Bear Mt. Report

Heading to Bear Mountain:

After the Ft. Ritchie Crit Kate, Evan and I loaded into Kate’s Honda Fit and headed to New York for the Bear Mountain road race to take place the following day. Turns out you can cram a lot of shit up in the Honda Fit. I was really rather amazed, especially considering we were operating without a roof rack. Our inventory included the following:

- three bikes

- three people

- three helmets

- three pair road shoes

- three bags

- four gallons of water

- 12 bottles of beer (evan’s prime prize)

- one floor pump

- one set spare wheels

- yoga foam roller thing

- eight bananas (give or take)

- one folding chair

- ….hmmmmm and some other stuff

Oh, and we were lucky enough to end up with the DELUXE room at the Days Inn in Nanuet. That's right, D-Lux....

The course:

4 lap course of roughly 14 miles each (56 mile total) with a 3.5 mile climb per lap. Aside from the climb, it was a pretty chill course, oh, and it had a downhill finish.

Race Report:

Back in the winter I expressed a desire to learn to love climbing as much as I love birthday cake. Still a bit of a disconnect there, but I thought going to Bear Mountain was a good step in the direction of improving my climbing skills.

(photo credit: members.virtualtourist.com)

I’m still trying to figure out if I operate best using an associative or dissociative approach to dealing with pain and suffering on the bike. I think most of the top athletes in any endurance sport tend to use an associative approach by tapping into their pain as a kind of a masochistic fix. The Buddhist in me would like to us the dissociative approach, but I can’t seem to convince myself that the pain is just a state of mind. I should do a lit. review on this at some point.

Things were going ok until we hit the climb for the second time. My legs got heavy, my quads were throbbing, and a gap opened up between me and the lead group. I new I could probably catch them on the flats just after the climb. This was a mistake. I should have just absolutely buried myself …did I have it in me though …still trying to figure that out.

Just after I lost contact with the lead group the sausage parade came through (men’s pro1/2), passing myself and the other small group of ladies I was with. Immediately upon passing us they sat up, creating a sausage road block, therefore sealing our fate of chase group for what would be the remainder of the race. Oh well, that’s racing for you. That’s the price you pay for losing contact.

Meanwhile, up front, Lorena was turning the screws and really putting the hurt on the women’s field. Unfortunately, no one was willing to go with her on any of the breaks she initiated. The course is a little counter intuitive. It is a climber’s course; however, it doesn’t really do much to reward a pure climber in the end because the climb is located so far from the finish. So even if Lorena had gotten away on the climb on the last lap, they would surely catch her on the long flats. In the end it came down to a field sprint which resulted in Kate and Lorena taking 5th and 6th respectively. The podium was swept by the Canadian crew... this seems to be a habit.

As for me, I found some ladies to work with. I fancy myself queen of pace line organization. It’s a lot like hosting a party (click invite on right). I have a knack for it. I rolled in somewhere ….not in the top ten.

Results:

Cat 1/2/3 Women, 56 miles, 55 starters
1. 232 Beth Miller, North Atlantic-Velo /Classbook.com

2. 244 Jen Stephenson, Team Ultralink

3. 205 Joanie Caron, Equipe Cascades

4. 231 Sinead Miller, UPMC Cycling Performance

5. 214 Kate Fiore, HPC Powered by Altarum

6. 204 Lorena Candrian, HPC Powered by Altarum

7. 210 Sabra Davison

8. 217 Audrey Friedrichsen Scott, Bikeway/Verge Sport

9 230 Alyssa Mellon, Team Ultralink

10.237 Lucie Poulin, Le Yeti

Ft. Ritchie Report

Waking up on Saturday morning to the sound of pounding rain made it that much more difficult to scrape my crap together and bee bop on out to Hagerstown for the Fort Ritchie Criterium. After a few stout cups of coffee and blank staring into space, I was able to round up the inspiration to load up the Black Stallion (this is a new name…I’m just trying it out …we’ll see how it goes)

By the time I arrived at the race course, the rain had stopped, the course dried up, the coffee kicked in and I was ready to go. We started with a good crew of ladies in a field of maybe 30? The course was as flat as any course I think we’ll see all year with a couple little dog legs. I love dog legs. So much fun to find the perfect line and lean the bike into corners! (photo: spring has sprung at ft. ritchie!)

I think it was the second prime that I found myself in good position for. I tried to take it, ended up third wheel back, but succeeded in finding myself in a break of about 7 women. I really wouldn’t have gone for it had it not been for Kate’s encouraging words. Thanks again Kate! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to hang with the break …dropped off the back and eventually got reabsorbed back into the main field. Seeing that Kate was now alone in the break, Lorena successfully bridged up without dragging anyone else with her. Nicely done Lorena! We don’t call her the Stormin’ Mormon for nothing!

Unfortunately, there seemed to be somewhat of a miscommunication with respect to when the last lap was to actually take place. So, this resulted in a little bit of a botched lead out up in the break. Oh well, mistakes happen, it wasn’t a big priority race, and there are bigger problems in the world …like finding a way to deliver nutritional biscuits to Myanmar. (photo: jenn stays warm while waiting to race the men's Cat 3 crit)

Kristie, Jenn, and I put in a few attacks in the chase group, but it finally ended up in a field sprint. Jenn strung things out on the last lap. Again, I was in great position coming out of the last corner. Not a great sprint, but I did feel like I was able to wind it up a little better than in past races which resulted in a 14th place finish. Maybe next time I'll hang with the break. Kate, your words of encouragement make all the difference!

Top three results:

1) Janet Olney
2) Sonia Evers (yay sonia!!!)
3) Heidi Goldberg (The Tune-Ups choral director)

Full Results HERE



photo: heidi gets tuned up for bike to work day

A Raw Deal: III

Monday's Raw Milk Rally on behalf of Mark Nolt was fairly successful. Representing himself, Nolt was released from police custody, and his case has gained even more awareness in the public eye. Unfortunately, Nolt ws forced to pay the hefty sum of 5 citations issued over the past year for selling raw milk without a permit.



Some protesters got a little rowdy I guess...





Jonas shared some words with the media:

“We’re going to change the law,” Stoltzfus said. “We’re in this for the long haul, so long as it takes.”

Go gettem' Jonas!!!

Full Article in the Carlisle Sentinal: CLICK HERE
photo credits: http://www.cumberlink.com/

Archives:
A Raw Deal I
A Raw Deal II

Tenacidad

The Tenacious Scooter Thief is at it again...

I was late to work, but had to stop and read the new signage. Maybe it was just a miscommunication all along?

Hopefully the new bilingual signs will help clear things up....

Tried my best to translate:

left photo: Bad thief, get a job and buy one.

right photo: Very bad thief, you've tried many times for nothing

We're still missing pieces of this story....

(location: corner of 16th and Lamont)

Animal Crackers

I am the best vending machine rocker ever...

Yay!!!!

In other news...

It was a busy weekend for State College folks...

Rich Straub of Human Zoom/PBR won the men’s pro 1/2 race at Turkey Hill!!! Too bad there weren’t any ladies around to witness his explosive sprint! No women’s race at Turkey Hill this year!!!

Sadly, Dana Cuomo of Team Alliance Environmental crashed out of the crit at Memorial Hall and broke both of her arms. Please send Dana lots of positive healing energy and well wishes!!!

After flatting out of Poolesville, Joe Whitman headed off for a photo shoot with Men's Health Magazine. Look for him in next month's issue!!! (BikerFox):


(note: Dana tried her best to encourage the Turkey Hill race promoter to consider including some ovaries in his race schedule…but to no avail. Way to make some waves Cuomo! Maybe next year!!!)

Michaux Maximus

Background:

Michaux State Forest (named after the French botanist, Andre Michaux) was established thanks to the concern of one of Pennsylvania's most influential conservationists of the day, Joseph Rothrock. In response to rampant deforestation during the mid 1800s, Rothrock helped establish the Michaux State Forest as a means to introduce more sustainable forest management practices into the region. So, many thanks to Rothrock for making this race possible....

The race:

Although my legs were a bit tired from the day before, I was looking forward to a nice romp in the Michaux woods. Pain and fatigue aside, in my mind Michaux races are a great opportunity to play in the rocks and soak in some good PA single track. Thanks to Chris’s stellar mechanical skills, I was able to start the race on a completely functioning bike….even if it was a little mismatched. For reasons I won’t go into, my components were comprised of the following:

Celebrate Diversity!!!

> Hayes front brake

> Avid rear brake

> Sram front shifter

> Shimano rear shifter

....I like to mix things up

For the first part of the race I was jockeying for position between 2nd and 3rd. Ultimately I lost sight of the first two ladies on one of the climbs. I had banked on catching at least one of them in the rocks…but never again would I catch a glimpse of their pink and green jerseys.

As I've mentioned before, it is not unusual for me to find new creative ways of screwing things up at Michaux. A couple of years ago I shaved off a significant portion of the course and surprised everyone when I finished just behind Eatough.... so this year I was pretty cautious when it came to keeping an eye out for the course split. Once I succefully made the turn following the 25 mile loop (and not the 50 miler) I was able to relax mentally and just focus on the remainder of the race.

Rolling in at 3rd place, I was happy with my effort. My bike didn’t break. My legs were cashed. I had some great PRPs (shout out to Lesley!). It was a good day. Nice racing Janele and Selene! You ladies were awesome out there! Next time I won't let you get away on the climb!!!

Oh, and I went home with a new floor pump for the EPA bike lockerroom!!!

Other City Bikes folks and extended family members included:

Dave: Seemed to have a good day…but was a bit sketched out by all the slick roots (photo: dave shortly after crossing the finish)

Steve: Raced single speed and rolled in at 4th place!!! Nice job Steve!

Chris: Had another great weekend on the bike and finished 2nd place in the single speed field!!! Woohoo!

Full Results HERE

Yay Michelle!!!

top 3 women in the 50 miler

Oh, and in the spirit of Andre Michaux…I noticed the following botanical species along the trail:

common blue violet - Viola papilonacea

wintergreen - Gaultheria procumbens

In other news, it sounds like things went well at Lodi for the DCMTB crew!!! >>>> Mike’s blog
And Exactly how fuxed was Icon O. Classt???

Poolesville Report

Background info:

Poolesville came into existence thanks to the Poole brothers, John and Joseph, when they bought 160 acres of land with which they eventually established a timber company. The town of Poolesville was not officially established until 1867. So...that sets the stage for Saturday's race....

The Race:

This year I’ve decided to put a concerted effort into accumulating

some upgrade points. So, rather than joining the majority of my teammates in the 1/2/3 race I opted for the women’s 3/4 race where I hoped to earn some points. Unfortunately, those plans were foiled…but it was a good day anyway. Here’s how things went… (photo: women's 3/4 field - James Wilson Photos)

Our race was to include 4 laps of roughly ten miles with a gravel road section that may have been about a mile or so long. Poolesville is notorious for its gravel road section that usually chisels down a large portion of the field (photo: Dana & Joe...state college folks!) Oh, Melissa Wills was there too! It was a reunion of sorts.

The race was on almost immediately from the start. Joyce sat on the front for what I would call.... the majority of the race and just hammered. Part of

me wanted to roll up next to her and say...."hey lady, I'll give you 20 bucks if you take the pace down just a notch."

My main concern was to lead into the gravel road section in order to avoid the ensuing chaos that was sure to play out in the back of the pack. This proved to be a good move.

Save for the rather deep potholes it really wasn’t that bad. What was bad was my handlebars that kept slipping every time I hit a hole a bit too hard….resulting in about a 90 degree rotation. Using brute strength I would wrench the bars back in place…which overcompensated for the situation until the next hole came along to dial things back into position. This made for some hectic bike handling. (photo: men's pro 1/2 field - James Wilson Photos)

Amanda Watson of Artemis attacked on the hill just after the gravel section at the end of the third lap. Annie (tristate velo) and I tried to bridge up to her... I had problems getting into my big ring at the top of the hill ...it was probably best that I didn't attempt to chase Amanda down as I would probably have just pulled the field up with me and then promptly blown sky high... so everything happens for a reason I guess.

Charging up the last hill on the last lap I dug pretty deep. So, the sprint came. My legs were heavy. I thought I may have been in the top 10…but I actually landed in 11th place…amounting to a total of ZERO upgrade points for the day. Not the result I was imagining for a3/4 race. Oh, and mad props to Amanda for her solo win!!!

Tania, one of HPC’s newest team members had an awesome day on the bike and finished up the day in 6th place. Nice racing lady!!! Beth, also new to HPC, finished her first race with a smile. Looking forward to racing with you ladies again! (photo: Kate, Tania, and I)

I would try to cover the men’s and women’s 1/2/3 races…but this is getting a bit lengthy…and I’m running out of pictures. Oh, but I do know that Kate won the field sprint....she really has an amazing sprint in her. And Chris finished 17th in the pro men's field....which was indeed a valiant effort as over half the field dropped out of the race. ...something like 70+ men started and only 20 finished!!!

Full results HERE

Todd :
That night we stayed with my good friend Todd who I haven’t seen in almost two years now. Wow, where does the time go? Since his departure from State College, Todd has become quite domestic. Thanks again Todd for all your hospitality! The lasagna was awesome! You're one great...."hoster-man".

James Kunstler

Author, James Kunstler, recently released his latest book "World Made By Hand".

At a time when buzz words such as "environmental sustainability" seem to have lost all meaning, Kunstler brings us back down to reality. What I like most about him is that he is not willing to sugar coat the issue and recognizes that technological advances will not save us from ourselves. For any significant changes to be made we will need to make very real sacrifices in our daily lives.

He was also recently interviewed on the Colbert Report

A Raw Deal: II

As some of you may remember, it was just last summer that I joined the Stoltzfus family in the organization of a Raw Milk Rally launched in response to a raid on the Nolt Family's dairy farm in Perry County, Pennsylvania. Their crime....selling unpasteurized milk, cheese and yogurt without a permit.

Unfortunately their farm was again raided by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Mr. Nolt was taken into police custody earlier this week. Why don't we ever see this stuff on COPS? It must have been quite a scene....wrestling a humble Mennonite to the ground and robbing him of all his raw cheese.

The Stoltzfus family has again sprung into action and a rally is currently planned to take place on May 5. See info below:

Rally in Support of Mark Nolt
Please join the Pennsylvania Independent Consumers and Farmers Association (PICFA) at a rally on Monday May 5th in support of Mark Nolt, local farmer and friend, who was recently arrested on his farm for selling raw milk and raw milk products. The rally is being held at 9:30 am at the District Court in Cumberland County located at 229 Mill Street, Mt. Holly Springs, PA 17065. The rally aims to engage the local citiz enry and the Pennsylvania legislature in bringing attention to a farmer's constitutionally protected right to sell raw milk, and raw milk products, directly to consumers (as well as a consumer's right to buy and consume these products). This will be a peaceful assembly. Concerned citizens are encouraged to bring signs and banners in support of Mark Nolt and that reflect positively on raw milk and its benefits. Those who are unable to attend the rally are encouraged to contact their legislators in support of direct farmer to consumer sales of raw milk and raw milk products, to contact local media to request coverage of the rally, and to support the defense fund that has been established for Mark Nolt by sending a check in his name to Mark Nolt, c/o PO Box 136, Blain, PA 17006.


News Clip



Support Small Farms and Local Food!!!
Health benefits of raw milk: click here!!!

Eating is an agricultural act.

- wendell berry

just another morning

Greenbrier Report

What's the best way to approach a mtb race report? The problem with writing a report for a mtb race is that it quickly becomes a rather narcissistic account of the trials, tribulations, and sometimes victories of the narrator. These things are best saved for a personal journal I think. …who really wants to read that stuff?

On the other hand, a race report may include the results for an entire team…highlighting individual trials, tribulations and victories. This kind of reporting can become rather labor intensive. So, what’s the point? Why write a race report when folks can easily get on line and see the results. What is it that we hope to derive from a race report?

Photo on left provided by JD Galleries. Lots of great photos on their site!

In ten years, what will we want to remember about this day? I think the long and short of it is….it’s a bike race…. Greenbrier always attracts stellar athletes as it is a convenient opportunity to qualify for nationals.... local and national heroes line up and race the same course.... technical riders get their chance to shine… old racing friends are reunited….ad infinitum

So, all that being said, I’ll do my best to give a brief highlight of how the day panned out for the DCMTB Team and its extended family. Oh, and I wasn’t in the picture taking mood. Sometimes I feel a bit awkward taking pictures at these events because it somehow removes you from the actual event itself. Speaking of taking pictures, let’s start this race report with Joel:

Joel: Despite the fact that he had a flat and had to wrestle with those pesky Specialized skewers, Gwadz was able to hold onto a first place finish for the Clydesdale class!!! (Gwadzilla's account of Greenbrier)

Jenn: After winning the female solo class at Baker’s Dozen last weekend, Jenn’s problem knee was a bit fatigued. Sadly she was not able to finish the women’s marathon event. Rest up lady! You gotta win more races!

Javaun: Even though he wasn’t sporting a DCMTB jersey…I’ll still give him props for his 11th place finish in the marathon event.

Joe: Joe cranked out some good lap times in the marathon and finished in 13th place. Guess he’s getting in as much racing as possible before the baby arrives!

MattyD: Matt is really coming into form. He had a good race with a 6th place finish in the men’s expert field (just behind McGill). Must be all that sandbagging at the Tuesday night hill reps?

RickyD: (we’ll still include him even if part of the SS Outlaw Clan) RickyD flatted, but like always…he did it with style and finished with spunk.

Steve: Finished with an impressive 6th place in the men’s single speed division…. Apparently he fell down the rabbit hole or something… I need to read that e-mail again

Tris & Mike: After racing in the early morning, Tris and Mike did a fabulous job of cheering and supporting the rest of the team.

Chris (McGill): Racing single speed in the men’s expert field, Chris had a fabulous day on the bike which landed him in 5th place in the expert field ….quite impressive considering the other folks had some gears to choose from.

Me: Hmmm….I put in a good effort. I still think I’m holding back on the climbs for some reason. Wasn’t so impressed with my 5th place finish, but at least the time gaps weren’t too big.

Lord…who am I missing…..Darren? Chris Clark? Jonathan? Loren? Sorry!
(See, this is what I mean….it gets tricky)

The Nannies: Would you believe that the nannies (Kimberley and Raquel) I met last weekend on the airplane came out to watch the race?! They were a little confused… and a little cold, hungry, and tired…. but I was really touched that they made it out to watch the race!!! I’ll have to join them at the karaoke bar some time! I do a great Janice Joplin impression!

Pro Results:
Men:
1) Jeff Shalk
2) Chris Eatough
3) Harlan Price

Women:
1) Theresa Richardson
2) Cheryl Sornson (prospective life coach)
3) Johanna Kraus

THE END

So…next weekend is Poolesville and Michaux…I’ll be sure to take pictures.

Full Results Here

Tenacity

The tenacious scooter thief...

Passed this on my way to work last week near the corner of 16th and Lamont....

There is something to be said for tenacity....

Sea Otter: Part II

Ok, so I’ve kind of been putting off this race report because:

a) I am not altogether pleased with the results
b) I’m feeling a little disappointed in my performance
c) I’m still processing how I feel about the event as a whole

In my defense, I will say I think the course could have used a lot more rocks and a lot less gravel road. So, here’s how it happened:

Women's Expert XC Race

The race began with about half a lap on the race track before it made an exit onto the gravel road. I was in great position from the start, riding up in the top five. I felt good. My head was in the race. We hit the single track and stayed together…the pace actually got quite slow. I stayed with these ladies for….about half the race? Then the climbs came and I let a gap form…and then I lost sight of them…and then I lost my mental edge.

I’m not sure what happened in my brain, but I just wasn’t in the race mentally. The course lacked the technicality I crave…and I just didn’t have that edge I needed to push myself to the wall. I wasn’t out for a leisurely Sunday ride, but I definitely feel that I had more to give that race…and I didn’t…for some reason…I’m still not sure why. It’s so much easier to keep your focus in a road race when you’re shoulder to shoulder with ladies who are just as close to puking their brains out. It’s rather convenient that way. (random filler photo)

I was especially irked with myself when I saw how close I could have come to making up a few places if I had just stayed focused. So the results are as follows:

Yeah, nothing to write home about.

Jacquie and I talked about the race at some length… it meant a lot to me that she took the time to offer her insight. I think I’d like to adopt her as my surrogate mother.

In other news:

Wandering around the venue I ran into a few old friends (Nate from Athen's pictured to the right) I haven’t seen in a while. It was good to have some time to catch up with Mike… as always, we shared a few good laughs (btw - it was Mike who talked me into this crazy trip in the first place). Oh, and I’d like to send out a big THANK YOU to Mike’s dad for providing the hotel. We really couldn’t have asked for a nicer place to stay! By they way, if you’re looking to add some more of the visual arts to your life, please check out Mike’s ebay store…he’s cranking out some good stuff these days. (photo of mike at starting line)

After the race on Sunday I made a quick jaunt to the beach, soaked in a good ten minutes of oceanic serenity, hopped in my Pimpin’ Pontiac, and drove back up to San Francisco where I stayed with my cousin Amanda and her fiancé, Cameron. It’s too bad she lives so far away… she’s an awesome lady… and she makes me proud to be a Kelso.

On the plane trip back I was reunited with my new nanny friends I made on the flight out. Sounds like they might come out to watch Greenbrier next weekend???

From the get go I thought it was a funny idea to haul my ass out to Califorania for an expert race. Lackluster results aside, I still think I got my money's worth. It's all about the friends you make along the way.

Click here for full photo coverage

oh, and it turns out that Joel was just up the road attending a wedding, funny small world

Sea Otter: Part I

Part One:
I arrived in Oakland, CA yesterday around 4pm and made my way to Fairfax where I stayed with Jacquie Phelan and Charlie Cunningham. When I arrived, Jacquie was in the kitchen preparing a beautiful dinner gleaned entirely from local Fairfax dumpsters. It has been an impressive four years since Jacquie last purchased goods from a grocery store.

We dined in their garden and talked late into the evening... she is an endless wealth of knowledge, energy and creativity and I listened eagerly to the endless stories and quirky bits of knowledge she so graciously heaped onto my plate.

Last night I slumbered in the Airstream while they slept perched up in the trees in their treehouse bedroom... Swiss Family Robinson Style.

This morning Charlie worked in the garden while I built up my bike. Charlie looked over my bike approvingly. He seemed pleasantly surprised with the frame design of my Kona Kula Supreme. It was a rather surreal morning.... french toast and tea with Jacquie, some banjo playing, talking shop with Charlie, talking life with both of them, a little friendly arm wrestling. I loaded up my pimp-ass rental Pontiac G8, they bid me fair well, and I headed south for Monterey. Truly an experience that will forever be in my scrapbook of memories.


































So...anyway, I pre-rode the course today. I wouldn't call it technical, but the sand certainly does make for some sketchy cornering. I ate some shit today trying to take the descents a bit too fast. Ok, it's bed time...more later.