tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365549382009-11-08T21:25:11.443-08:00Check out our antics at the races!!! Or if you're having trubble sleeping...ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-92140215363428833672009-06-28T22:09:00.000-07:002009-06-28T22:16:16.720-07:00

My report:The course. Much different than the BikeMonkey race. You could definately feel the extra 400' of climbing per lap, and the new rocky section at the beginning was sketchy for a 24 hour race (in a good way, but had many people walking). The second fireroad climb (different and longer than the march event) was a death march every lap, and more rolling singletrack before the run into to the

McWaltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615451879408440413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-47649701710270428882009-06-18T21:59:00.000-07:002009-06-28T22:01:12.642-07:00

Another great race this weekend. This I think is my 4th time at Skyline, but the course was changed a little. Instead of the long fire road, up to the rocky steep climb, we did a short fire road burn and took a little turn in to about a mile of singe track climbing. Everyone was concerned about the Sea Otter style conga line, but I didn't hear any moaning and groaning after the race, so it

McWaltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615451879408440413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-6404644686059248662009-06-15T21:54:00.000-07:002009-06-28T21:56:54.143-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised to drive up and park next to Kyle, Jeni, and Justin Morgan. Kyle is always saying he races expert, and I always call him a liar, since he rarely races. Anyway, after some dorking around, lubing chains, etc, Allan and Mike Urbina rolled up. The parking lot soon got quiet as they realized the majority of the heavy hitters from Team Wrong Way had showed up. Okay, maybe

McWaltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615451879408440413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-72075425121227626242009-05-31T22:44:00.000-07:002009-05-31T22:50:44.081-07:00

While Rafael, Matt, and Allan were sweating it out at Lake Sonoma, I was representing at CCCX.The race was at Fort Ord but the course was completely different this time. Instead of going left at the end of the long start straight, we went to the right, onto some trails that were not used the last time. I talked to Jim, the series leader in our group, as we were warming up and he said the course

McWaltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615451879408440413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-10304446309151808242009-05-31T22:37:00.000-07:002009-06-28T21:47:46.403-07:00

A couple months back, I was debating on whether or not to do 2 or 3 laps, not knowing the elevation profile of the race. Then the axed the 3 lap option, and I was thinking, "I should just challenge myself and do 2 laps." Reality set in, and I didn't get a chance to ride enough and decided 6000 ft and 33 miles would be plenty. Saturday morning I picked up my friend Antonio and we hit the road.

McWaltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615451879408440413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-55409997539943300702009-05-31T22:25:00.000-07:002009-06-02T23:41:21.423-07:00

Sea Otter ClassicCat 2 Single Speed2nd place1:26 The race started late 8:05 instead of 07:35 more time for the fog to clear outThe race started slow and easy, we started spinning like we do and off around the trackI said hey to Mark D, and I made a bee line to the front has people start to spread out as we round the corner on the track, I notice a spinning like mad racer around a 100 yards out

McWaltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615451879408440413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-49984927739621697412009-05-31T21:37:00.000-07:002009-05-31T21:40:49.551-07:00

Man, I'm sore! So I've been riding pretty sporadically lately, and never know what to expect until I actually start turning the pedals over. But, overall, I've been feeling better than expected, and set what I felt was a lofty goal of breaking the 1:50 mark this year. The NVDC always is a special race for me, since it was my first ever back in 2005 where I finished with a time of 2:13:38. In

McWaltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615451879408440413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-52155597666562888072009-04-09T22:10:00.000-07:002009-05-09T23:34:09.124-07:00

Holy crap what a day! Perfect weather, trail conditions were great, lots of cool people having a good time, and a nice Team Wrong Way showing (19 total racers in all). First the good stuff - two podiums against some tough competition!!!1st Place - 2 person Female team - Girl Power - Jeni Brookes and Jessica de Wit 3rd Place - 3 person Male team - Two Fast Guys and a Limey - Kyle Brookes, Allan

McWaltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615451879408440413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-29533858134679626282009-03-23T17:58:00.000-07:002009-03-23T20:58:33.191-07:00

Guys I raced the klunker at Toro with the new wheels Jeff built for me using Sturmy Archer drum brakes. I killed it! I was on mark to a podium run on the klunker, the bike working great, brakes making a huge difference from the coaster brake race of 2 weeks prior. I was still able to out pace the brakes, getting them to fade often, but the control was so much better. And even through I broke

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-81972396052205845882009-03-16T20:51:00.000-07:002009-03-23T20:58:58.592-07:00

Nice TWW showing with myself, Jeff, Rich, Mike, and Matt.The course seemed to have an extra climb or two compared to the other Ord races, but the course was still very fast with a lot of downhill pedaling. I stayed with the lead group for the first lap despite one traffic bog/dismount on a little step-up thing. On the second lap, they were still in my sights, but they slowly pulled away. I was

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-760742524619236362009-03-03T20:55:00.000-08:002009-03-23T20:58:14.260-07:00

My morning started out bright and early with a trip on BART to Berkeley to meet up with Blake Von Knopka and Morgan Fletcher. We ended up waiting awhile for an 18 year old Berkeley freshman, and glad we did. The kid had no other means to get to the race, and he appears to be a stud. So its good we were able to get him out there. Anyway, we hit the road around 8 or so and were in Occidental by

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-53286735051258449782009-03-02T20:54:00.000-08:002009-03-23T20:59:28.800-07:00

Its been quite some time since I have raced a downhill but lastweekend I figured what the hell and headed down to the CCCX DH racewith Rich Davis.We went down Saturday for some much needed practice. The course was agood mix. The top section was super fast rollers which went straightinto a section of tight switch backs, the first of which had thebetter of me all weekend. On the exit from the

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-53683291505287695302009-02-15T20:57:00.000-08:002009-03-23T20:57:41.257-07:00

As I was driving to Fort Ord, the weather was surprisingly clear.There was strong overnight rain and winds, and my strategy (and onlyhope) for this race: pray for lots of rain, and that no one elseshows up. Well, only 7 in my group showed up for the start (Cat2/Sport – 19-34), and Keith announces that medals only go 3 deep dueto small field (oh well).A light rain began to come down right before

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-90267585412487613172009-01-26T21:03:00.000-08:002009-03-23T21:04:26.964-07:00

I went down to Aptos High yesterday and raced (if you want to call it that) the last race of the Peak Season CX series. My previous race, #1 of the series at Harbor High, was the one where I had my Brian Lopes spotting and really-lame-fan conversation. I actually felt pretty good at that previous race, and faired reasonably well, getting in the top-half at least with 10/24. It wasn't in the

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-16389149947710906772009-01-26T21:02:00.000-08:002009-03-23T21:03:20.993-07:00

Last of the road race reports (until track fights in the fall?) andSeries SummarySunday was the 12th and final race for the San Jose Bike Club wintertraining series. Thanks to the track fights last fall, I decided todabble in more road racing. The series is made up of a prologue(short time trial), 3 Road Races, 2 Crits, 2 Individual TT, 2 TeamTTs, a hill climb race, and a points race. As I

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-70083686148866012032009-01-04T10:12:00.000-08:002009-01-06T10:13:01.399-08:00

First, as the new member, apologies for the skinny-tire, spandex reports. I promise this is not a usually thing for me, and I enjoy riding the dirt more than pavement. I wasn't planning to do this report, but the race was more interesting than expected, and maybe I need to think twice about this and stick to the dirt.I entered the inexperienced Cat 5s (less than 5 starts) at the Fremont Early

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-13736700858858748912008-12-22T09:46:00.000-08:002009-01-06T09:47:42.552-08:00

ummm.. not so great.So, I grabbed the mtb, switched from 2.55 tires to 2.0, and decided to give this thing a try, not knowing what to expect.The course is a bunch of twisty turns arounda couple of different horse fields, stables, etc. A barrier section close to the start, and a set close to the finish, and a nice run up the stairs. Much of the course was very soft due to the rains, but there were

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-67915758736161146022008-12-21T09:35:00.000-08:002009-01-06T09:37:49.809-08:00

Fun course (Harbor High School in SC), and pretty good weather (rain held out). Really well organized grass roots event, and the free hot dogs at the end was a bonus :-) My race went pretty well except for the one water hand off that Shaney attempted with me near the beginning of my last lap - I clipped a PVC pole right afterward and went down quicker than you can say "huh?" Bummer was that I

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-13800223508380512792008-12-11T09:42:00.000-08:002009-01-06T09:45:21.535-08:00

Hello biking folks,As a few of you guys and gals know, there is a event called GluehweinRace (mulled wine race) in my hometown every year. I couldn't join lastyear so I really wanted to compete this year.For the ones who don't know what I'm talking about: It's a race over 10laps of short distance and without major technical difficulty. Afterevery lap you have to drink one cup of mulled wine,

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-42140894346676279882008-12-01T17:49:00.000-08:002008-12-01T17:50:38.421-08:00

Wow - REALLY awesome weather in SF yesterday, combined with a really fun CX course in the middle of Golden Gate Park, to make one really nice way to spend Sunday morning. Shaney and the boys joined me and cheered me on. The course was, as I had heard, a fair amount of single track - which was really niiiiiice. Two spots with barriers on uphill slopes made for forced run-ups, but they were

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-44774731943009075082008-12-01T17:45:00.000-08:002008-12-01T17:53:48.185-08:00

Gin looked at the CCCX CX results from last Sunday and saw my littlesandbagmanship. I've been wanting to check out the Prunedale venue(Manzanita Park) for a couple of years now, but Riley had a Soccertournament game at 11am. My compromise was to race Mens C's at 9am(at least it's all ages, so includes some guys close to half myage). I started mid-pack and ended up picking off most of the fieldby

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-3287478843735898182008-11-17T07:32:00.000-08:002008-11-17T07:54:25.564-08:00

Bob Roll is one of my favorite Tour day France (France not Frahnce) announcers. Some of the expressions he uses are perfect descriptions of how a cyclist feels. And most of us being cyclists, we can relate. Well, Bobke's expression for me in today's race would've been, "He went deep into the pain cave... and barely made it back out." That was a perfect description of today's race. And this

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-12560242975491980452008-11-08T23:51:00.001-08:002008-11-09T17:18:25.745-08:00

Dear Training Diary,I thought I would take this time to log in my pre-race dinner from the night before to help me better identify on how to improve my results. Here is was my menu:2/3 of the fried calamari appetizer1 full slab of baby back ribs3/4 of the baked sweet potato smothered with butter, brown sugar, and chives3/4 of the corn bread muffin with just a little butter3 pieces of roasted

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-32485900332552251882008-11-05T08:21:00.000-08:002008-11-05T08:27:21.928-08:00

Well the weather leading up to the race was quite nasty to say the least. Lots of rain the two days before the big race. I packed tons of clothing, two towels, a tarp, a pump sprayer full of water to hose me off with, and plastic bags to put the muddy clothes in. I was ready.As it turns out, didn't need any of that extra stuff - the weather conditions turned to high 60's and blue skies, and

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36554938.post-1273386779683980122008-10-27T21:52:00.000-07:002008-10-27T21:56:08.950-07:00

I think this was stop #2 on the NCNCA cross cup circuit. So there was for sure going to be some competition at this race. And of course I had the worst week of training up to the race - felt sick, worked out on Tuesday and nearly died, so nothing else up to race day. Nursing some sort of virus that had morphed into swollen glands and the dreaded cold sore. Not enough sleep either (although

ginmtbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484995042653628899noreply@blogger.com0