Let the Jealousy Begin!

I had a talk with Mike, my MTB team director yesterday about what bikes I will be racing this year and which events I'll be doing. I'll be racing a Niner singlespeed in almost every event. It will be light blue with green I-9 wheels. Depending on the course, I'll run a Manitou fork or the new Niner carbon fork. Here's the cool part-my frame is going to glow in the dark. Really, how cool is that? Who wouldn't want a glow in the dark bike? I could go camping with it- I wouldn't ever step on it at night accidentally. If I get delirious in endurance races at night- I'll still be able to find my bike. I wonder just how glow in the dark it is? Anyways- I'll race that bad boy most races but still have access to a geared bike if I need it. I'll also have a Jet9 suspension bike to use for 24 Hr events ( Big Bear and Moab ). Looks like all I have to worry about is getting to the race and racing my bike this year. ( Did I mention it glows in the dark?) Were going to have demo Niners for people to try out too so stop by the Terrapin Trailer and try one out. Coming soon to a race near you. Gotta go ride- Later- DH

Quick update

I just got back from the 12 Hours of Santos. I'm tired and sore but here's a quick update. Good weather- 70s daytime, 30s at night. Went down with Adam and Joel, Justin met us there. Good course- I had to race my rigid singlespeed making it a good bit tougher. That course was hard on the SS, rode a few laps and decided to overgear it and hope I could still turn the cranks over on the last few laps. The race went well- ended up winning the Singlespeed class by 2 laps and placing 5th overall. Not too bad- can't wait to get my geared bike with a suspension fork! Held up pretty good and rode strong. The last 3 hrs were very rough- I was barely making it up over the climbs and the downhills were beating me to pieces. I kept it rolling though and had a good finish. Same exact course as last year and I got in 15 laps on the 9 mile course instead of last year's 14 laps. I was really feeling the effort after this one. Usually I finish feeling like I could keep riding- not this time. I think it was the rigid fork and the tall gear on the climbs. My arms, back, and Delts were all cramping w/ 3 to go due to yanking up on the bars for leverage so much. Anyways- another great Gone Riding event in the books. Everyone that came with me had a good day and a good trip. Next up- S.E. Regional #1 ( If my new bike shows up!)
Later-
DH

Guess I complained enough in the last post!

The sun is finally out. It's been 72 degrees and sunny the last four days. This has done wonders for my "bicycle pedaling in competition practice". ie- training. Ended up with 22 hrs and 380 miles this week. Yesterday and today were beautiful out- got in 4 hrs yesterday and a 6 hr death march w/ Mr. Lee today. We did the same loop ( for the most part ) as last week but at 235 watts avg instead of last week's 218 avg. Partly due to bumping another 15 mins. onto the tempo block I did, and partly due to the fun of running 25 mph down hardpack dirt roads, we ended up w/ 120 or so miles. Those roads were perfect today- moist and fast instead of the normal dry and sandy conditions. Francis Marion National Forest is covered with roads like that, you could ride for days up there and not do the same loops. I really need to start heading further north and do some exploring. Anyways, I've got some good tan lines now, lost a few pounds and am starting to feel real strong on the bike. I don't have any speed yet but that will come pretty fast. I can turn a big gear over forever but probably couldn't accelerate out of a wet paper bag! Plenty of time for that later- another week and a half of base training and then I get to do some real suffering!

Later-

DH

Why won't it warm up?

Man- I'm about sick of the cold. I live at the beach for goodness sakes. One or two really cold days during the winter is about the most we ever get. That's why I like it here- mild winters. 40 as the low, 60 as the high. Feels like I never left Brevard. I feel colder here than I've ever been. Seems like WNC has been colder this winter than normal too. That last trip I took to Asheville was probably the coldest I've ever been- I never remember it being that cold. Actually, it feels colder a good bit of the time due to the incessant wind ripping through here. At least it's sunny!
Shouldn't be much longer until warmer weather though- just have to make it through today and tomorrow, the weekend is suppose to get back up to the 50-60 range. Then, my trip to FL will be here before I know it. When I get back from there, it will be spring here and no more cold! I should probably quit whining now- could be raining, I'll take cold over rain any day! Have to go now- need to take 1/2 hr to get dressed for my 1 hr commute to work.
Later-
DH

Wind blast 2009 ride

Man it was windy today! I left the house at 11:00 this morning hoping to get in 5 hrs. on the bike. The first hour wasn't bad, I had a pretty stiff crosswind through to the North side of Mount Pleasant. Stopped by the shop to pick up some water and shed some layers. Good timing as I had to pee so bad I rode the last 2 miles standing up.
After the short stop I pushed on North to Francis Marion Natnl. Forest and miles of quiet paved roads and tons of gravel forest roads. After the rash of flats I was ready for gravel and had installed some new tires. I was packin' 2 tubes, a patch kit, 3 CO2s, an inflator, and my frame pump taped on. ( Traditional road frames are the only ones that really work- but they don't fit on Madones without a little riggin' ) I turned left on Guerin's Bridge road and was dead on into the wind for the next 3 hours. Great. What the heck- I need to do an hour or so of Tempo so that actually worked out well. Put it on 280-300 watts and rolled. A little over an hour later I was done with that interval, ended up averaging 290 watts. Still feeling strong I hit the gravel road network for awhile, ending up at the Witherbee Ranger Station to fill up my bottles again. Somewhere along the line I heard a pop. Looking back at my rear wheel I saw no problems and kept rolling. Must have been the wind or lack of food, or fatigue that I didn't notice the broken spoke in my front wheel. Not good on an 18 spoke, paired spoke wheel. That thing was so far out of whack that it wouldn't even spin with the brake released. I managed to twist up the offending spoke pretty good, offset my brake some, and the wheel turned again. How long had that been going on? I heard it pop a ways back!
Anyways- Made it to Monk's Corner by a little over 4 hrs. in. Stopped for more water and food and got ready to finish it up back to Charleston. Only 40 some odd miles to go. I had calculated that I would get a tailwind now. Due to the incredibly competent Meteorologists at the weather channel these calculations were a little off. Another crosswind it is! At least I didn't have my nose in the headwind anymore though. Turns out that the wind wasn't bad as I made it back to Charleston in a little under 2 hrs. Crossed over the connector to James Island with a tailwind ( finally) and rolled on in right at 6 hrs of riding, 113 miles, 142 avg. HR, and a 218 watt average. Not a bad day's work. It's suppose to get really cold again tonight and tomorrow. That's fine- I think I'm scheduled for 1/2 hr or 1 hr. at the most on the rollers tomorrow morning. Nice, easy spin to clear out the junk from today. I think I'm gonna go surf the couch for awhile!
Later-
DH

Last Weekend Was Cold!

I was up in Asheville for 4 days last week. Adam and I headed up Wed. after work to attend a bicycle fit class on Thursday and Friday. It was a good class and we learned alot. It was very cold however and we nearly froze to death Thursday night at Bent Creek. When Robert, Adam, and I made it to the top of Green's Lick trail my computer read 10 degrees and both my waterbottles were frozen. After a slow, freezing descent resulted in frozen tears and eyelashes we called it a night.

More class on friday, then riding after work. As it was 1 degree on the bank sign when we woke up we decided to ride indoors that night. Robert made some phone calls and got us in to use the computrainers at Asheville Velo Sports. That was fun and quickly got out of hand. We were suppose to have a nice easy spin. However, when all 3 of us got rolling, we could see each others power, speed, and position on the screen. Within 1 minute of starting it was on. I looked up and I was already at over 400 watts for the first few minutes. I tried to chill out but it was hard as everyone was trying to ride the others into the ground. What a room of idiots. Anyways, after 1/2 hr I was averaging 265 watts and decided that I had to knock it down to under 200 ASAP. That was the general consensus of everyone as we declared an uneasy truce for the rest of the ride. After dinner at Marco's Pizza we hit the sack.

Sat- got in a great 4 1/2 hr. road ride. Warmer weather and a good group with some sense made the time fly by. Legs were light and cadence high. Could have probably ridden 2 more hrs.

Sun- Another good ride at Bent Creek. Got in about 3 hrs. and rode every trail there. Saw some cool stuff-literally. Lake Powhatan was frozen solid. After some strategic rock throwing and probing we inched out on it hanging from a bridge (just in case). After we had proven that it was indeed frozen solid we walked around some and Adam even rode out on the ice on his bike. Crazy.

After that we were exhausted and headed home to warmer weather. The cold weather followed us here and it was freezing by morning. Rode home in snow flurries Tues. night. Snow at the beach. Nice. Hope it returns to the normal 60 degree winter weather soon!

DH

5 days

It's been five days now. No caffeine, carbonation, or refined sugar. I think I'm starting to get over the hump. The headaches and body pain have started to subside. I still feel as if my head is in a fog but that should clear up soon. I keep telling myself that this is a good thing. I also tell myself that this is stupid and I'll crack soon and be back to 5-6 diet cokes a day and 4-5 cookies. But right now I'm holding strong- cold turkey style. Actually, I'm working on mental toughness right now. Someone ( who will be savagely beaten ) has placed a tupperware container of Bananna nut Chocolate chip muffins on the counter near me and has been taunting me. Reminds me of the old days of Cane Creek with Wes taunting me with Oatmeal Cream pies. I could really eat one of those right now. Last time some of those were involved, it turned into a bet over me being able to eat a dozen of them. The large ones, not the 25 cent gas station variety but the costco variety. I ate em' all but had one of the worst sugar high/crashes of my life within 3 minutes of completing the challenge. Looking back- I think I almost died. Look how far off subject I am now. I should probably get a diet coke so I can focus. Oh wait. I don't drink those anymore. The plan is to dump the caffeine so that when I am racing and I drink a coke I get a bigger boost. I have become so use to caffeine now that I can no longer tell that I have had some unless I have a triple esspresso or something. I have lost five lbs. this week after cutting the sugar. That is not too bad to be without.
Anyways- I'll keep everyone updated on this struggle as I progress.
DH

75 degrees and sunny!

Beautiful day out today. It was a nice change from the fog and wet conditions this past weekend gave us. Got out for 80 miles on the road bike today- nice loop, low traffic, and good legs. Got in an hour of tempo that felt like only 30 mins. When I got home and downloaded my ride I had set 3 new peak power marks. That's 4 in the last 3 days! So yeah- fitness is coming along nicely with 6 weeks left until racing starts. Gonna kick it off as usual in FL with the 12 Hrs. of Santos. Last 3 races there ( 12 Hrs. of Razorback included ) have netted me a 3rd, 4th, and 6th in the solo race. I really want to improve on that. I'm a month ahead of my usual fitness level this time of year so everything should go well. This year's race should be tough, hopefully with a deeper field than 2008. Doesn't really matter though- those races are tough enough if no one shows up- it's still 12 hrs! Can't wait. Good trails, great weather, and great people always make that weekend one of the best of the year.
Before that trip however, I have a trip to Asheville to make on the 15th-20th of Jan. I'm going to a bicycle fitting seminar to learn more about that. Should be good- I'm really starting to get into the subtleties of that. Then I'll ride the latest and greatest bikes from Fisher and Trek for 3 more days in the area before returning home to the land of zero elevation and bad pavement.
Yeah, FL. Santos. Bring it on.
Later-
DH

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

Triple Option

Wow. 409 rushing yards against UGA. Ya knew the triple option was coming. Giving up multiple 60 yd. touchdowns. Stings doesn't it?
Go Jackets!

Bike improvements

Got out to the trails again today for 45ish miles. Nice, sunny day with 50 deg. temps and no wind. My rig is running great now since I made a few crucial upgrades. Gone is the aluminum switchblade fork- in it's place is the carbon version. Waayy smoother ride now and I think it is a tad lighter if that means anything. Ditched the Thompson seatpost too ( not because it is a bad post- still the best out there for most bikes!) and replaced it with a Bontrager XXX carbon variety- again, much smoother although prob. heavier- see how things even out! Last on the list was to can the BMX grips and replace them with a pair of green Ergon GX-1 grips. Those grips are great! I've been trying to get a pair for the last year but none of my distributors have had 'em in stock. Worth the wait. I've had problems with my two outside fingers and 1/2 my hand going numb about an hour into a ride since 12 hrs. of Santos this year. Once I got the angle right (critical) the grips worked great- I've got in two four hr. rides in the last 3 days with no hand problems! Anyways- the bike is riding great now- almost can't tell it is rigid until I get on the gas and it moves! Now- have to find some good wheels for it- the stockers came off a tractor trailer I think.
Anybody have any suggestions for hydration packs- let me know- My hydrapack is getting on my last nerve. It would be great to have something that keeps the water in until I need to use it instead of resembling a cropduster spraying down the trail (and me). Something with straps that one could adjust while riding would be great too!
Later-
DH