Lumberjack 100 entry

I have a lumberjack 100 entry for sale.  

Brian@precisionmtb.com

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Mud, Sweat & Beers: Cinco De Mayo Edition

I had a few general ideas of the terrain going into this race but wasn't really certain what to expect. Yeah, it starts and ends at a ski hill so it should have been obvious to me some climbing was involved. I knew we'd race across some of the Vasa Pathway, a little Iceman terrain, and some high speed two-track too. None of this really sunk in until the morning of the event when I walked across the parking lot and found myself at the ski lodge overlooking the start/ finish line and the tents that were setup down below.

It was 8:50am and my always shorter than intentional pre-race warm-up ride was complete and I sat in staging listening to the announcer make the cattle calls for the rider waves. I found myself suddenly realizing that my current position was in the first wave of racers 3 rows back of the starting line surrounded by a respectable crew that all removed their helmets for the national anthem. My first experience being led out by 4-stroke dirt bikes was pretty cool to say the least; I could still hear them 4-5 miles into the race which was pretty amazing given the first climb is appropriately named Horsepower Hill. No doubt this hill seperated the 35 riders in my group and every wave thereafter. No time for recovery as we hit the pavement through a subdivision and began drafting. Back into the woods and there were already a few groups of riders split up and I hung off the back of two teammates working together. It wasn't long before I found myself on familiar ground riding the Vasa Pathway, in and out of marked trail and barely ridden singletrack, most of which I had explored before. These two would make some time on the flats and rollers while I would play catch-up on the climbs. We eventually collected another rider that was in front of us. I decided to do a bit of work and move toward the front of the group and set pace. Seems I surged too quickly and gapped them going into another section of singletrack and never looked back.


Within a couple miles I could catch glimpses of the next group in front of me. It very likely took me a couple more miles to catch them and it worked to my benefit when the group collectively blew a turn and one rider fell back. I sat back five or so bike lengths and watched as these two worked with and against each other. I didn't know it at the time but they were in the 19-29 age group. They finally realized I was lurking and it wasn't long before they seemed to get a bit nervous and change their strategy, so they dropped in line behind me. I tried to wave them by after some time but neither one wanted to be in front. As we came through the back of Timber Ridge campground off they went as my legs felt spent. Not wanting to waste all the effort I had put in I made some time back as we headed through Vasa again. Only a couple race miles were left and as we moved into the subdivision on our return to Mt. Holiday I made a little time back through the sweeping blacktop corners as the neighbors watched on sipping their cocktails and blaring mariachi music. Going down horsepower hill was a better experience but this is also where two-way race traffic exists for a couple hundred yards. I got stuck behind someone that had likely been in the 10-mile race going up a short sandy incline that robbed all my momentum and put a gap between me and the other two guys I was racing with that I never closed. With a really cool slalom gate arranged down the ski hill it was a quick skim across the mud put for the hecklers lined across the fence at the finish. I got 5th place in Expert 30-39 (first down state guy in my class) and my 1:26.07 time was good for somewhere around 15th overall. Great race and atmosphere. I'd like to thank my wife/ pit crew and wish her a happy 6th anniversary. Could have done without the rain but at least it held off until the racing was over as we celebrated with some TC friends after the race.

"Where's Wheeler?" asked Chrissy shortly after I finished. I spent countless hours at the beer tent, standing in line at each tap strewn across the area, frequently visiting Scotties Potties and texting a few people to get his number. I never located him, not even through my pint glass which I found the bottom of a few times. Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Stan's ZTR Crest Review

I want to start by saying that I could not be happier with my new Stan's wheels.  I was excited to pick them up so I could see how the gold Hope hubs and gold nipples were going to look.  Jimmie Colflesh built a solid set of wheels for me.  I got them and couldn't wait to slap on a set of rotors and some Stan's Sealant so I could see how they rolled. 

I was imediately impressed with how easy my tires inflated with Stan's rims.  I struggled in the past with inflating my Fast Track tires on my DT hoops.  No more white nuckles with the Stan's.  Both tires inflated instantly and sealed without leaks. 

Yankee Springs would be my first ride on these.  I can't believe what a difference a good set of wheels makes.  They feel solid underneath me as I roll over tree roots and navigate rocky sections.  My bike is noticeably lighter and the wheels spin up quicker than the stock DT set.  Overall I am so happy with the Stan's hoops that I hate to take them off!! 

Brandon

Yankee TT 2012

Yankee TT is the first race of the MMBA Championship Point Series.  This year the registration was caped at 700.  I raced Sport 35-39 which had 40 entries.  This was large field compared to other CPS events.  Since the race is about 2.5 hours from home I decided to stay in Saugatuck, Mi.  Lisa and I were able to get a last minute room at a B&B.   The drive to Yankee Springs was only 45 minutes and I was able to get a good breakfast and great night sleep.  We got to Yankee about and hour before my start time so I could get ready with my 2012 Team Kit. 

My race began at 12:40 and I was off to a decent start.  I settled into a decent pace and seemed to have plenty of energy toward the end of the lap.  My goal was to finish with a better time than 2010 but I did not have an expectation in terms of a finishing position.  I wanted to use the race to gage my fitness and see where everyone else was.  The field was fast this year since the March weather allowed people to get out and ride early.  My finish was 23/40 with a time of 57:34.  I'm happy with the fact that my time was almost 4 minutes faster than 2012.

Brandon

Pontiac Lake TT 4/29/2012

Roger, Brandon and I raced the Pontiac TT today. Very dry and warm conditions which is unlike past years. We all rode well and had a good time. Congrat's to Roger on his 3rd place finish. Brandon put in a solid ride and I managed to limit self-inflicted damage by only making contact with one tree. Enjoyed a few laughs with Dave and John after they finished their loop on the tandom. Paynes Ti single speed is pretty trick. Overall a nice day to pedal a bike.

2012 Team Kit

Here is our 2012 team kit from Louis Garneau. A big thanks to all of our sponsors. Without their help none of this would be possible.

Grampian Challenge 10/1/11

I love riding my bike. I particularly enjoy riding my singlespeed mountain bike on trails, dirt roads, rail trails and paved roads. The Grampian Challenge was an inaugural event that I read about earlier this year. It billed itself as offering the chance to race on all the terrain listed above. This made it particularly attractive to me.

When I looked at the course itself, I realized it covered one of my favorite running routes in southeast Michigan. Indian Lake Road and Drahner Road offer some of the best hills in the area. This spring I ran a couple 20 milers here preparing for my marathon in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

But the weather was looking bad. Actually it was a full on horror show. Rain, wind, cold. I went to bed Friday and decided I would make a game day decision Saturday morning. When I awoke it wasn't raining so I decided I would go. Wind was forecast to be between 20-30 mph. Hills and a strong headwind when heading north. This was gonna be tough.

When I arrived at Addison Oaks registration went well. A pint glass was given to each participant with "Grampian Challenge" stamped on it. Nice touch. At 10:01 AM they lined us up and sent us out. And so it began. Some double track at Addison Oaks. Mud was there but not horrible. Next up Drahner Road and a big climb up. Legs still being fresh I powered up it easily. We made our way over to some dirt trails I have never ridden before. A bit more mud, I hit a couple corners a bit too hard and had to get on the brakes quickly.

Eventually we made our way out and onto Indian Lake Road. More rolling hills. And then we made a right hand turn onto a road that linked back over to Drahner. This was a long grinding hill that really put a hurt on me. My legs were feeling it and I was only halfway there. By the time we got to the top I was in need of a breather and welcomed the downhill section that followed. From here the course was a bit of a blur. Rolling hills, more climbing, and then a respite on the Polly Ann rail trail. Then some soupy dirt roads with more hills. At one point I thought I had a flat front tire and actually brought my front wheel up and was relived when it hit the dirt with no give. The mud was that bad.

Towards the end we hit a "ski hill" that I had heard some people talk about before the race. I had no idea what they were talking about as there is no ski-worthy hills in this region. While the hill was worthless for skiing, it was something to behold when your legs are fried and your pushing 61 gear inches on a singlespeed. I rode up as far as I could only to dismount and start pushing. And pushing. Once we hit the top, the ride down was sweet. The next thing I remember was finding myself back on Drahner Road and climbing up another long, grinding hill. My legs were protesting, my breathing labored but I was picking off some riders which made me feel a bit better. Grind - grind and finally the top. Back down and on our way to Addison Oaks. They finished the race on a long section of singletrack there and it was good fun. Except that my legs were gassed. And I had tapped my water bottle. And I was STARVING but had on winter gloves so I could not manage to eat at all. Still I managed to reel in an pass a couple people on cross bikes. The finish line as a welcome site.

When I crossed it I was greeted by JimmieC who was changed into clean clothes, smiling, and eating a banana. I was coated in mud, hungry, thirsty and grateful to be done. I was tempted to grab the half eaten banana from Jimmie's hand. That was tough, way tougher than I thought it would be. I think this race has great potential and really enjoyed it. If you are looking for a new race to try next year, give this one some consideration. Being so close to home makes it a nice bonus for me.

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