Moab: Day 2- Martian Roller Coaster

Before I left for my trip, my friend David had recommended that I read “Desert Solitaire” by Edward Abbey.  I’m about halfway through it and can strongly suggest it to my literate friends.  Edward Abbey was one of the founding fathers of environmentalism.  In the book, he recounts his time spent as a Park Ranger in Arches National Park in Moab.  He spent 3 seasons there taking in the varied and natural beauty of this ridiculous place.
  

  
Event though its right in the Desert,  I’ve seen what Abbey is talking about.  The terrain and life is rugged and dramatic.  It’s a stark contrast from the manufactured, manicured, and frenzied beauty of NYC.

On day 1 we were met with beautiful desert singletrack and some stunning geological formations.  Today was completely different.  Even though we were maybe 10 miles away from where we rode yesterday, we might as well have been on a different planet.
  


More specifically, Mars.
Today we rode the slickrock trail,   which is known for its, well, slickrock.   I was pumped as hell to give it a try.  The slickrock landscape looks like something the Mars rover must have set eyes upon while on its death march.   Swooping, rolling dunes of solid rock litter the landscape.  The only giveaway that you’re on earth is the beautiful desert life that’s peppered across the land.  



Our guide today was Heidi.   Heidi’s an avid athlete who’s keeps busy by kickin’ ass at trail running when she’s not taking fat, spoiled New York cyclists out for pity rides.   Needless to say, Heidi put us through our paces for the next 4 hours of Mars rovin’.




So how does it ride??   Like a Martian rollercoaster.


 

Riding slickrock is quite a departure from the singletrack that you’re probably used to.   The biggest difference is grip.  It’s Grippy.  Super grippy.  Grippier than my hands are around a Bacon cheeseburger.   While the name “slickrock” may  seem to imply differently,  it earned its name because it is quite slippery when we’re talking about horses and cows.  Horseshoes and slickrock= bovines sliding around like your mother in a Jell-O wrestling match.




So what does that mean?  It means you can ride slick rock at ridiculous angles- up, down, sideways, off-camber, and probably upside-down.  You can ride straight across a 50-degree off-camber that would make a cx-racer weep.  




The Best part of slickrock is the swoopy stuff.  You come to the crest of a slope,   fly down 50 feet and slam right up the incline of the next.    You’ve gotta have the granny gear on hand to get up these inclines.   each of those climbs is a 20-30 second V02MAX effort that forces you to sit so far forward that  you’re practically straddling the steerer tube like a stripper pole and spinning your legs around in your 32X22 (the 32 is in the rear, roadies).  I may have earned a new nickname due to my overzealous spinning while going up these things…
 


Each of these aggressive efforts is like a little interval that you end up repeating about 30-50 times.   We have essentially signed up for a week a daily 4-hour long anaerobic interval workouts.  Coach roger would be so proud…



Understandably,  some of those rises were too steep for us and we ended up dumping out a few times and walking.  This leads me to a very important tip for all of you northeasterners coming to ride slick rock up here:  TAKE OUT YOUR TOE SPIKES BEFORE YOU EVEN THINK OF RIDING SLICKROCK.  Sure,  toe spikes are great when you’re knee-deep in mud at Granogue or tap-dancing on a street corner, but on a steep slickrock incline they are about as useful as a Bacon AT-AT in a synagogue.


 

Around the midpoint of the ride we came across a bit of a playground-  it was akin to the empty pools skateboarders do tricks in,  but naturally formed.  it was a blast to swoop in and out and take some banked turns.   Naturally this was the perfect time for a far superior rider named Kyle to show up and demonstrate how terrible we actually are…




The whole slickrock trail is situated high above Moab.  Depending on where you were you could overlook the whole town  or the mighty Colorado River.   What better place to sit down and enjoy the view then on the edge of a sheer 1000 ft cliff face.





I can say without hesitation that romping around on this Martian terrain was one of the best bike experiences I’ve had in my life.  Who knows what planet we’ll end up on tomorrow?

2006 Cross Nationals Recap: Trebon Dominates, Christophe Palpitates

Wow.

Wowie Wow Wow.

Nationals was fan-friggin-tastic.


I don't really know where to begin recapping this action packed weekend. We drove up to providence Saturday morning with more than enough time to catch the UCI elite men's race. This was to be the main event of the weekend, and they certainly put on a show. The course was huge and really well designed, complete with three sets of stairs/run ups, crazy off-cambers, and some sick barriers. This was a fast course and it was perfect for the large crowd that showed up to watch the battle.


Well, as most people guessed, Ryan Trebon stepped up and decimated everyone. Someone set Trebon to "kill." He just pushed and pushed and pushed and no one had an answer for his attack. He finished almost a minute up on the Chase group and rightly took the win. It was pretty spectacular to watch, and I jumped at the chance to get up close for a few shots:



For the record: this man is a behemoth- 6 foot frigging 5. what a beast.



A few thousand people showed up. It was awesome having a huge crowd, complete with more cowbells than I would know what to do with! Some guy even brought a pair of cymbals. I almost felt as if we were in Belgium watching Sven in the worlds. Here were the cream of the crop cross racers in the US racing their hearts out in front of us. You can just see the pain cross racers go through by the looks on their faces. If you're going all out, there's no hiding it in a cross race. That's what I love about cross- it's raw. You go out there and rip yourself apart in order to win, and it shows.

We met up with Jay and took a spin with him while he warmed up for the elite race. It was good to see him again and I though he did well given the field he was up against. Good job getting on the boards, bud!



After watching a few other races unfold, we checked into the hotel and got some rest for the next day. Chad and I were going to race in the under 35 B field, with over 172 registered riders.
Being as it's a class higher than what I normally race, and there were almost 200 people in it, I set realistic goals:

1) don't get lapped
2) don't get pulled before the halfway mark (since the race followed UCI rules, if you are pulled halfway through the race, you're not counted as finished and you don't place. )

Well, i accomplished one of my goals- I got pulled right at the last lap. Still, I was happy with how I did. The course had decided to thaw right before our race- the result was off-cambers that were covered in a slick peanut-buttery mud that was super tough to ride over.

I wanted to make sure i chose good lines each time, as the course was pretty twisty. After about 3 warm up laps, I had a pretty good sense of the course, which really came in handy during the race.



Staging was a savage madhouse. You could feel the energy pouring out of the racers. everyone was excited and screaming and ready to go, and It was quite the scene. The same goes for the start. having 172 riders go from a standstill to a sprint is pretty fun to watch, and its exciting as hell to be in the middle of it all.



The course was a TON of fun to ride, but it was pretty painful. there was one set of stairs/run up that i soon developed a hate/hate relationship with. After about the 2nd lap, I was on the pain train. The run ups were pure suffer, but that's the name of the game. I think the coolest part of the course (aside from the bowl) was the barrier area. They set it up right next to the beer tent! Every time you approached it, you were greeted by beer-fed cheers and cowbells galore. You just had to pray that you didn't wipe out right there.



I ran into a small group of other NYC racers that had come up. It was great to see them!



Out of 172 riders, 147 were counted as finished. I came in 144th. all things considered, I'm happy with the results and had a killer time in the process.

After our race, we happened to be by the cyclocross world tent. Lo and behold, Lyne Bessette and Tim Johnson happened to be signing autographs! sweet! I got to chat it up with those two for a few minutes, which was great. They were totally approachable and super friendly. I'd been reading about their race results all season, so it was nice to be able to meet them in person.


As I sit here typing away at my computer before i take a much-needed doze, I can't help but look back on my first cyclocross season. I big smile's on my face as I'm typing this. This season has been such a blast, and I've fallen in love with a sport that I knew almost nothing about 6 months ago. I've met some wonderful people on the way, and I've pushed myself past my perceived limits. I'm looking forward to next season, as it can only go up from here!



I'll be making more of an effort to train specifically for cross next year. Hopefully I can race well in both road and cross, and I'll do everything I can to not get burnt out by the time cross season comes around. It's a delicate balance.

To see all the photos from this weekend, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stophe/sets/72157594425343056/

Bonus- I just ordered my Campy gruppo for the cross bike for next season. Next year, I'll be upgrading my cross bike to Campy Veloce/Centaur, slapping Ksyrium elites on there, and bolting on some carbon FSA K-wing bars for good measure. that should shave a few hundred grams off of the bike. Couple that with the 8 lbs I'm trying to lose, and I should be off to a good start for next season!

Well,
now it's time to prep for road racing!

I'll be taking it easy for the next week or two, but then Its base miles, base miles, base miles...
Should be a TON of fun.

Hall of Fame 'Cross race (and more cowbell!)

Took part in the Hall of Fame cyclocross race in Augusta, NJ yesterday. All the proceeds from the race went towards the cycling hall of fame. the race was also #7 of the NJCC (New Jersey Cross cup).

Well, the Indian summer had finally broken then night before due to a large cold front whipping across the country. magically, it was sunny the next morning, but cold. Chad and I drove out to Augusta (made the trip in 1 hr thanks to my nutso driving skilllzz).

The course was held at the Skylands ball park. The course was pretty interesting, although not my all-time favorite. Having the course wind through the ballpark itself was a pretty good idea, though...

There was a long paved section, but the wind was so strong that you couldn't really do anything with it. There were also more incline sections than a normal cross race, which I knew I wouldn't enjoy (but that's just the 'cross course telling my fat ass to lose more weight)

When the race started, there was a pretty long starting sprint. being stronger in that area, i was able to position myself well. after the first lap, the rest of the race was me doing damage control (trying to let as few people pass me as possible). The uphill sections, as i predicted, where not fun. i was able to hunker down and make up time on the asphalt whenever i could, but it was super windy. I was doing well on the technical stuff, but again, uphill sections are no fun when you're at threshold the entire time. Ah well, such it the nature and beauty of our sport.

I ended up coming in 23rd our of 35. Happy with the results. as long as I don't come in last, the cross race is a success!


The A Race was good to Watch. Todd of NYC Velo got a nice gap and won by about 20 seconds. Andrew (the owner of the shop) also raced. He's probably one of the nicest bike shop owners I know. He's great to talk to and loves shooting the breeze. Always a good time.





For the record, I think NYC Velo's Team kits are the snazziest ones out there. I'd love to ride in those colors...



to see all the pics from the race, click HERE

I've got one more race next week before nationals. it'll be a good tune up race. make sure everythings going well, work on some technical stuff, and most of all, enjoy the course.

I'm excited about nationals, but nervous. Nationals is being held in Providence. I'll be driving up to Boston that Friday and staying the weekend. I'll be meeting up with Jay. Should be a great time. I'm itchin' for some chowdah. I'm going to be racing in the B race since they aren't organizing a C race (which i find a little stupid...). consequently, there's over 170 people signed up for the B race. should be a fantastic mess. As long as I don't get mixed up in any pile ups, I'm just going to keep my head down, stay on rhythm, and do my best. (and hopefully not come in last.) After the race, I'm going to get drunk and watch the other races. you can be damn sure I'm bringing my cowbell.


I bet Christopher Walken would love a good cross race. Right up his alley.


The equipment award of the week goes out to Greyhound Juice. That stuff kept my legs nice and warm and my lower back (relatively) loose. Watch out for their super strength stuff, it's pretty hot. It comes in a deodorant stick form, but whatever you do , do NOT put this stuff on your pits. you'll cry like a little Nancy.

extra important tip- do yourself a favor and put the greyhound juice on AFTER you've applied your chamois cream. that is, unless you're into feeling like you got a nasty VD...

I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more COWBELL- Cyclocross race in Augusta, NJ

After taking a break from 'cross racing last weekend in order to take the LT test, I was eager to get back to it.

I was ready for more pain. I was ready for more fun.

I was ready for more cowbell.

The Augusta race was the last of the NJ cross series. I've participated in about 3 others, and thought they were fantastic races with well designed courses and a warm, welcome feel. All of the courses had been very well designed, and each race was a completely different experience because of it.

Upon my arrival, a thick fog had descended over the course. This, of course meant it was much colder than it would be later in the day. the C races always go first, and that normally means they have to race in colder (and sometimes crappier conditions. Isn't it funny how that works?

The temperature was in the 40's while i was on the bike. aside from my feet, which were numb by the end of the race, I felt fine.

I had a chance to spin my legs out and warm up, which is so important on a cold race day. I got to chat it up with a few new and familiar faces. You end up seeing many of the same people for most of these races, which makes for a more friendly and familiar feel.

As we waited for the start, the race organizers thanked us for coming out, and invited us to all come back next year for another great cross experience. I'm looking forward to it.

Once the whistle was blown, the bunch sprint started. I knew this was going to be a faster course than usual, so I decided to put a little more energy into the starting spring in order to vie for a better position.

I stuck with the pack for a good while until it spread out, but was happy with my placement. It's a delicate balance between putting enough energy to be in a good spot and blowing yourself up too early.

The course was indeed fast; there were some nice descents that allowed you to get a good bit of speed. however, with descents come rises. and run ups.

After the first lap, i started to feel it. I concentrated on keeping a steady rhythm and choosing the best lines through the turns. there were a few slips here and there, but no hilariously awesome crashes to report (unfortunately, i know...)

The pain train went on until i heard the bell lap. One of my goals for this race was to not get lapped. I saw the leaders making way, and I started to push it harder in order to avoid getting spanked. I was able to hold off and complete the full five laps. I had a strong last lap, and was able to pass a few people. I ended up coming in 36th out of 54. A little better than each prior race. A good end to a good race.

My back and my lungs were killing me, but i felt good (in a terribly painful sort of way.) My obnoxiously green steed was with me the whole way, and took some solid pounding without complaints. I'm yearning for a more solid wheelset, however (I'm lookin at you, 2007 Ksyrium Elites...)

Big ups to Patrick Clifford, who's been rocking the C- races all season. he came in second this week and was first at Jamestown. Super talented guy, and really personable. look out for him. and a Super big thanks to my buddy Tom for snapping most of these shots. Thanks for comin out buddy!

In my limited experiences with cyclocross (five races),I've noticed that a wonderful paradox exists: Pain and fun. Is it the fun that brings us pain? or is it the pain that brings us fun?

I might be getting a little too poetic here, but I think that anyone who appreciates the concept of suffering on a bike knows what I mean. We jump on these marvelous two-wheeled inventions, and we go out there to suffer. reallly suffer. We want it. It makes us better.

I'm reminded of a quote i read a while back about the relationship between pain and cycling:

"To be a cyclist is to be a student of pain....at cycling's core lies pain, hard and bitter as the pit inside a juicy peach. It doesn't matter if you're sprinting for an Olympic medal, a town sign, a trailhead, or the rest stop with the homemade brownies. If you never confront pain, you're missing the essence of the sport. Without pain, there's no adversity. Without adversity, no challenge. Without challenge, no improvement. No improvement, no sense of accomplishment and no deep-down joy. Might as well be playing Tiddly-Winks."

-Scott Martin

If being a road cyclist means one is a student of pain, then being a 'cross racer is akin to taking the honors courses. It's intense. It's and hour of solid sufferocity. you don't have too much time to contemplate it like you would on a climb a few miles long. You push yourself to the brink, and keep it there until you can't bear it anymore. That's usually when you encounter a muddy run up or a set of barriers. @#$@%^.

When it's all done with, a sense of peace and accomplishment comes over me. regardless of what place I came in. As long as I finish. That kind of pain is cleansing to me. out on that course, the last thing on my mind are my neuroses, romantic problems, and dissatisfaction with life. I guess you could classify what we do as a form of escapism, but the difference is what we do isn't destructive. It's beautiful.


and muddy!