Mandatory end of the year post

Here's the mandatory end of the year post about my 2009 race schedule, team, and thanks to 2008 sponsors.

I will be racing for Wake Racing out of Athens, GA. I'm not sure yet what the sponsors are 100% but here are the ones I know:
I'll be riding Niner frames, XO drivetrain, I-9 wheels, Hayes brakes, WTB tires and saddles, Thompson posts and stems, ergon grips and packs, Cane Creek 110 headsets, Manitou forks, Crank Brothers pedals, and Louis Garneau clothing and helmets. I'll post more on that when I know everything.
Should be a real solid group of racers- don't know all of them yet but looking forward to racing with Chris Janizewski, Shey Linder and the others.

My 2009 schedule will be 10-11 XC races ( mainly SERC series ), XC National Championships in CO, 4-5 12 Hr races, 24 Hr National Championships in AZ, and a couple of 100 milers ( prob. Fool's Gold in Dahlonega,GA and Shenendoah 100 in VA ). I'll fill in w/ road races whenever else I can. I'd like to take care of unfinished business at Master's Nationals in KY if time off permits.

Thanks to my 2008 Sponsors- been with these guys a long time- Cane Creek and Maxxis. These companies have provided me with some of the best equipment out there and I am very thankfull for that. I will fortunately be riding Cane Creek again but due to WTB sponsoring the team, I will have to say farewell to Maxxis tires. Gonna miss em'

Everyone have a great 2009!
DH

12/31/08

Tenderized

Man I'm sore. It's been awhile since I've ridden moto that hard. Usually out there with Alex and waiting from time to time. Rode pretty hard for 3 hrs. Feels like I've been doing lunges for that long. Pecs are sore too from pulling up on the bars. Wambaw is nothing but 3-4 foot woops in tight trees- hard to let it rip. You have to muscle the bike around alot. Doesn't help that I shoulder checked a tree @ 35mph. Anyways- hope to feel more mobile tomorrow so I can get a good ride in.
Later-
DH

Wambaw

I wanted to get in a good ride today. Didn't feel like riding the road bike. Tired of Marrington so the MTB is out. Oh yeah- I've got the Kawasaki. Almost forgot about that. Loaded up the trailer and moto and was soon off for Francis Marion National Forest. Pulled up at the Wambaw Swamp ORV area and was pleased to see that the normal deep, powdery sand was soaking wet. That means good traction instead of slippery mess that is tough to ride. I wasn't dissapointed- the trail conditions were great- moist sand with some mud puddles every now and then. Got caught in a torrential downpour about 9 miles in. That didn't last too long and soon everything dried up. Got in a couple of laps on the 20 mile North Loop, packed up and rolled on home for a shower and some food.

Later-

DH

No White Christmas Here!

The temp. hit 80 degrees yesterday- or so I heard. Had a nice Christmas day, still get awakened at 6 AM the two children in my house. Opened presents by the time the sun was up. Had Alex's new DRUM SET assembled shortly and we were jammin' out. Liza had a late lunch planned so Alex and I went to the skate park. He skates and I brought the bike. It got so hot while we were there that the shirts came off. Christmas and I am riding shirtless. Pretty rediculous. Pulled an unintentional 360 on the quarter pipe but managed to land it. I'm not sure, but I think I ran over my leg too. It was a pretty close call and we were both getting tired so we headed back home for a terrific Christmas dinner.
After gaining 10 pounds we loaded up and went to the beach for awhile to work off lunch. Home by 3pm then a movie-thon till bedtime closed out the day.

Got out for 55 miles this morning early, then just hanging out today. Getting packed up to head off to Dahlonega, GA to visit w/ my family this weekend. Takin' the mountain bike- hoping to get by Bull Mtn. for some good trails- I'm about to lose my mind riding the same old stuff here. I'll get some good pictures and let you know how the trip turns out.
Later-
DH

Busted

I just thought the cat was dehydrated all the time. He has a water dish the size of a pool. Now I know what's up. I saw him head for the bathroom and stalked up on him Discovery Channel style and here's the evidence. No wonder his breath smells so bad!

DH

Just Another Mega Monday

Got out for another long one today. Pretty much the same route as last mon. but with an extra out and back to check out Lake Moultrie. The "trail" heads NW from there another 27 miles- gonna have to save that for another trip. Changed the route slightly to get around some very wet sections too. Beautiful day out- sunny, 55 deg., and low wind ( a tailwind the last 30 miles this week!) Got in a tad more mileage than last week but knocked 45 mins. off to get back home under 7 hrs. Felt pretty strong today after taking 2 1/2 hrs. to finally get rolling!

Later-DH

More ride pictures

More ride pictures. The picture that looks like nothing but woods and leaves is actually the trail. I swear some parts of that trail have not been used in years. You really have to watch the blazes.

Stickers

Guess what? The election is over. Personal accountability has been done away with. Everybody is going to get bailed out of debt.

Take the Obama or McCain stickers off your cars!!!

We all know who you support- we know who won.

The election has been over for a month.
Guess I'm gonna have to start removing stickers from vehicles ninja style.
That's all I have to say about that.
Later-
DH

117.48

Long ride today. Did a loop that has always been in my head- decided yesterday that I would give it a go. Left my house in James Island @ 8:00 AM and headed west to Monks Corner. Then up to Bonneau where the Swamp Fox passage of the Palmetto trail starts. 45 miles later, I was in Awendaw on Hwy 17. Back to the house from there. Crosswinds for the 45 miles to Monks Corner, tailwinds on the trail where it didn't matter, and 26-29 mph dead on headwind the last 40 miles. Felt fine for 90 miles or so. By mile 95 I had had it with the headwind- I'd been in it for almost 20 miles and was getting tired and hungry. Finally got back to civilization and made a stop for some cookies and a coke. With the exception of averaging 3 mph over the Ravanel bridge, the rest of the ride was fine. Ended up with 7 1/2 hrs. and 117ish miles. Not bad, legs were great for the most part, neck and back are fine, and I never really hurt at all physically. ( The mental beating I took in the wind was another story! ) Time for a shower and some rest- I'm sure I'll be hungry soon too ( a double quarter lb. cheeseburger is going through my head right now). Hopefully Liza will be home soon and make us something good to eat so I can avoid the Golden Arches!

Later-

DH