Riding fast, dry trails in shorts and short sleeves was a real treat after the weather we have been having since Christmas.   I’ll be sad when things turn back to ‘normal’ again.  Until then get out as much as you can!

See you on the trails.

Former pro moto crosser, turned Single Speed powerhouse, Luke Sagur, completed his sweep of the Winter Short Track Series today with victory #5. 

Luke let Tim Anderson share the lead on and off before cracking him with 2 laps to go.  Jason and Noel were strategically placed in the pack to ensure any attacks were neutralized.

The race conditions were perfect today and which was evidenced by the huge turn out in all the categories.  This year has definitely had the best Winter Short Track racing weather in recent memory, now if only the races could be held on Saturdays instead of Sundays..

Luke doubled up and took on the Super Sport category with his single speed as well and was sitting in second place when his hot dogging over the jump burped his rear tire.  He opted to finish the afternoon on the sidelines with a Bud Lite.

What’s next?  Probably the business park on Tuesday night.  Come on out and be part of the action.

My side kick and I lasted an hour.  She was concerned that I was sweating and thought I should take a break.  She was also a little disappointed that she didn’t ever get sweaty.  It was the quickest hour I ever spent on a trainer, must have been the steady stream of drinks, snacks and lively conversation from my team mate.

This was also a first for the Norco; she has never been on a trainer before.  This off season has seen a lot of firsts for her.

For more information on the non porographic meaning of hard men refer to : http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/

Rule #9

Rule #21

I got my chance on Friday afternoon with Jim starting at 4:01.  Jim showed up on his Superfly rather than his single speed and I had my Superfly single speed so I knew I would be working.  For someone who rides a single speed a lot of the time, Jim shows no mercy to single speeds when on a ride.

We went ripping down the trail which was a little slick from the previous night’s rain.  Jim showed me where he crashed and got his most recent concussion.   I was feeling a little sketchy with the super fast Bontrager XR1’s on the single speed but I was glad to have the acceleration these light tires give every time we came out of a corner.

Anyone who has ridden behind Jim knows his choice of lines can be haphazard to say the least.  So I was really conflicted riding behind him because his lines looked like the right ones to be on by I have trained myself to avoid his lines (I did not want a concussion).  Eventually I gave in and started taking his lines and for the most part he kept me out of trouble.

I rode the big skinny near the lake near the lake and that was enough to break up the pace and we eased up for a while and then it was on to the end.

4:52 we rolled back in the lot.  I have never paid attention to the clock out there before but this was the fastest for me for sure.  But not very fast in the world of Sherman so I’ll have to try again.

Afterwards he was too tired to drink a beer so we helped him with that.

Crossing the Line 1 minute after last lap cut off

The 3 man masters dream team of Mike Thompson, Charles Robinson and Ian Smith not only took first but made a statement by finishing a lap over their nearest competitor (in any category). They were in better condition at the end than this picture shows.

Dream Team

Jessica Thompson told 3rd in the women’s 6hr solo after a hard week of training and then hung out to cheer on the the rest of the team until 9pm which argueably felt longer than the race itself.

Still here cheering for Dad

Noel Kirila put in a solid 3rd inthe 6 hour solo after his partner (how shall remain nameless) for the 12 hour busted his toe Thursday night.

Team Beam/Johnson took 3rd in the 6 hour duo.

Mike Sciame came in 5th in the 6 hr solo , closely followed by Chris Sugar in 6th.

Hope I didn’t miss anyone.

As for myself, after a week in Amsterdam I was in no condition for racing.

there were no kidding 20 000 bikes parked in this garage

the shirt says it all

The 3^rd Annual Rivers edge 50 mile mtb race brings the heat and for good reason.  Fantastic facility and probably the most awesome 12 miles of trails any city has ever seen.  Add that with the best promoter bringing the food, kegs, music and it’s my favorite race of the year.

Looking forward to next year already!

Great work guys, see you in Cat 1 next year!

Crossroads was also quite an event.  Mocksville was good and pretty quiet until 2 to go and I clipped the pedal in turn two and landed off line and peeled my tire off the rim for a DNF.  So now I’m out  for the overall so I’m looking for Points now as to atleast get $150 back.  Concord was good and the points were coming in.  Salisbury was WET and me with all my Mt. biker Skills dumped it with 4 to go and I’m still coddling my road rash as we speak.  Statesville was another WET course and I was sooo Gun Shy that I couldn’t take my turns aggressively and therefor lost my position in front of the pack and finished mid- pack.  Harrisburg was good and DRY but the riders were on and I was fighting to keep a wheel and this little 14 year old kept calling every position in every turn and totally got in my head.  The field sprint was ugly as you could expect with a bunch of 4-5’s. All in all i think I finished 8th in Points and 17 in Leader.  So much for all the waiting and late season training I seem to peak fast and go down hill even faster.  Next update will be about the Summer Series and if I can Keep the Lead till the end.  5 to go! Then SWANK.  Anyone in?