Apparently I Can't Have Nice Things
I don't ask for much. A couple of fun ways to get around That's it. Some beer.
Wolf, our VW Golf TDI, the best car we ever had, has been recalled by VW.
Poor guy is now sitting in Casper WY covered in deer blood and organs, not fixed from hitting a baby deer because there was no point to fixing him. Damage didn't affect buy back price.
Would have preferred to keep him. Miss him.
Shrek, my Trek Farley fatbike, has also been recalled. Apparently, the fork and handlebar can come out of alignment, and it's definitely something I've experienced.
So... .. ... anybody for a beer?
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Friday, December 2, 2016
Thursday, December 1, 2016
York 76 Report
York 76: One of Those
Best Races You've Never Heard About
This race couldn't have come at a worse time for me, but it's a great race, and once things come back together for me, this is a race I will for sure revisit.
York is a great little town. It's like one of those borderline MT backwoods ghost towns. It's in some great mountains, in a cool spot outside of Helena. The Big Belt (&Little Belt for that matter) mountains are often overlooked for sexier neighbors, but when you're there, you always wonder why you don't go back more. They're just really beautiful, wild, remote, and yet accessible. Great mountains.
Driving in and camping was easy.
The depart is super chill. You can leave later if you want, and your time will be reflected as such. This is a really cool idea that more races should embrace. It eases bottlenecks, makes starting, finishing, and even racing easier. You can start alone, or with friends, or whatever, and there is no penalty. The only downside is it makes the finish line somewhat less appealing, because it's less clearcut who is coming in at exactly what time. But at a remote endurance race, this isn't an issue. Spectators are there for friends or family usually. I really dig this idea.
So, right out of the gate, I was alone. It was great. Steep uphill to start. Great county roads. Stunning views. Friendly local drivers. Long climb, followed by a rowdy descent, including a couple miles of rocky jeep roads, and a couple miles of moderately technical ST. They advertise this as a cyclocross race, and I did it on my gravel bike, but if I was to do it again, i'd go MTB. the descents are really fun, and I wish I had more bike for them. To win or go for the win, I'd go skinny 29er or wide gravel bike, but to have fun, I'd go MTB.
On the way down from the first lap I had a flat. Then I broke my pedal cleat. Had to finish the last 5 miles one footed. Speedplay Zero pedals have zero platform if you're not plugged in. That's when another good feature of this race kicks in. If you're doing the 76, as opposed to the 38, you get to clock out in between laps. I didn't even know at the time; I found out later. But it's effing awesome. Such a cool idea.
Unaware of that policy, I was gonna take my time anyway. I had to replace my pedals, ate a nice lunch, etc.
Took off for a second lap, and I was in last place. The sweep ATV followed me for the 20 mile uphill. That sucked a bit, becasue I would have taken my time more. I was embarassed to stop and pee even, because this nice lady was following right behind me!
Finally got to the nice jeep downhill. Flatted. Of course. Took my time. Really enjoyed the downhill. Powered into town.
Found out that far from finishing last, in between my huge lunch break and my late start, I was actually more towards mid pack! Stoked! Had a huge burger on the house. Enjoyed some beers, and went to a cool cove overlooking Canyon Ferry Lake for a well-earned power nap.
One of the best racing days of my life.
Do the York 76 now. You'll thank me.
Best Races You've Never Heard About
This race couldn't have come at a worse time for me, but it's a great race, and once things come back together for me, this is a race I will for sure revisit.
York is a great little town. It's like one of those borderline MT backwoods ghost towns. It's in some great mountains, in a cool spot outside of Helena. The Big Belt (&Little Belt for that matter) mountains are often overlooked for sexier neighbors, but when you're there, you always wonder why you don't go back more. They're just really beautiful, wild, remote, and yet accessible. Great mountains.
Driving in and camping was easy.
The depart is super chill. You can leave later if you want, and your time will be reflected as such. This is a really cool idea that more races should embrace. It eases bottlenecks, makes starting, finishing, and even racing easier. You can start alone, or with friends, or whatever, and there is no penalty. The only downside is it makes the finish line somewhat less appealing, because it's less clearcut who is coming in at exactly what time. But at a remote endurance race, this isn't an issue. Spectators are there for friends or family usually. I really dig this idea.
So, right out of the gate, I was alone. It was great. Steep uphill to start. Great county roads. Stunning views. Friendly local drivers. Long climb, followed by a rowdy descent, including a couple miles of rocky jeep roads, and a couple miles of moderately technical ST. They advertise this as a cyclocross race, and I did it on my gravel bike, but if I was to do it again, i'd go MTB. the descents are really fun, and I wish I had more bike for them. To win or go for the win, I'd go skinny 29er or wide gravel bike, but to have fun, I'd go MTB.
On the way down from the first lap I had a flat. Then I broke my pedal cleat. Had to finish the last 5 miles one footed. Speedplay Zero pedals have zero platform if you're not plugged in. That's when another good feature of this race kicks in. If you're doing the 76, as opposed to the 38, you get to clock out in between laps. I didn't even know at the time; I found out later. But it's effing awesome. Such a cool idea.
Unaware of that policy, I was gonna take my time anyway. I had to replace my pedals, ate a nice lunch, etc.
Took off for a second lap, and I was in last place. The sweep ATV followed me for the 20 mile uphill. That sucked a bit, becasue I would have taken my time more. I was embarassed to stop and pee even, because this nice lady was following right behind me!
Finally got to the nice jeep downhill. Flatted. Of course. Took my time. Really enjoyed the downhill. Powered into town.
Found out that far from finishing last, in between my huge lunch break and my late start, I was actually more towards mid pack! Stoked! Had a huge burger on the house. Enjoyed some beers, and went to a cool cove overlooking Canyon Ferry Lake for a well-earned power nap.
One of the best racing days of my life.
Do the York 76 now. You'll thank me.