Sunday, May 25, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Bear Springs Trap
Lets just say this race was a long assed drive away. Wow. About 3.5 hours, and no we didnt even leave the state.
Also let me preface my last 2 terrible placings with the fact that I am not training. And it shows. School and work have taken over my life and if I get 3 hours of training in a week I'm doing well. So the racing for 2.5 hours pretty much has been doubling my training time. So in light of that, its no wonder I'm not doing as well as I'd like. I am however learning a crapload about how to actually ride my mtn bike (which surprise surprise is very different than my road bike).
Bear Springs is a really remote course. Its also very pretty. And has just about every type of terrain you could imagine. Rocks, exposed cliffs, single track, double track, water crossings, loose dusty areas, and patches of snow/slush/mud this year. Apparently the race promoters were on snowmobiles 2 weeks prior to the race.
The bright side to finishing last is the fact that I didnt have to push myself and put myself into uncomfortable situations where I didnt know how to handle my bike. I paced myself and figured out how to roll over all sorts of stuff. How to not whack my pedals on rocks constantly. And the best part, there was no crashing involved in this race (unlike Chain Breaker, where I made out with the dust several times).
The water was running really high in the areas near the streams. So high in fact that the trails were underwater in those areas. The organizers had put in a log bridge in one spot, and in others put in a bunch of log rounds for stepping on (so we didnt damage the delicate stream bank environment which is cool). The rounds were a little floaty so it was a bit hairy to walk across them. Also there was some that had floated away in the current, so we had to forge the creek. Not being a tall person, the water was mid shin on me and then sinking into the mud it was knee deep. The water was cold, but it was a hot race so it was kind of nice. Until the mud dried in my cleats around the pedals and I had a couple close calls because I had a hard time unclipping. The biggest frustration for me of the day was missing a small course marking and going off course, up a large assed climb for 15 minutes. I wouldnt have been so far off time had I not done that. Oh well.
Pretty much everything I do on my mtn bike is brand spanking new to me (still have been riding mtn bike for less than a year). It does make life exciting and interesting. And occasionally there are a few white knuckle moments (ok more than occasionally).
The most flattering shot of me...
Also let me preface my last 2 terrible placings with the fact that I am not training. And it shows. School and work have taken over my life and if I get 3 hours of training in a week I'm doing well. So the racing for 2.5 hours pretty much has been doubling my training time. So in light of that, its no wonder I'm not doing as well as I'd like. I am however learning a crapload about how to actually ride my mtn bike (which surprise surprise is very different than my road bike).
Bear Springs is a really remote course. Its also very pretty. And has just about every type of terrain you could imagine. Rocks, exposed cliffs, single track, double track, water crossings, loose dusty areas, and patches of snow/slush/mud this year. Apparently the race promoters were on snowmobiles 2 weeks prior to the race.
The bright side to finishing last is the fact that I didnt have to push myself and put myself into uncomfortable situations where I didnt know how to handle my bike. I paced myself and figured out how to roll over all sorts of stuff. How to not whack my pedals on rocks constantly. And the best part, there was no crashing involved in this race (unlike Chain Breaker, where I made out with the dust several times).
The water was running really high in the areas near the streams. So high in fact that the trails were underwater in those areas. The organizers had put in a log bridge in one spot, and in others put in a bunch of log rounds for stepping on (so we didnt damage the delicate stream bank environment which is cool). The rounds were a little floaty so it was a bit hairy to walk across them. Also there was some that had floated away in the current, so we had to forge the creek. Not being a tall person, the water was mid shin on me and then sinking into the mud it was knee deep. The water was cold, but it was a hot race so it was kind of nice. Until the mud dried in my cleats around the pedals and I had a couple close calls because I had a hard time unclipping. The biggest frustration for me of the day was missing a small course marking and going off course, up a large assed climb for 15 minutes. I wouldnt have been so far off time had I not done that. Oh well.
Pretty much everything I do on my mtn bike is brand spanking new to me (still have been riding mtn bike for less than a year). It does make life exciting and interesting. And occasionally there are a few white knuckle moments (ok more than occasionally).
The most flattering shot of me...Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Flying Genitalia
So this was a political new conference in Russia. At about 23 seconds is when this gets good.
The translations for what is said after its swatted down:
"After the security guard swatted it to the ground, Kasparov says, "I think we have to be thankful for the opposition's demonstration of the level of discourse we need to anticipate. Also, apparently most of their arguments are located beneath the belt." Someone in the audience shouts, "Finally the political power shows its face!" Kasparov quickly replies, "Well, if that's its face..." to laughter from the audience."
The original post here.
The translations for what is said after its swatted down:
"After the security guard swatted it to the ground, Kasparov says, "I think we have to be thankful for the opposition's demonstration of the level of discourse we need to anticipate. Also, apparently most of their arguments are located beneath the belt." Someone in the audience shouts, "Finally the political power shows its face!" Kasparov quickly replies, "Well, if that's its face..." to laughter from the audience."
The original post here.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Everything still smells like dust.
I think I might even have dust still in my ears (after multiple cleanings).
Last weekend was Chainbreaker in Bend. I was excited to not have to race in the mud again. But I was also nervous about racing in the dust. I have no skills (or skillz for that matter) when it comes to lose dust and dirt. And I have the bruises to prove it. Oh and they are pretty shades of green still after a week.
I finished. By far my worst finish on a the mtn bike. But I did it. Because I paid and I'm gettin my money's worth (unless there is severe injury, then its just stupidity). I also ate, which is a triumph in and of itself. As I cant manage to eat and have both my hands on the bars at the same time. And as we all know, eating is important, esp when you're riding your bike for almost 3 hours.
I crashed, and crashed and well crashed. Nothing bad or on too many rocks. My friend Jason, crashed and managed to break his helmet, it was brand new. Whoops.
On a slightly more interesting note, I think Ryan Trebon's inseam is about 5'...when he passed me his saddle and ass were about eye level with me. Granted, I'm not a tall person, but he is one lanky dude.
Last weekend was Chainbreaker in Bend. I was excited to not have to race in the mud again. But I was also nervous about racing in the dust. I have no skills (or skillz for that matter) when it comes to lose dust and dirt. And I have the bruises to prove it. Oh and they are pretty shades of green still after a week.
I finished. By far my worst finish on a the mtn bike. But I did it. Because I paid and I'm gettin my money's worth (unless there is severe injury, then its just stupidity). I also ate, which is a triumph in and of itself. As I cant manage to eat and have both my hands on the bars at the same time. And as we all know, eating is important, esp when you're riding your bike for almost 3 hours.
I crashed, and crashed and well crashed. Nothing bad or on too many rocks. My friend Jason, crashed and managed to break his helmet, it was brand new. Whoops.
On a slightly more interesting note, I think Ryan Trebon's inseam is about 5'...when he passed me his saddle and ass were about eye level with me. Granted, I'm not a tall person, but he is one lanky dude.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Chemistry Procrastination
Just because I have chem homework due tonight and I'm procrastinating...at least this is chemistry...Gummy Bears and Potassium Chlorate
Bikes N Mullets
I passed a super commuter guy (with the helmet, the old mtb w/ slicks, 2 pannier bags, with both pants cuffed with the reflective velcro strap) who had a real live mullet.
I was impressed.
I was impressed.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Not Ok
Ok, this just pisses me off. I mean there is NO excuse for this. None. Zero. Zip. Zilch.
This weekend, someone shot 6 sea lions on the Columbia that were slated for relocation. So that means someone just shot 6 innocent sea lions who were not causing any harm. Several of the sea lions were on the endangered species list and several were also pups.
I know people are upset at the sea lions eating the salmon in the Columbia near the dams. They say it is causing a decline in the salmon population. Sure, but I think us humans with the dams have caused a hell of a lot more issues for the salmon than any of the sea lions could. Realistically, we are creating a nice all you can eat buffet for the sea lions. They are just opportunistic animals and taking advantage of an opportunity we [humans] created.
I hope these people are reincarnated as a slug that someone pours salt on, or an ant that some kid fries with his magnifying lens.
This weekend, someone shot 6 sea lions on the Columbia that were slated for relocation. So that means someone just shot 6 innocent sea lions who were not causing any harm. Several of the sea lions were on the endangered species list and several were also pups.
I know people are upset at the sea lions eating the salmon in the Columbia near the dams. They say it is causing a decline in the salmon population. Sure, but I think us humans with the dams have caused a hell of a lot more issues for the salmon than any of the sea lions could. Realistically, we are creating a nice all you can eat buffet for the sea lions. They are just opportunistic animals and taking advantage of an opportunity we [humans] created.
I hope these people are reincarnated as a slug that someone pours salt on, or an ant that some kid fries with his magnifying lens.
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