Monumentally Afflicted

Yes, there is a trail in this picture, specifically DLS.  It's not easy to see, because it doesn't get much traffic.  Why?  Because its wickedly technical and obscure.  Sweet.   Did the DLS -> Flow Dog -> Flying Dog hookup.  Good stuff.  It is nice to get out and do some technical riding, now that I'm no longer focusing on endurance training. This week, I also got out on a Colorado Springs trail I've never done before, Williams Canyon.  Talk about awesome!  Some really nice technical riding in a beautiful limestone canyon.  Gotta get back there soon.  The entrance drop-in below the shooting range is a bit "exciting."

Jtek shifter in the house...the question is, "Which bike do I put this on?" What am I talking about? Elegant IGH shifting for drop, or maybe funky, bars...

Took the Inbred out for a spin today w/ the new tires installed 26x3.0 Kenda Flames! Jeez, these things are humongous. So large, in fact, that I had to put the Inbred rigid fork back on. The front tire would not fit on the Marz. I took the tires through everything the Preserve has to offer: sand, rocks, a few roots, and a tiny bit of mud. They worked fairly well. I kept dropping the pressure to see how low I could get. At low pressure, the deformation over trail obstacles is silly. I got a little too low in the rear tire, feeling the tire bottom out on a few rocks. I checked when I got back to the house and I was down to 6.0 psi front / 9.5 psi rear. The rear rim is much narrower, which may mean I need to run a bit higher pressure (in addition to the fact that most of my weight tends to be on the rear tire when going over obstacles). Anyway, it was fun. Only 6 more months til I can try the fatties out in some snow. In the meantime, I'll probably put the bike to use as a kid hauler.

Here is a less traveled trail in Monument Preserve that is a bit more technical than average, but nothing crazy (like DLS). The trail provides nice connectivity between DLS/Black Pearl and Flying Dog...

Well, it's a few days later and I'm feeling fine.  I'm even planning to head out for a ride at lunch today.  That's a good sign...no burnout.   Below are some race pics taken by Chris Tirpak.  Full set is  here . Prerace in the pit with the banner the girls made for me! Night shot below the dam and last hill Cleanish bike before the real rain hits Doing the switchbacks on the mud bike Wondering how I finished w/ 5 minutes to spare! Muddy bike after the race

Well, it's over and done with. I'm very happy with the results: 28 laps in 17 hours and 55 minutes. That equates to somewhere around 165 miles. By far the longest mountain bike "ride" I've done in a day. The race started out dry and super dusty. You have to run from the start line up a small hill, around some trees and back to your bike. It took me about 20 seconds to find my bike once I got to the bike pile. I tried to start the run at a nice slow pace so I'd end up in the middle of the pack for the first lap or two. This meant following 40ish people and eating their dust. It was pretty crazy actually, with there being so much dust that it felt like riding through fog. I pulled the first 2 laps in 61 minutes. Pretty fast considering the run and also that I was trying to go slowly. I came through and Chris told me to slow down. I tried, but still pulled another couple quickish laps. During my 4th lap, my HID battery pack died. Aack. Finished the l...

The race went better than expected. I ended up with 29 laps (28 officially). 5th place. Some massively muddy unrideable laps thrown in for extra fun!

Not all that relaxed, but ready...