Results From My race on Sunday the 30th

Well finished another race...came in last again. Did more miles but still average 33 minutes per lap..this time it was 6+ miles per lap...whew...finished up at 2:13...still sticking to my SS, the new Industry Nines sure felt tight...have to do some work on the disc alignment, terrible rubbing, so bad by the end it wasn't even "free wheeling"...

Weekend of March 29 & 30

Well had another race at Ft. Ord this past weekend and the rain held out...for the beginners race it was a little mistsy and overcast...by the time our race, (Sport) was less than half way through the skys cleared and the sun shined it turned out to be a beautiful afternoon. The course changed up a little from the last time with the laps increaseing to 6+ miles ea. (we do 4 laps)...it seemed to have a better flow this time...the tough part was they combined the tough up hill section of race one with another up hill from race 2 & 3 no less than 100 yards apart...whew...just when you thought your legs could recover...I took a bunch of pictures (132 to be exact) and put them on Flickr. Attached here under "LINK" give it a try and check them out, let me know if it opened for you...have another race this coming weekend, then the next weekend is off and going to San Diego to see my loved ones...then the following is Sea Otter, the BIG race of the Year! C-ya all soon...Ed

Scenes from Monterey Area

My First Race In California

My First Race In California

My first race was in Ft. Ord which is by Monterey south of San Fransico along the Pacific coast. Ironically I lived there in 1964, my Dad was stationed in the Army there...I can remember my mom helped me count by counting the head lights of the cars in the fog along the coast. Anyways, I went down on Saturday to pre-ride the course and was shocked that it was such smooth dirt trails, double track, fire roads, and single track...but all so smooth and rolling and fast...very different from the east coast roots, rocks, tree climbs and just your basic narley technical. I rode my geared bike for a loop then went back to the van and got my SS and did a lap...which really got me fighting inside as to which bike to ride during the race...one main goal I had coming out here to California was to get in great shape by being able to ride so much due to the perfect weather...and that also meant to ride my SS much more...well this is a perfect course for that..that night I stayed at the KOA in Moss Landing about 10-15 minutes away right along the coast...fabulous place to stay...a couple great resturants and the beach to walk on and watch the sunsets...the next day of the race and I decided when I registered to ride my Cannondale geared Rush...got blown away during the race...did 4 laps..whew 20 + miles...apporx. 550 feet elevation accent per lap...but WOW are they soooo fast here...it was a big eye opener as to conditioning...I was last place, 22 racers, one DNF so there was 21 and that was my position...just have to start riding alot more...which I have been doing since...was very surprised at a few differences here though...one...very, very few people call out as they are approaching you which side they are going to overtake you on...it can be a little nerve raking...it is a habit I am used to doing and hereing back home..."on your left" or " on your right" "lead rider"...when I hear someone raging I ask them to simply call out which side and I'd be glad to give it to them...but if they dont say then they have to wait till the trail widens and they can go for it...another oddity is that when the race is over..it is OVER...they get their medals off the table and thanks, see ya all next time, and their gone..a few socialize but I see more leaving than not..the poor pros and experts have very little cheering sections...my goodness it's awesome to watch them race and see the power, strength and endurance those riders have...besides a little support and cheering helps everyone...back home it's great to have almost everyone hanging out after the races, and have a celebration of presenting the awards..and all the "family/friends" atmosphere is great...it will get better!!!

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