The Next BIG Thing

100K on the Fixie

Roads were wet this morning so I got out the Raleigh One Way. Left the house at 8am with plans for a 2 hour ride with Shaker Cycling group (Scott, Brian, Orv and Chris). 70 miles and 4+ hours later, I rolled back to the house. Ouch, legs are a little sore from pushing the 42x15 fixed gear.

Despite the wet roads, we did not get rained on, which was nice. We took Brainard to the Metro Parkway through Bedford, to Tinkers to Canal then south on Riverview past Peninsula to the Szalzy(sp) Farmers Market where we turned around and headed back to Peninsula. Climbed 303 east and took the hike n bike back to Alexander then back through Bedford metro park.

Thinking of riding down to Medina tomorrow for the Twin Sizzler. Hope I can find someone to give me a ride home.

Later,

BRD

The Wayne Ultra Hard...

...is what this race should be called. Went down Saturday and stayed at the very nice Leith Run Campground which is located along the Ohio River in the only National Forest in Ohio...Wayne National Forest. After I put the kids to bed on Saturday night, I hung out with Bill Braum and some of the RVMBA members who promoted the race and built much of the trail. They gave me the 411 on the course and let me sample half dozen or so glasses of yummy mico-brew from their keg. Somehow I always find the keg....just lucky I guess.

I opted for the 45 mile XXC over the 22 mile XC. The 45 miler had over 5,200 feet of climbing which I was by no means prepared for. The race started at just after 11am and the rain held off for the entire day, which was nice. I rode pretty strong for the first 25 miles then got a case of the "tireds" and kind of lost interest and put it into "damage control" mode after that. Got to ride with Brian Lennon for a while, which was fun, until he dropped me. After aid station 4 with about 10 miles to go, there was a brutal single track climb which ended with the hardest hike a bike I have ever had the displeasure of walking up.

In the end, I managed not to injure myself and rolled in just inside the top 20 overall. See results here. Northeast Ohio rocked the 22 miler with the Spisaks, Mike Fletcher and Darren Spence filling out the top 10.

The Marietta area has some great trails that I would like to ride again sometime. Lots of climbing!

Later,

BRD

June Fun!

Since Mohican I have been busy at work and still trying to do some bike riding. After a little recovery, I did a nice block of riding totaling 14 hours in six days that included (on day four) a big 5 hour sufferfest on June 7th. The ride totaled 85 miles and included a 58 mile version of the CVNP Death Ride. Rodgers, Rusty, Mike Fletcher and I managed to average over 18 mph for this 58 mile very hilly route. Mike (rides for CAMBA) is a total stud and climbs, literally, like few others I have seen in person.

I followed that up a hard 1 hour of hill repeats on Monday June 8th and then 2.5 hours of hard riding at Vultures Knob on Tuesday. I took a few days off and raced this past Saturday at Groovy Series #3 at Vultures Knob. Pictures courtesy of Ryan Knopf.

I took the RV, the wife, kids and two dogs and we camped out. Kids bike race, daddy's bike race, beer brats, smores, single speed race and fireworks highlighted the evening. Results are here.

Rodgers won the single speed challenge and a sweet trophy. Twining got second in under 35 Expert and I gritted out a 3rd in the over 35 expert. Ross raced the Stupid 50 in PA and scored a top 20 amongst a loaded field.

Next race is the Wayne Ultra on June 28th. I am going to focus on climbing for the next 7-9 days and then take some time off before the race.

Later,

BRD

Bike Frame Raffle and Party!

As you may know, I am a volunteer board member for Fast Track Cycling, Inc. Our group's mission is to construct an indoor velodrome in Northeast Ohio. We are at a very exciting time for the project - that is we are about the kick off our fundraising efforts!

Dan Polito, the owner of Cicli Polito (http://www.ciclipolito.com/), is donating one custom built track frame and fork to the winner of the raffle. This locally handcrafted track bike frame is valued at over $2,000. Mr. Polito won “Best in Show” at the 2009 Handmade Bicycle Show held in Indianapolis, IN.

In conjunction with the raffle, there will be a short (15 minute) presentation by board members (me) of Fast Track Cycling to provide an update to the cycling community about the status of the very exciting Indoor Velodrome Project.

Tickets: Raffle tickets are $20 per ticket or 6 for $100;

When: Raffle will be held Wednesday June 24th at 7:00pm;

Where: Join us at Brothers Lounge at 11609 Detroit Ave (W. 117th & Detroit) from 4:00pm to 8:00pm; complimentary food and a cash bar. It’s a party!

The proceeds of the raffle will benefit Fast Track Cycling, Inc. (http://fasttrackcycling.org/) and their efforts to construct an indoor velodrome in the greater Cleveland area.

For tickets or questions, please drop me a line at bdavisatironwood-devdotcom.

Hope you can make it.

Later,

BRD

Mohican Adventures - Indeed!

As of Friday morning, I had not pre-registered for the Mohican 100 so it was still undecided whether I would do the 100 mile or 100k (65 miles). I have competed (and finished) the 100 mile version three times with some good results and some not so good. All of these 100 milers involve some degree of pain and suffering. Within days of completing one of these events, the memories of the 8 to 10 hours of suffering fade but the experience is burned into your brain luring you back year after year.

Ultimately, as the race was to be part of a family camping trip, I decided to do the 100k so I would not be MIA all fricken day (plus I am getting soft and 100k seemed much more sensible/rational).

We loaded up my parent’s motorhome and were on the road by 6pm or so on Friday evening. We arrived around 7:30pm at the new for this year venue at Mohican Adventures on SR 3 by Wally Road. We rented a camp spot for two nights and started getting set up. Got the EZ Up set up just in time for a little rain sprinkle.

Once we got set up, I went to register, but unfortunately they were gone for the night. So I had to add “register” to my list of things to do the next morning before the 7am start time. So I went back to camp, started a fire and we made the kids some smores.

Under the cover of darkness (aided by light) I then proceeded to swap out my rear derailleur, cable and shifter which was busted up from the race last weekend at The Knob. Without too much trouble, I finished that up and spun around the campground for 1 minute shakedown. Good to go!

We put the kids to bed around 10pm and the wife and I sat by the fire and enjoyed a glass of wine. We crashed at 11:30 to the sounds of rain on the RV rooftop.




Got up in the morning and walked down to the convenient store for some coffee and greasy breakfast sandwiches. Got dressed and rode the 1 mile to downtown Loudonville for the start. I found a spot near the front and at 7am sharp we were off. The weather and trails were perfect. Could not have been any better! Low humidity, 70s, light breeze, clear skies, lots of buff single track!

I went semi-hard on the initial climb to stay near the front. Other than that the first 4-5 miles were done at a moderate to high pace. Once we got to the 25 mile State Park loop, I was riding with 3-4 other riders. Then Wes Jones caught and passed me sporting his rigid single speed. I latched onto him and benefited from his pace for the next 15 or so miles. We were together all the way to where we exited the loop for the hike a bike at mile 22 or so (same place many people turned right instead up left up the big hill). Thanks Wes!

After some horse trails we got out onto the dirt roads and a couple steep punchy climbs. I was with several 100 mile riders who where riding pretty conservative pace. I pulled though a couple times and looked back and had a gap; I guess they were conserving for the 100 miles. So I sat up and joined the paceline (at their pace) until we eventually caught and passed Mike Gorman and later John Lorson. I rode with Lorson and the others until just before the Mohican Wilderness section that takes you to the Aid Station which serves as the split for the 100 mile and 100k.

It felt AWESOME knowing I only had 20 miles to go versus 60 miles (in past years when I raced the 100 miler)! Lorson and I left the aid station together and proceeded down Wally Road at a moderate pace. The big gravel road climb to the left lay ahead. Lorson cleaned the whole thing on his single speed. That climb is much easier with 40 miles in your legs versus 80, go figure:) I middle ringed the climb (could not get into the granny). Rode the big rollers with John and I surged at the right turn at the top that leads to the big grassy field.

From that point I rode by myself and did not see anyone until the end. The last 6 miles seemed longer than 6 miles and the sections near the finish were cruel. At the end of the day I finished in 5:38 or so in 7th place overall for the 100k. I felt fresh at the end, so I took the kids fishing and we slayed it catching a few bass in one of the lakes on site.




We stuck around for the evening festivities which included kegs of Sierra Nevada and my favorite..Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold! Got to spend some time with the boys from SoupCan Racing and Bruce from Pisgah Works, among others.

After a night of revelry, we got up early on Sunday morning and I made camp breakfast of eggs and bacon for the kids. After breakfast and a swim in the pool and hottub, we loaded up the RV and did a 6 mile canoe ride with clear skies and perfect weather.




Thanks to Ryan K. for the Mohican Valley canoe referral. All in all a great family weekend with a little bike riding time for Brett thrown in for good measure.

Later,
BRD

Vultures Knob – Groovy Series #2

Raced last Saturday (May 23rd) at Groovy Cycleworks race series #2 at Vultures Knob. Thanks to Kevin Daum and the boys for putting on a great show. There were about 10 Vet Open Experts among the 30 or so experts that took the line for the 5pm start. I pre-rode the prologue and decided the stay near the front to avoid any crashes (there were a couple). At the start, Gary Fisher 29er rider Travis Sealer took off never to be seen again. For much of the prologue I was in second place, then GT Ride Kerry Wenger and some others came by just before the end of the prologue. I could not (would not) hold their wheel and they were gone. Midway through the second lap, I saw Wes Jones coming up, so I sped up a little and he was gone (he crashed). later in that lap, he caught back up again and passed me as I was having some mechanical issues. Soon thereafter Lorson came flying by relegating me to 5th place. I was taking it easy trying to nurse my ailing rear derailleur. It felt good to slow down! I finished up a few minutes behind Wes and John in 5th place. Stayed around for the party and had a great time. I like the Knob!

Later,

BRD

Bike Riding

Have been doing a little bikin' here and there. Did first Westlake race on 5/5. I got into an early break with Dick, Batke and Riccardi. We stayed away for 2 laps (I think). We got caught and Batke and Bob Martin took off. A few more joined them later, then Paul Martin took a few more to form the final move with what appeared to be at least 10 strong. The rest of us would ride steady and would not get a glimpse of the lead group again. I broke a spoke with 5 to go. Stopped to have a look and unhooked the rear brake so the wheel would spin. Jumped back in and rode in with the group.

Then on Thursday 5/7, I did a hard ride with Shaker Group that included Derek and some others. Lots of accelerations and hard efforts.

Last week I got out Wednesday and Thursday. Then on Saturday I did 4 hours on the mountain bike with 5 laps on the O&E Camba trail. On Sunday, I got in just under 3 hours Zone 2 and Zone 3 riding on the road bike. Yesterday I managed 3 laps at the Knob (2 with Twining). Tonight, the plan is to race at Westlake tonight for some speed and hard efforts.

Trying to race Saturday at the Knob and considering doing the 100k at Mohican.

Later,
BRD