The 12 hour at Wagon Train was a blast. I can't wait to do it again next year. We need two of these a year. One in the Spring and one in the fall or something like that. Anyway I went out and raced the solo division with about 38 other riders plus about 10 teams. So lots of riders on the 
trail. Jackie and the kids even made it out for the start of the race. It was nice to hear them cheering for dad at the start. They even got to meet some new people. Fellow rider Will Wolf's fam. Will is the guy I've been trying to keep up with in the 3 hour marathons in the Psycowpath series. I'm not having much luck with that. Will did well during the 12 hour he got 22 laps in.
trail. Jackie and the kids even made it out for the start of the race. It was nice to hear them cheering for dad at the start. They even got to meet some new people. Fellow rider Will Wolf's fam. Will is the guy I've been trying to keep up with in the 3 hour marathons in the Psycowpath series. I'm not having much luck with that. Will did well during the 12 hour he got 22 laps in.(pic from Heather Wolff/start of the 12 hour)
Anyway, at the start my goal was to get as many laps as I could before dark. Then sit in and keep pedaling all night long. Well I ended up with 6 laps before dark. If I would of planned right with my water and food I think I could have gotten 7 in. I decided instead of dragging everything to the start finish line I'd keep my stuff in my car figuring I have 12 hours to ride so taking a minute or two to ride to my car wouldn't hurt anything. So as I'm downing water like crazy I had to go get more after 4 laps. Then I decided since I was at the car I would eat a sandwich and a banana before going back out. Again if I would have just grabbed an extra bottle and some energy bars I could have save some time. After the next two laps I was back at the car setting up my lights. For the rest of the night that was my routine. Go out for one laps and stop for a few seconds to down water and a gel and back off I went. Then after two is was back at the car for a sandwich(peanut butter and honey) or banana and filling up bottles of water. Next year I need to find more bottles to use also.
Now the trail first of all was in excellent condition. After all the rain in the begging of the week I thought there was no way this race would go on. If it did it was going to be a messy one. To my surprise it was almost 100% dry. I can only think of one spot that really got you muddy. And as the night went on the trail got better and better.
(pic from Heather Wolff/lap 1 at 12 hour)
This race was also the first time I ever used lights on trails. It was a whole new trail after dark. It was fun. I was able to barrow a set of night riders from my teammate John for this race. Two lights and batteries. I only used one light so I could have a backup battery. The batteries only lasted about 3 hours on the mid range setting. I hooked up my little light on my bars just for a little bit more light. It helped a little, but later it was all I had for about 1/2 of the trail. About lap 12 I went out on the trail thinking I need to replace this battery after this lap. Well I was about halfway through the trail when the light went from mid to low range. I knew i was in trouble so I kicked it up a gear and tried to do as much and I could before it went out. To late, the light went out with about a 1/4 of the trail left to go. Luckily I had my other light but its a small little light that's used more for town at night so people see you coming. It was better than nothing. So the last 1/4 of the trail took me forever to get through. Finally I was able to follow someone out and back to the car to replace my battery. Note to self again. When they say 3 hours of light they mean it. So after the new battery I went out for two more laps and decided to take a
break for about an hour. It was about 2:30 at this time. I was by myself most of the night and that is not good. I wanted to get out for one more lap to make it 15 for the night. Well before falling asleep I went out and did one more lap. I tried to find someone to hang with but either they were sleeping or gone. It was about 4 at this time and my bed at home was starting to sound good at this time. So I loaded up and told the guys I'm done. I asked how many I did and he said 16. I think I courted wrong around lap 9. Anyway at that time I was happy with that until I got home and the sun started to come up. I really wanted to ride all night and I should have stayed and rode two more laps. the problem was I was alone to much after 2:30 so it was easy for me to call it. Oh well another lesson learned.
break for about an hour. It was about 2:30 at this time. I was by myself most of the night and that is not good. I wanted to get out for one more lap to make it 15 for the night. Well before falling asleep I went out and did one more lap. I tried to find someone to hang with but either they were sleeping or gone. It was about 4 at this time and my bed at home was starting to sound good at this time. So I loaded up and told the guys I'm done. I asked how many I did and he said 16. I think I courted wrong around lap 9. Anyway at that time I was happy with that until I got home and the sun started to come up. I really wanted to ride all night and I should have stayed and rode two more laps. the problem was I was alone to much after 2:30 so it was easy for me to call it. Oh well another lesson learned. (pic from Heather Wolff)
In the end I had a bast. riding at night is fun as long as you have a good set of lights. Another item I can add to the list. Thanks again to John for letting me use his lights, Brandon for his pump and letting me try out some stinger bars that I will be using now, and to the guys at the shop for getting my taco tire ready from my crash at Swanson and for letting me try out some of the stinger chews. I think I'm now a full 100% stinger guy. The stuff works well and taste great too. Finally to my Fam for letting me do this crazy stuff and coming out to watch. Its always fun to see them out at the races.
Crit
This last weekend was my first real Crit race. I did a training one about over a month ago. Anyway since I don't have a road bike Brandon let me use his for this race. We had 6 guys from Flatwater in cat 5 so the odds were good for a podium spot. As we took off I had my normal problem it seems. Getting clipped in. So from front to back I went right off the start. Now it was all about dodging traffic and not getting taken out. I came close once. A rider came across the front of me hard and into the curb he went. I felt ok for the race. I should of tried going harder or something. I need to stop saving it and just go and see what happens. I ended up 9th out of 20 some riders. Flatwater finished with Lee in first, Nick 4th, Jason and Rick 7th and 8th and Myself and Jesse 9th and 10th. Lee and I crossed the line at the same time. Except I was a lap behind.
(pic from Brandon Harpster/final lap with Jon)
Now this was a two day event with races on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was behind the Capital on a flat course and Sunday was at Pioneers Park with hills. I really don't want to talk about Sunday. The whole morning was rush, rush, rush, and then to the starting line I went. No pre ride or anything. Since our team is setting up the race we have to get everything ready before he cat 5 race goes off. Now I didn't get far with the race. I crashed hard right off the start and I was done. If I'm going to keep doing these races i need to get my own bike and not worry about using someone elses. thanks again Brandon for letting me use your bike and I'll pay for the torn tape and anything else that was wrong with it. the more I think about it the more frustrated I get. I saw the video on the crash today which didn't help things. So that's two crashes to the year. Not a good start for the first half of the season. Next up is Ponca and the state games. I was going to try a race in Colorado but now I might just ride trails instead of worrying about racing. With the elevation and everything else to worry about maybe I'll wait and do another time. Or try a something like a 50 mile marathon race instead of a quick XC. Will see. Well I might as well keep adding to this post.
Training at Area 7 and Wagon Train
This last week I finally got some good riding in. May has been a crappy month it seems. The riding I've been doing was week and I was only in the gym twice the whole month. I didn't really 
notice it during the crit race but last Thursday I could tell it during our training series race at area 7. I just felt like I lost a lot of strength specially in the climbs. Something I hope will get better before Ponca. But it was nice to go out at a race pace to get some good training in. I didn't do well I finished second to last and I know I can do better then what I did. the last lap I felt better and almost got Jason at the end and then another usual problem I have was cramping calves. I was out of water and no way I was going to go any harder at that point.
notice it during the crit race but last Thursday I could tell it during our training series race at area 7. I just felt like I lost a lot of strength specially in the climbs. Something I hope will get better before Ponca. But it was nice to go out at a race pace to get some good training in. I didn't do well I finished second to last and I know I can do better then what I did. the last lap I felt better and almost got Jason at the end and then another usual problem I have was cramping calves. I was out of water and no way I was going to go any harder at that point.(area 7 ride on Saturday)
Saturday and Monday was two early start rides with Brandon. We started riding area 7 around 6 and rode till about 10 on Saturday. Jason and new teammate Jesse made it out for a couple of laps later that morning. I was able to get about 5 laps in which was much needed. Rob even made it out for a couple laps so a good turnout at the trails on Saturday. Monday was Brandon and I again taking off from the shop to Wagon Train at 6. It was about 13 mile out and then we did about 14 miles of trails and then back to the shop. Its a good ride. Wagon Train doesn't have to much for climbing so its nice to have that ride home with plenty of hills to climb. The early morning rides are great. I can get about 3 plus hours of riding in and still be home by 10 and have the rest of the day to do things. Usually my house don't get moving until after 10 so its nice to get my riding out of the way early.
(rideing back from Wagon Train w/ Harp)
So now I think I'm done with this post. The fam and I are heading to Colorado for some vacation time and to visit family. Hopefully it works out for some early rides on some good trails. Hopefully ones with lots of climbing. I need the work before Ponca. The plan for that week is to do a lot of outdoor stuff. Biking, hiking, and whatever else we can find outdoors.
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