Trying not to finish last
XC racing is not my cup of tea, but since I built a race bike, I might as well give it a shot. I am not podium material, my training is rather limited by an active family life, so my goal is to finish the race and not to finish last.
Here’s my racing machine, the KHS Alite Team.
Since I switched jobs, my bike commuting has been kept to a bare minimum, so what I’ve tried to do is utilitarian/recreational cycling with one of my favorite bikes, the DB Xtracycle:
Hauling up to 50lbs on a 40lb bike gives you a good work out! I’m also riding my Single Speed 29er:
Riding my ‘dumb’ (read GearE comment here) machine has increased my cardio and has helped me maintain my weight (by puking).
I also alternate between Mountain Biking and Road riding, long road rides help me build some needed endurance.
Last but not least, my racing machine will get 2 deserved upgrades:
A new XT crankset and some nice XTR shifting cables.
Race day is October 4th, Joe, Priscilla and myself will be riding the first race of the Triple Crown at Bonelli Park, it should be fun… as long as I finish my race and I don’t come in last!
Nice cranks!Can I have your old ones :)? By the way, XTR cables are the bejezuz! They should be lined with the Shimano special grease…that stuff is magic!
RL
You’ll be fine and I’m sure you’ll do really well. Just get into “the Moe” mindset… 🙂
Moe are you doing all 3 races for the series?
I forgot to mention, do a quick spring at the start to get in front of your category, drop some tacks on the ground, that should help you get at least a few minutes ahead of them while they sit there and fix their flats!
I’m thinking about it… Since most likely I’ll be doing Mt Sac, I might as well do the last one too.
Hey Moe, like RL said jump ahead then ‘crop-dust’ them instead… 🙂
Question: What mud guards/flaps/fenders are those on your ‘dumb’ SS?
They are the planet bike crud catcher and the Planet bike rear ‘flipper’ detachable fender. They do an awesome job in keeping my face and ass clean.
I think your ss riding is going to help a lot. I’ve started my commutes to work back up now that the kiddos are back in school too. Hoping it will help a bit out there on race day.
Thanks Moe! I’ve been checking out flaps/guards lately for the upcoming wet weather riding. Saw the folding from Bontrager but yours look better…
Good Luck and have FUN. Nice tribute to to Geir E, BE Cautioned your SS training bike won’t have great resale value, because it only has one gear.
I’m rooting for you, Moe — remember that there is great glory to be had in “DFL”, too. You know why? Because you finished the race…something most Americans would be utterly incapable of doing. Hell, there are lots of folks out there who get winded just eating a sandwich!!
By the way, GearE is an idiot.