DoubleShot Duathlon is back!

The annual DoubleShot Duathlon Propaganda film is finally finished. Its the most anticipated race film of the year, and you can see it free, RIGHT HERE! - Brian @ the DoubleShot

DoubleShot Duathlon
5k run - 15k bike - 5k run
100% dirt singletrack
Turkey Mountain - Tulsa, Oklahoma
October 11, 2008

Prize money for top 3 male/female duathletes:
$300/$200/$100

http://www.doubleshotduathlon.com

New this year is a 5k Trail Run!

Brought to you by DoubleShot Coffee Company: http://www.doubleshotcoffee.com

Project Hardrock SS is no longer...

My wife and I just moved a few months ago from Tulsa to Washington DC.  Well, the Hardrock was in pretty bad shape so I took everything part and was going to try again after the move.  Just have the movers take the frame.  Should be easy enough, right?  Well, it's lost (but I think stolen).

That was my first bike (first real bike) ever.  I miss it more than I ever thought possible.  I even showered naked with it!  I should probably explain that.  In college, when my bike would get muddy, I would take it into the shower.  It was the easiest way, then after washing the bike I would wash myself.  Really, nothing weird going on here.

Look, I know it is the lowest model Specialized you can buy, and it wasn't even in the best of conditions, but it was my first bike.  It's what made me fall in love with mountain biking.  And it was going to be a kick a trick commuter.  But now it's nothing more than a memory...

Let's have a moment of silence.

Maybe the Specialized Angel can bring my Suzy back to me (Suzy is what I named my bike).  

[photo by kwc]

I have a sad bike

I'm having bike problems.  Hopefully nothing major.

I haven't been real biking in a while anyway, probably around 4th of July, I can't remember.  But things were fine then.

Although that's when I started to notice that my fork looked like it was leaking or something.  I'm still not sure if it's just dirty (I know I should clean it) or if it's lube or something.

Also, when I start to mash on the pedals, the chain slips.  I had a friend test it out and we took turns watching each other on the bike to see what it did and he thinks that the rear hub is locking up and it just stops everything.  The chain feels and looks fine and the front derailleur is good.  Also, the rear is in line too.

Other than that, I need some new brake pads and maybe a light cable adjustment.  I can do the brakes myself but you'd think I knew how to properly adjust the cables by now.  

Trek Stop Vending Machine

I'm a Specialized guy myself but this is pretty cool.  But this is just a pretty neat idea.  It sells chain lube, energy bars, water bottles... but you can get air in your tires at any time and it even has a bike stand to hold your bike.

I would love it if they made one of these here.  Regardless of if it's Trek or not, I think this is a great way to jumpstart the biking community if your area.

It would get me on the bike more often especially for commuting.  Having a bike vending machine would probably get a lot of people on their bikes. 

Oh, there have been some times I needed some bike stuff but the shop was closed, and going to this would be perfect!

[source]

Mountain Biking in the DC Area

I just moved here about a week and a half ago, but I already want to get out there and hit the trails.  I have no idea where they are though!

Maybe to just satisfy my biking itch, I'll ride with my brother when we go visit for the 4th.  We may spend the night so that would be fun.  

There are some trails around the Newark, DE area that aren't too bad.  And I heard the skills trail at Middle Run (?) have been totally built up.

But everybody around here in Alexandria ride their bikes so whenever I see them out, it makes me want to get on my bike!

A Specialized Epic may not be totally made for commuting, but it's got gears and a saddle, I'm sure it will be just fine.  I do need to do some work to it though, I think I need a brake adjustment, maybe just some new pads...

Like I mentioned before, I met a guy at work that seems really into cycling and has like 5 or 6 bikes.  Oh boy!  Don't get me excited!  Although, even if I really wanted to, I probably can't get any more bikes unless I have a real way to store them.

Have you guys cycled around the DC area? Or around northeast virginia?  I'm sure I'll find something soon!

New Mountain Biking

I just moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Alexandria, Virginia.  Although I'm still working with the same company, it's a totally different place and making friends can be a hard start at first.

Tulsa wasn't an amazing city of outdoors people and biking to work... although they did have quite a bit to offer, it wasn't like the bike friendly community that Alexandria is.  

But, finding friends in the workplace that have similar hobbies is a crap shoot.

I lucked out.  I found a guy I work with that scuba dives, mountain bikes, does 24 hour adventure races, rock climbs... this guy does it all!  And he's from Delaware (I grew up there) too!

That's all I wanted to say for now.  Just an update on moving and trying to fit in.  Where are my usual friends?  They need to move out here...

Oh, and we sold Jenni's bike.  The FSR.  Yeah, she gave mountain biking a shot but she really would feel more comfortable on a cruiser.  That blue and red Bianchi Milan looks pretty good...

Commuting By Bike

I'm about to become a full time bike commuter. I'm a little ashamed though. It's not the situation where I was inspired in some "light from above" way, but I actually will just be living so freaking close to work that it makes no sense to drive!

Oh, I don't think I mentioned it before, but we are moving to Alexandria, Virginia, right in Old Town. So biking is going to be so easy.

I don't think I'm using a different bike either. I'll just use the Epic. Yeah, it's not really a commuter, no panniers or bell, and certainly not an ergonomic riding position, but hey, its got wheels and brakes. I'll think I'll be alright.

One reason I didn't really want to bike to work before was the lack of a shower. I could get a YMCA membership but I didn't want to pay for that so that I had to at least ride x number of days to make even that worth it. Under pressure like that, I would probably not keep up with it.

Also, the metro is close by so that if I had to go somewhere else, I would be able to just hop right on and not have to worry about traffic or gas... ahh... being free from gas. That sounds really nice.

Bike commuting is great because if you enjoy riding, at least you get a small amount of time on the bike without having to feel like you have to ride after work if you are tired.

Have any of you guys and gals bike commuted to work before? I did it a handful of times here in Tulsa, but that's about 9 miles each way. Not bad, but I needed a shower for sure! I'll be alright in VA, being only about 5 blocks away!

BSO Pic 1

PICT0024-1
Originally uploaded by scrappapervlog

Bike Shaped Object.

This is old, but anyway, Costco was selling these. I can't guarantee quality. Although, this looks awfully close to a Specialized S Works model bike.

BSO Pic 2

PICT0025-1
Originally uploaded by scrappapervlog

Mike Petrucci Racing 1

Mike Petrucci Racing 1
Originally uploaded by scrappapervlog

This is me riding the first race of the Tour de Dirt series in Oklahoma. Check out okearthbike.com for the schedule and thanks to Kevin Smith for snapping these pics!
Oh, I came in second place in the Clydesdales category, first race ever!

Mike Petrucci Racing 2

Mike Petrucci Racing 2
Originally uploaded by scrappapervlog

This is me riding the first race of the Tour de Dirt series in Oklahoma. Check out okearthbike.com for the schedule and thanks to Kevin Smith for snapping these pics!
Oh, I came in second place in the Clydesdales category, first race ever!

Tales of a first time racer...

I never thought I would race, mostly because I get nervous and self conscience about my skill, or lack of! But everyone I have ever talked to about my thoughts on racing have been positive and uplifting. I mean, what kind of friend honestly tells you to not do something or say you will suck?!

So, after everyone telling me that I just have to do it, I bit the bullet and signed up for my first race. That doesn't mean I wasn't nervous! But I kept telling myself it was just for fun and even last place is fine, just finish and have a good time.

My wife also told me that I would be able to buy a new bike jersey if I raced, and I really wanted the "Masher" jersey from Twin Six, so I had to race!

Signing up for the race was bittersweet. I signed up, that felt good, but in the Clydesdales category. Now, the way that I made myself feel better was that even an Expert class rider can ride in Clydesdales, they only have to be over 200 pounds... although not many Expert riders are over 200, so hmmm....

But still, racing is racing no matter what class you are in! Right!?

All the beginners lined up for their one minute staggered start and the Clydesdales were in the back. No problem, that's what I was going to do anyway. My idea was to not go bolting out of the gate and just take my time. That way I would feel like I'm just out for a fun ride instead of racing.

But that didn't work... I mean, I didn't go crazy and just mash but I wasn't a slouch. I thought about throwing elbows, but there were only 7 of us.

I quickly moved into third, which was fine for me. Just staying close to the other guys tire and waiting for him to slip. Actually, as soon as we got in the woods, he dismounted for the hill and I squeaked by, but had to hop off shortly after.

So, now in second place, I started thinking "Wow, not too bad!" Although it was like 1 minute into the race...

But on a small track of singletrack before getting to the big hill, Lipbuster, I actually passed two other people from the category ahead of me. I'm starting to get pumped!

They told us Clydesdales that the first one to the top of the hill gets a free pair of sunglasses, just tell the kid at the top. It wasn't my goal in the beginning, but now it was. I was right on the wheel of the number one guy. I had to dismount due to the slick rocks as did the other guy so it was a heavy breathing fast paced walk to the top. Just a few feet to the top, I tried to sprint by, but man he turned on the heat and that was the last I saw of him the entire race.

So I knew I had a good chance at second, just keep a good pace and and a good line. The next section was some really fast switchbacks that with my old tire on the front (Specialized Fast Track Pro) was torture; always willing to wash out. But I put a new Hutchinson Mosquito on the front and kept the Fast Track Pro on the rear and I just glided on those turns without even touching the brakes.

Passed two more people. Really, I never thought I would feel this good and pass this many people so soon. I started thinking that maybe I was going to strong but my legs were feeling fine!

After that section, I didn't see anyone for a while because it got pretty technical and I think that a lot of us were really watching our line trying to fall or pinch flat.

There came a few really fast long downhill sections that I got in my big ring and stomped! I managed to catch someone and pass him, I think he was surprised to see someone go by so fast! But he didn't know that on the hills I was pretty much useless!

It's all about maintaining the illusion!

Some uphills, some creek crossings, some mud, some downhill rock gardens... it became a blur. I just wanted to finish this thing and see where I placed.

Right near the end, less than a mile, I saw a guy off the trail taking off his front tire to change a flat, and I thought it was the number one Clydesdale! Oh my gosh! I'm in the lead!

Spoiler alert... I wasn't. It was some other guy. When I finished, I finished strong, pounding till the end and they told me I came in second. Crap!

Wait!? Crap? Why did I say Crap? I was planning on coming in last if anything, but I came in second!

See, that's the racer in me talking, which I didn't know was there! I mean, I'm not blazing by any means, but I took second! I have to be decent then!

Well, anyway, my wife was proud of me and some friends were there so it was pretty cool. I felt on top of the world! Yet still pissed I got second... He beat me by 10 minutes though and I was 6 minutes ahead of the number 3 guy, so I'm ok.

Needless to say, I plan on racing again although I'm still nervous! But hey, it's fun! You don't have to be pro to race! You just have to enjoy mountain biking!

I just have to get in shape for that 12 miler at Keystone...

Kevin Smith took some pictures during the race and I'll upload those in a minute. Also my wife took some video and as soon as capture it, I'll upload it for you to see. I need a helmet cam or something!

My First Race!

I did my first race today. It was wet. It was cold. It was muddy. It was a blast!

I went into it, just to have fun and finish (probably last) but I ended up getting 2nd in my class! Clydesdales! The number one guy was 10 minutes ahead, and the number three guy was 6 minutes behind me.

I don't have any pics, although some lady took some, but my wife took video and I'll post it soon!

Woohoo!

Pedal-less and Butt Broken...

While riding yesterday, getting ready for the race on Sunday, I took a spill. It was pretty bad, but only because I landed on a pointy rock right on my lower back/upper butt.

I laid there in the trail, too much in pain to move if anyone came. Luckily it only hurt really bad for about a minute. Then I was able to stand up.

After I got back on my feet and inspected my bike, I decided to finish the ride. But, after riding just a few feet, I noticed my left crank arm felt loose.

Great.

Well, you can guess what happened. I walked a few miles out of Turkey Mountain. Good thing was that my back seemed to stop hurting.

Last night, I just tossed and turned all night. I couldn't get comfortable at all. And all day today, I've been limping and walking around funny.

During my lunch break, I dropped the Epic off at T-Town and they are going to do a full overhaul to get me ready for the race. I just hope my body is ready!

Get rid of the Camelbak?

After seeing a setup like this maybe I'll ditch the Camelbak for a full time race look!

Take the jump and read a great interview.

Templeton needs one of these...

There is a great review on this dog trailer over at The Bike Geek.  Take the jump.

Sea Otter Classic 276

Sea Otter Classic 276
Originally uploaded by Dave August

Awesome pic! They're like race cars!

Great Blurb

I was surfing around on some cycling blogs and found a great post.  Check it out here but here is the best thing I got from it: 

"I think how committed you are to being a roadie can be measured by the number of people you don't wave to on a given day."

Wet trails? Go for a ride on Riverside!

I didn't have time the other day to ride and the trails were wet so I didn't want to ruin them.  So I went for a ride on Riverside, about 6 miles in 28 minutes.  Strong headwinds too!  Enjoy the map!

I don't think I can do this...

Scenic huh!?

Scenic huh!?
Originally uploaded by scrappapervlog

Just did the "hike a bike" at Turkey Mountain and I was wore out... so I took a picture! I need to take more pictures!

Turkey Mountain Test

What a bust! Well almost...

Ok, so the Womble didn't turn out quite like I expected. There was 4-5 inches of snow on most of the trail that just made it very unrideable.

We usually ride about 9 miles on Friday, 19 on Saturday, and 8 on Sunday, but I only rode the Friday ride. I got back in the dark, feet soaked and numb.

I've never been that cold in my life! But I knew soon I would be back at camp so that was enough for me!

Relaxing around the fire and sleeping in was just perfect! I also got to enjoy some coffee I brought from DoubleShot. Everyone else also mentioned how much they enjoyed my coffee!

But I do feel cheated that I didn't get those big miles under my tires that I usually do. I was looking forward to stretching my legs because the wife didn't come this time!

The Epic was ready to roar! I got Suzy, oh, that's what I call her, Suzy Specialized Epic, all cleaned up the night before... chain degreased and relubed... but now it's in worse condition. I plan on getting it ready tonight.

The weather this week is pretty sweet so I'm going to try and ride with some friends. If the rain holds off on Thursday, I'll try out a new trail at Chandler Park with a coworker.

I've downloaded a few mountain biking podcasts and some have gone stale however. I need to find a good one that is updated regularly, preferably an audio podcast. Do you recommend one?

Anyway, I shot some footage of the trip, not of the ride, so it will probably be boring, but I'll post it anyway.

Womble Informational Brochure

Sorry for it being all cut up but it was the easiest way to try and keep it in order.

Womble This Weekend!

I'll post the "informational" brochure today hopefully but the Womble is this weekend!

Woohoo!

Nothing better than camping and mountian biking!

Finally back on the bike!

I finally made it out, back on the bike! 

Gosh it felt good!  Although I was really sore after for the next day. But I love it when I feel sore like that.

I did some trail maintenance with the ORU Mountain Bike class then rode with my friend Matt.

After Matt left, I met up with Bob & Lance from Church On The Move and we rode.

Wore me out!

Anyway, enjoy the pics! I need to find a way to take more but I get tired and forget!

Trail Maintenance & Ride

Ok, with the weather supposed to be great tomorrow (I wore shorts on Superbowl Sunday), I'm going to help out the ORU mountain bike class with trail maintenance up at Turkey Mountain.

If I can find my charger I'll bring my digital camera.

Oh, and Matt and I are going to ride then Bob is coming to meet up so we can ride some too. I haven't ridden in a long, long time!

I'll have to get my bike in working order! See ya!

Dues

A few years ago I went on a ride with a bunch of guys to Arkansas to ride the Womble Trail.

One guy brought a walmart bike. He bought it a few days before, then used some sander or something to take all the graphics off so it was just like brushed metal, kinda cool looking actually.

Then he threw on some clipless pedals, just some spd's he borrowed from a friend and he had his bike!

He then out biked guys on bikes like the trek liquid or something. I was very impressed! That was also my first big mountain bike trip and I was riding my 2003 Specialized Hardrock with flat pedals, and even that surprised a ton of people when I beat them back to camp!

So yeah, whenever I get some friends turned on to mountain biking, I urge them to start low, if you are serious, then a bike that costs 350-400 will get you through, and if you decide you don't like it, at least you didn't spend 2 grand!

That's also how I justify buying my latest bike. Last May, I bought a 2006 Specialized Epic. It was a year old, but brand new from my LBS. $1500 when it was listed as $2200. So I got it.

I also got it because I feel I've earned my right in a way. I've paid my dues. Sure I may be a little portly around the midsection and all, but you (well probably not you) would be surprised at how I outride guys who have much more "muscle" than me.

But that's a little off topic.

Look, get a cheap bike only $3-400 will work. Take it to your trails, if you don't like it, at least you have a nice bike you can use forever because those bikes are pretty solidly made.

What bike did you start on?

Nick MTB

This is the first thing I've ever edited. What do you think? Oh, and this was a few years ago on Avid Xpress Pro.

[Your] Mountain Biking

There was a really cool site started recently called YourMTB.com. But unfortunately, the group that started it, had to get out of the business and sell it. Luckily for us, it's still maintained but it's sad to see our leader go.

This is a site where it's all about showcasing you. You upload photos, they get featured! You write articles! Reviews! Post videos!

I thought it was a really great idea, but I guess that niche specific group is hard to maintain. But go over there and check it out. Let me know if you join! My name on their is "epicmike."

*Update*

The Enthusiast Group has been acquired by The Kisco Group

Looks like YourMTB will be around longer! I'm sorry, I've been out of the loop myself!

Remembering warmer times

Oh, and yes, I drive a minivan.

I love my van! I think I need to post some pics of my new stickers. I guess I talk mostly about my ride that I forget to talk about my "ride."

It's got plenty of room for gear, it's cozy, sleeps two... it even gets decent mileage!

Do you guys/gals throw your bikes on the roof of your car, the hitch of your van, or the bed of your truck?

When am I getting out?

I know I know....

I was thinking maybe this weekend, I was going to brave the 33 degree hi, but my father in law is coming to town so that's my excuse.

But check out the weather in Tulsa this week.

What's the coldest you've biked in?

Oh so dirty...

Yeah, my bike is pretty dirty right now.  Oh, and now, I didn't get to ride yesterday, I'm sorry...

But how do you guys/gals clean your bike?

For my chain, I use the Park Tool Chain Gang chain cleaner.  I think it's a pretty nice way to clean my chain and it looks so smooth afterwards!

For the degreaser, I've been using some Pedro's citrus degreaser and it works really well.  Plus I love the smell of oranges!

To lube my chain up after it's all clean, I got some White Lightning Lube but it's actually more waxy I've noticed.  It works well to repel the water and mud or dirt.  I'm happy with it.  It gets the chain flowing nicely.

Now, for cleaning the bike itself, I don't have a really special process, but I did buy one of those pesticide sprayer things, you know, the one you pump and then spray the wand around?

Well, I fill it with water, then soft spray all the chunks of dirt or mud off the big, then use this really soft brush I got for a car at Walmart and brush away the rest of the dirt and spray again, then air dry and dry with a towel.

It gets a decent shine out of it.  

Since I need to clean it, maybe I'll post some pics, but it's getting cold now and it's dark when I get off work... we'll see!

Bike, Blogs, Beginnings.

I made this blog to help me get back on the saddle.  Things have gotten busy, and the weather has gotten cold, but that doesn't mean you can't bike.

Heck, I even got some knee warmers for Christmas so I could talk myself into riding more!

Some things I hope to accomplish through this blog.

- I want to start bike commuting to work.

I work about 8 or 9 miles away, and I can ride almost the whole way on a paved sidewalk along the Arkansas River.

- I would like to get back into shape and lose some weight.

Do not confuse this with some new years resolution!

- I would like to make some new friendships through mountain biking and strengthen some old ones.

Being busy, I have unfortunately some dear riding friends and I hate to disappoint.

Well, that's about it!

Why do you ride?

I ride mostly for enjoyment.  Forget the exercise.  I just love blasting through some singletrack and pumping my legs to get up some root covered hill.  Getting some dirt thrown in your face as you race a friend.  Creek crossings that cool you off.  

It's that feel good feeling.

I miss it more than I can even know.  I see my bike, hanging on the wall.  I don't want to become a Seinfeld.  Maybe tomorrow.  Maybe tomorrow I'll go.

No, I really think I will!  

Ok, it's late.  I'll let you know how it goes.