Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Proof
Here is the proof that I actually raced at Red Wing. since I didn't make the first lap, I am not showing up in the results.
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Monday, June 27, 2011
First MMBS Race 2011 - Fail
I decided to head down to Red Wing this weekend for the Wheelhouse Classic MTB race. It was to be my first MMBS race of the season. The conditions were great; partly sunny and dry, and I felt lively.
I was a little late arriving, so everything was a bit of a rush. In the lineup I was all the way to the back, but was allowed to move up because of my permanent number plate. At the start I felt great and was keeping with the pack over the rolling double track. I pushed a little harder and starting passing riders. Once we hit the woods my press was starting to sneak up on me and before I knew it I was redlining. I started to dial it back so I didn't blow, but I was continuing to fade. The places I had taken at the start were slowly whittling away.
After about 2 miles of riding, my water bottle cage was about to fall off. I was considering riding on, but I didn't want to loose my bottle on the first lap. I had to stop, pull out my wrench, and tighten the bolts. I lost some serious position after that and decided to have fun the rest of the way. That's when (at about 4 miles in) I was turning a switchback and didn't see the low hanging branch. It caught me between the eyes, and progressed to the top of my head, leaving a quarter size puncture wound.
With blood coming down my face, a fellow rider (Larry) stopped to help me out. He was very kind to guide me to the nearest exit. I made it back to the start area with alot of attention. The paramedics were very helpful and cleaned the wound. Once they got the bleeding to stop, they wrapped my head so I could get home. I looked like I was a wounded soldier.
I made it home, showered and went to Urgent Care. The doctor scrubbed the wound and pulled it open to look for stick parts (by far the most painful event). After it was cleaned, she pulled out the stapler and hit me with 4. No Novocaine, just pain. Here is a camera phone photo of the results.
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Not a great photo, but you can see where the stick hit the bridge of my nose, progressed up my forehead, and piercing my melon.
I was a little late arriving, so everything was a bit of a rush. In the lineup I was all the way to the back, but was allowed to move up because of my permanent number plate. At the start I felt great and was keeping with the pack over the rolling double track. I pushed a little harder and starting passing riders. Once we hit the woods my press was starting to sneak up on me and before I knew it I was redlining. I started to dial it back so I didn't blow, but I was continuing to fade. The places I had taken at the start were slowly whittling away.
After about 2 miles of riding, my water bottle cage was about to fall off. I was considering riding on, but I didn't want to loose my bottle on the first lap. I had to stop, pull out my wrench, and tighten the bolts. I lost some serious position after that and decided to have fun the rest of the way. That's when (at about 4 miles in) I was turning a switchback and didn't see the low hanging branch. It caught me between the eyes, and progressed to the top of my head, leaving a quarter size puncture wound.
With blood coming down my face, a fellow rider (Larry) stopped to help me out. He was very kind to guide me to the nearest exit. I made it back to the start area with alot of attention. The paramedics were very helpful and cleaned the wound. Once they got the bleeding to stop, they wrapped my head so I could get home. I looked like I was a wounded soldier.
I made it home, showered and went to Urgent Care. The doctor scrubbed the wound and pulled it open to look for stick parts (by far the most painful event). After it was cleaned, she pulled out the stapler and hit me with 4. No Novocaine, just pain. Here is a camera phone photo of the results.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Floating On Air
I put some new tires on my ride and have been very happy with the benefits (better control, more squish). I decided to go with the Small Block 8s. The reason was simple; price. I tried to race last night, but didn't leave work early enough. Ended up doing a 25 mile ride to Theo, but the trails were closed. Bummer, strike two. Hopefully can get out on some dirt this weekend, or maybe race Afton.
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