2012 TBF 50 Mile MTB Race -- 7th Place DFL

Saturday, October 21st @ Granite Bay Trail System (Folsom Lake).
Niner One 9 w/32:20 gearing, Racing Ralph 2.25's
Single Speed Division, 7th place

Four Laps (1:06:54

...1:10:20...

1:13:35

...1:11:34

) for a total of 4:42:24

I was fat and out of shape for this event (and not riding much at all), but itchin' to race.  My goal: finish!  Really enjoyed the course. Did not cramp until lap 3 then fought them off the rest of the event.  Thought I did better than 7th (out of 7...my first ever DFL) and if I raced in the 40+?  Would have been 23 out of 26.  Part of this is due to the quality of riders here in NorCal, but most of this is due to me being really out of shape. 10 minutes faster (easily done when in condition) and I would have been 4th in SS.  So, my goal is to compete in the same race next year and see if I can put my results where my mouth is. :) Long Write-up

2012 Burn 24 -- 2nd Place

Saturday & Sunday, May 26th & 27th @ Dark Mountain Trails, Wilkesboro, NC
Niner One 9, 32:20 gearing, w/Schwalbe Racing Ralphs 2.25.
Due Division with Jeff Dennison (last years, 40+ solo winner).
I pulled 13 laps, Jeff pulled 14.
Jeff and I came in 1-2 in last years 40+ solo race.  Unfortunately, Duo is 'Open', (no age categories) but we did well against some young guys and came in 2nd.  I pulled the fastest and slowest laps and Jeff pulled one more lap than I did.  Getting on the podium again in such a large event was an amazing way to end my racing in NC.  Thanks Jeff for being a great teammate.

Long Write-Up

2012 Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure Race (PMBAR) -- Finished!

May 5th, @ Pisgah National Forest, Brevard, NC.
Niner One 9 with RaRa's at 23psi.
32:21 gear ratio.
Officially we came in 67th out of 75.  This was actually a victory as the goal is to get 4-5 checkpoints and get back to the start ASAP.  All you want is a qualifying finish, no injuries, No DNF and no DFL.  Mission Accomplished.  There were so many mishaps, misdirections and mistakes (redundant, I know, but fitting for this event)...earning a qualifying finish was a huge victory.  Glad that Jay and I could get this one in after my injury knocked us out last year.  Of course Jay almost killed us on the way to the event, but that is a story for the long version.  Great tough event; glad it is over. Thanks Jay for being a great PMBAR partner the last three years.

2012 Meltdown at Harris Lake, 6 Hour Race -- 5th

Saturday, April 14th, 2012 @ Harris Lake County Park
Niner One 9 w/32:20 gearing and Maxxis Ikons at 23 psi.
Single-speed division, 5th place. Rode 9 laps for ~60 miles in 5:36.
Felt good for what is likely my last local TORC series ride.  I rode about as hard as I dared.  Legs were burnt after this race and for some reason my arse was sore (using the same type seat as usual?). Thinking that it might have had something to do with too much sitting on a very bumpy (rooty) course.  Anyway, I am very happy with my effort (would have been 2nd in the 40+ division) and hope these events make me stronger for upcoming events like PMBAR and Burn24 (both in May).
Read the long write-up here.

2012 Curse of the Crab 6 Hour Race -- 3rd

Saturday, March 10th, 2012 at Lake Crabtree County Park.
Niner One 9 w/32:20 gearing and Maxxis Ikons at 23 psi.
Single-Speed Division, 3rd place. 9 laps & ~60.5 miles in 5:42 (~10.6mph)
Sick (puking) a few days before the race, stomach not great, energy not great, but otherwise I felt good.  Actually felt better ~4 laps in, after I was way behind.  Good part about racing from behind is that you pass, rather than being passed. :)   Good Times!
If bored, read the long write up here.

2012 Bushwhack MTB Race -- 25th

Sunday, February 12th at Crabtree and Umstead parks.
First race on the Niner One9. 33:19 gearing, Maxxis Ikon 2.2's.
No divisions in this race (all 'Open'), so SS is at a slight disadvantage, but not much (25th out of 94 racers).
Temps were in the 20's at the start.  I felt good, and rode hard, (just like the JMM) but with a better result.  Maybe it was the cold, maybe it was knowing the course well (and a shorter course), but I had a solid race and finished ahead of guys that beat me at the JMM.  Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come. :)  Read more here.

2012 January Mountain Bike Marathon --6th (DFL)

January 29th, 2012 at Governors Creek Trail, Sanford, NC.
Single Speed division.Gearing was 42:19. Rode ~42 miles at 3:24:49.  6th in SS also DFL SS.  62nd overall out of ~106 riders.
Misfit Dissent w/Maxxis Ikons (tubless).
Felt good, rode hard.  Just did not have a good result.  Got beat by guys I usually am ahead of.  Oh well, it is to be expected as I have not been riding as much due to the wife working and the house being for sale.  Looks like I need to work a bit harder and maybe back off the fast food, ribs, beer and buffets.  Yeah, right!