It's So Hard to Say Goodbye....

While we are sad to see a friend leaving, we're also very excited at the prospects of awesome riding in Virginia. I think we already have our Spring Break trip planned! Melissa...I hope you're ready for some Wild & Crazy Girls! In the mean time, heal up and rest well.

Logansport - DINO #6

Sunday granted me a chance to display what I think is a strength—flat, hammer sections. Indeed I flew through the double track and fire roads spinning in the big ring reminding myself of Tuesday Tempo Torture. While most of the course is flat and wide open, I seemed to lose a lot of time in the 2 single track sections and 2 hike-a-bike sections. Yes, this XC race has a little Cyclocross thrown in the mix. (See Wikipedia definitions in the links.)

Five years ago, I was elated to find a sport that didn’t involve running. I played a little basketball, soccer, and racquetball, but cycling presented a whole new world. Now I could get a workout without pounding my legs on pavement while seeing the countryside. Next came mountain biking. Being in the woods most of the time, I could now pedal without wearing sunscreen. My life must have peaked already because Logansport has two sections where we must RUN while carrying our bikes. Did I miss something? This is an XC race. OK, ok, I knew to expect it. It’s the trade-off of having the flat sections.

So, I finished 4th out of 6 Expert women. (One of the 6 crashed and DNF'ed.) Among us was this year’s XC national champion. I didn’t feel too bad coming in 20 minutes behind her. She’s FAST! The usual suspects were there in our usual places. Promises of higher results next year linger on my lips. For now, ride on.

Topping off the afternoon was the Marathon gas station in one of the little towns outside of Logansport. We stopped to use the restroom. As I was waiting on Meredith to exit the facility, I heard the roar of Randi’s favorite blower – the Exlerator! I’ll have to get the name of the town, so Randi can add it to her list.

Also, Meredith continues to dominate the Sport class racers with another first place victory. We rode together throughout the whole course peeling off only when she finished and I started my 3rd lap. Congrats Meredith!

Nebo Ridge in pictures

Jason at 15 minutes into this wheelie



I think this is Ang


is this Heather or Randi?


and Meredith


Mike

everyone

toxic sludge?

me trying to take photo while riding downhill - that's not easy!

Randi is a shy girl and doesn't like to post

but she loves to climb hills, and mountains. Heck, she'd climb a bridge from earth to the moon if she could.

I'm tempting her with some hill climbing races for next year

Whiteface MTN climb

Mt Washington climb

Mauna Kea climb

Mt Evans climb

if you know others, put them in a comment for her to see!

thanks!

Road Ride to Cataract Falls

Randi, Angela and Cheryl tood a nice little ride this morning - all the way to Alaska and to Cuba!

oops!


the Morris Trucking girls:



the white river? maybe it shoudl be the brown river:


when did ghost towns start carrying Pepsi!


see - Alaska!


nice covered bridge just beyond is little cataract falls which I didn't get to photograph because the state park wanted to charge us to get in, and none of us were carrying our state park pass - lesson learned!


an awesome little general store - with antique gas pumps out front, and antique coca-cola memorabilia inside


see - Cuba!



then finally back to Indiana ;-)

(B)LAST - DINO #5

DINO #5 was a blast! I came to win. I rode hard. I even rode fast. Unfortunately, several others came to win, rode hard, and rode faster. Yep, I came in last—5th place. If losing is this much fun, I’d do it every time.

Another congratulations to Meredith on her First Place in the Series. Her consistent victories are holding the X-Wing Fighters in contention for first place in the DINO Team competition.

Westwood is my favorite course in the Do INdiana Off-road (DINO) series. Encircling Westwood lake, the trail covers 10 miles of twisty single-track with short, steep climbs around many of the corners. Tim O’Donnell (Loretta) of HMBA wrote an eloquent synopsis in Dirt Rag Magazine. I found myself asking a similar question of his, “What is it about this place?” Flying through the trees with glimpses of the lake, jumping onto bridges that hover over murky swamps, and finding the short section of pine that smells wonderful are all reasons for my smiles throughout this race.

While I had decent positioning on the start line, the racer in front of me bobbled on the short hill just before entering the woods. I lost my inside advantage of getting in front of some of the other riders and entered last into the woods. No worries; feeling strong, I knew someone would blow up, and I would pass without mercy. I just kept pedaling and listening for the shifting of gears and braking in front of me to figure out where the competitors were. Twice I heard my own braking as I locked up the rear wheel going too fast into a corner. Fortunately, I stayed upright.

Alas, the finish line came in sight—but not the other riders. They finished before me. My time was decent and I’m rather pleased. The day was too much fun. I’m not going to wait until next year to do this again. Anyone up for a road trip?