Bonelli

To my legs, this was a tough course.  What felt like a momentum course wasn't, or at least I couldn't carry much momentum.  Possibly too much caffeine pre-race, because I felt awful on the start and got mired in traffic for the first section of singletrack.  Time to install the new tires, too.  I've been putting it off, but I had no traction on the rear, either up or down.

But enough about me (who cares anyway?): Sam and Jeff both had great nights and have caught the racing fire again!  We guessed correctly on Sam's gear (32x19) and he powered the climbs and took home his first podium finish.  Jeff just missed the podium in 4th, but is doing great as a JV rider against the varsity kids.

And he got the photo finish of the day, captured by the Queen:

Pavement is definitely more dangerous than dirt!

Progress

Feeling a little better, though not losing any weight.  Racing at Glendora is definitely a great way to train.  I kept it in middle all four laps going up the pavement climb and cut 5 minutes off my race time.  Two other riders were racing me the whole way, one caught me last lap right at the top of the pavement, but I snuck past him going into the singletrack and was gone.  He ended up getting passed on the downhill by a guy on a hucker bike; I ended up 3rd out of 5 riders in Expert 35++.  Omar is definitely putting on a good show.

Rode 50 miles of flat dirt yesterday, got sunburned, but generally felt OK.  Two laps, plus climbing up from the museum twice, then riding to Gramma and Pop's had me ready to hit the grill.  Maybe that's why I'm not losing any weight...

Glendora Downhill Video #2

The second clip shows from the top of the pavement climb down to the park.

Both videos can be viewed in HD on YouTube at (#1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEO-6SpES2E&feature=plcp, or (#2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd1LH_kLDfs&feature=plcp.

I should give some cheers to Omar at Cycle Events Company for putting on a very well-organized, fun race series on Thursday evenings.  The new trail that has been cut is excellent!



Glendora Trail, 1st Downhill Video

Riding behind Sam & Jeff on the first downhill section at South Hills Park:

As the trail gets more torn up, the grip went away.  With Jeff riding Small Block 8s, he skidded through the switchbacks.

Back After 2 Years

Back on the pedals after two years away...Sam, Jeff and I took the start at Glendora Thursday evening, but without the familiar "Goooooooooo!" from the Don.

The course at Glendora is short, 3.3 miles per lap, but with two big climbs, four laps was plenty.  Q signed me up as Cat 1, so I was in for it.  All good, though: even with relatively sparse training, my average lap time would have put my on the podium in Cat 2 for my age group.  Demi's support was awesome; I had asked for a gel shot at the end of lap 2, and she had another ready for last lap, without which I would have bonked.

Sam was overgeared and undertrained, and will stick to the high school category from now on.  Open SS is where all the fast guys ride.  Buddy, we're heading out today for a ride to get you back in shape!  I know how fast you really are.

Jeff was on his new Voodoo from Mountain Outfitters for maybe the third time this spring.  You'd have never known it the way he rode...wow!  His lap average was only 30 seconds off my pace, I've got a feeling I'm going to be watching him disappear in front of me VERY SOON!

Steve took the start of his first-ever MTB race and came in fourth in his group, just one spot off the podium.  I'm hoping he had fun...he's doing really well.