50+ miles for the day after the rail trail ride to and fro.<br /><br />Sunday was a long awaited Coopers out and back epic. I've been wanting to do this ride for a few weeks now. Ever since our last attempt was foiled by numerous early <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">mechanicals</span> and low spirits. Both of us were on the 29er dual-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">ees</span>. Made it up to the day lot in just around an hour. Stopped to chat with some pals and then it was out the parallel trail and down, down, down on Ridge Trail. The Hi <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fi</span> really excelled on fast rough decent. Put a large grin on my face, when I wasn't making the OH-SHIT face. Jeremy put a technical climbing clinic coming up from Mount <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chattue</span>(?). Kid made the whole climb over some real tricky stuff. Nice work super J. Then it was a long hot pull up the rail road grade. No shade to be had since the leaves haven't come on yet. Then we picked up about every other trail on the top side, like Nature Loop, Rhododendron and Rock City. Had to make quite a few water stops due the the sweltering heat. Once we call uncle it was time to spin on back. I think we both ran out of gas on the way back. I was pretty well wilted by the time I got home. I guess 5 hours in the heat will do that. Pain is just weakness leaving the body. Great ride and great weekend on the bike.<br /><br />Oh yeah, the racers...........Way to to Steve and Ryan. Steve got <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">numero</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">uno</span> at the New <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Martinsville</span> RR in the 123 class. Ryan pulled a 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greenbrier</span> for the Marathon race. Great job lads. How about some details, I'm tired of reading my own stupid posts.<br /><br />Next up, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mountwood</span>.<br /><br />See ya at the races,<br />later,<br />JoshChappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16002395370847421686noreply@blogger.com0