Mechanic duty then some training

Not hitting the road for Arkansas this weekend, just too far to drive. Besides, I get to work the local mtb race in Mission. I'll be setting up the Bicycle World tent and doing any last minute adjustments anyone may need, display some bikes and have a few extra parts on hand should anyone have any mechanical issues.
It will be the first time.....maybe ever, that I've been at a race and not been throwing down with all the other racers. I'm actually looking forward to it. Should put a whole new outlook on it for me. I'll get to watch from the outside as racers prepare their equipment, warm-up, etc.
Ahhh, but that laid back attitude will soon end. Sunday I'll be on the road bike for 5-6 hrs, prepping for the Wilderness 101. I'll most likely be over 100 miles Sunday, so this should be a good tune up ride.

Race pics......

.....from Firecracker 50. Beautiful country!

To the grindstone again

Normalcy has returned as I am now back to the heat, humidity, and O2 of South Tex. The week was pretty easy as workouts go, just some recovery stuff, and yesterday finally got to go for a couple hours w/ some tempo in there. Amazing the difference when you can inhale the go-gas to fire away the legs.
Still not 100% on the Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival for next weekend. Should hear back from Scott by this weekend if he can go. I'll need a driving partner for the 12-14 hr 1-way journey.
If that doesn't pan out, the next go-round will be the Wilderness 101 Aug 1st.
I just need to get my mojo back from last weekends disaster.

Marathon Nats

To put it bluntly, I rode like a small child today. The 5400ft of climbing per lap at elevation cooked me in 1 lap. I called it quits shortly after the start of lap 2. My first DNF ever, and I feel pretty damn bad about it too. It's a hell of a long way to come for that kind of effort.
I wasn't too far out of the picture after that first lap, 11th, but once I hit that big climb back out of the start/finish area, I new I didn't have much left for lap 2.
So much for my sea level to 10,000 ft race experiment......it didn't work.

Firecracker 50 pre-ride

Got out on the course yesterday with Mike Padgett. Controlled pace with some shorter bursts to open up the legs a bit. I could notice the elevation a bit, we're at about 9500ft and go up from there, but overall was not effected too much. Good climbs,super fun single/double track, and incredible views throughout highlight the course.
Our place we're staying at is 100yds. from the finish line. I can look at it right now as we speak. Got lucky on that one.
Race heads out from town in about 3.5 hrs. Need to get in some stretching, and some other race prep.
See you back here later today for a short recap.

Just a little early

It's hard enough to get my team director up early(my wife), but when she finds out that we're 4 hrs early to the airport, it's not a good thing.
You see, I mis-read the tavel times. I thought we were flying out at 7:30am, but no, that's for Wilderness 101 next month. Our flight to Colo. leaves at 10:55am, so we were just a bit early when trying to check in at 6:30......ooops!
So I had to take Marci out for breakfast to pass the time. Still have about an hour before boarding. Good time to make a post.
Total riders for Nats has reached it's limit at 750. Breckenridge will be infested with skinny little leg shaving freaks for the 4th of July wknd.
Stay tuned for more Colorado good times.

Countdown.....

.....to Nats is on. The meat of the training is done, just a couple more days in the Valle before heading out.
Both workouts this weekend were short and sweet at 2ish hrs each. Went through the bike Fri. at the shop and it worked flawless Sat.
Road ride was good Sun., decent pace once we got it cranked up. Legs had plenty of snap and power. Looking forward to putting them to work on the 4th.
Packing is in session(don't want to forget anything).