This past week was pretty crazy with all the fires and everything.  Our training volume was non-existant due to air quality concerns.  We figured that we were due for some shenanigans.  A costume Halloween Ride was just what the doctor ordered.

Allison and I went as the Super Manns and had a total blast.  This is what riding bikes is all about!!!

Yesterday I led a group of 17 riders (not counting Dave Turner who joined us for the descent) on a full Tour de Noble.  This ride never fails to deliver.  35+ miles and over 4500ft of ascent/descent.  I have ridden this route before on my Socom, but decided that being DFL was not so good since keeping all the riders on the right trails is tough from that position.  Turns out, it was probably a good thing I wasn't on the Socom.  I was having a hell of a time climbing some of the steeper pitches on the Niner with a 32T chainring.  It *must* have been all that damage to my leg and back last weekend.  Yeah thats it!

We had a great group and finished the ride in around 8 hrs.  There was no significant carnage and minimal mechanicals.  One of the cool things about this ride was the range of riders.  We had Pro level DH riders, Expert level XC racers, and Sport riders as well as weekend warriors.  Afterward, most of the group descended on a mexican food joint in Alpine for good grub and some fun discussion.

Post crash:

I was stiffazzhell this morning, so we were a little late leaving the house.  Once I started riding though I loosened up and forgot about the pain (for the most part).  Really big hits gave some pain in the lower back region, but it felt good to ride!

Demo'd a Brodie Derelict and I think it would make a great BMX track basher slash MTX race bike.  Also rode a Nicolai MTX bike and that thing was fast, but I wasn't into the HT thing especially with the soreness from yesterday.

We had a blast doing DH runs and then did a little friendly racing on the MTX track untill my buddy took a hard digger on one of the berms.  I swear I didn't take him out!  :)  There were a ton of STR riders out there today and we had a blast.  Too much fun.

Next weekend we should have about 15 people on a Tour de Noble ride.  This time I am not climbing 4500ft on my DH bike.  As we start to do more training rides for Vision Quest, we will unfortunately have to taper off on the fun rides.  Need to make the most of them while we can!

Today was a great day out at Fontana!  It rained last night and the dirt was perfect today.  We brought out the XC and DH bikes.  We hooked up with a friend and did a nice quick lap of the XC course and then suited up for some DH riding.

On the first run I made a big mistake coming down through the rocks on the Expert/Pro course and stacked it up big time.  After wadding it in the rocks I was forced to take it easy for the rest of the day.  I have contusions on both legs, sore ribs, and a contusion on my right hip/lower back.  My armor did it's job though, there were HUGE gouges in the plastic parts.  It was a pretty hard crash. 

Crash:  I rolled down a steep rock section, hit a big rock that moved and threw me off line, front tire went into a rut and the next thing I knew I was riding a nose wheelie off a 4' roller.  Somewhere near the top of the roller my front tire went into another rut and I got pitched.  All this happened to be right in front a Pro DH rider I know, Cody Warren, he wasn't impressed!  :)

After a few more DH runs we did a few runs of the MTX track.  It was very fun, even on my DH rig.  Might have to start racing MTX in the Winter Series at Fontana!  Not another bike!!!!!  :)

I am hoping to be able to ride tomorrow.  We are headed back out there and intend to ride some demo bikes.  We plan to meet up with Nancy and Roger and a few other friends for some fun riding and some chit talking.  Allison really wants to ride a Sunday.  I just hope to be able to ride...

I had a great time at the Incycle/SC Velo XC race at Bonelli.  The course was pretty good.  It would have been nice to have more single track, and maybe some more technical stuff.  Overall I though the course was well thought out.

The day started out kind of on the wrong foot.  I forgot the cooler with our race and post race beverages at home.  Allison was not happy with me.  I scrambled and got three bottles rounded up for her, and borrowed a Camelbak for myself since I couldn't find any more bottles.  We warmed up and went to the start line.

First lap was a cluster.  They didn't stage the start so ALL sport racers started together.  Bad idea.  The first bottleneck people started pushing and elbowing, then some guy fell on me.  I managed to not fall over, but was definitely held up as the fallen rider had his arm through my front spokes.  After that incident I decided to go hard and see if I could distance myself from the slower and less skilled.  I turned a 28min lap, but would pay later.

Second lap I decided to cut the pace as I didn't think I could hold the wicked pace of the first lap.  I hit some Hammer Gel and kept my head down.  Passed a few people, but got passed by at least two people.  30 minute lap (not bad) and in 7th place.

Third lap the heat set in.  I started overheating on the climbs.  I was running out of gas fast so I slammed a bunch of Gel.  I was trying to stay hydrated, but the Camelbak I was using was getting low and not going to last the race.  Then it happened, I stood to hammer up a short hill and my quads felt like they were going to cramp.  OH NO!  I sat back down and tried to keep my rythm.  I bombed down the descents as usual and caught a rider that had passed on the last climb.  Then on the sustained fire-road climb, perfect climb for me and my big motor, my calves cramped.  OUCH!!!  I tried to keep my pace but fell off.  31 minutes and lost 1 place down to 8th.

Overall my race was good.  I went hard.  I will keep improving and hope to make a Sport class podium in XC next year.