weekend update

2011_0227_ride, originally uploaded by solo_goat.

weather turned above 50 for the first in forever here in ohio, nice to get out and get some hours in without having to wear winter mittens.

bike is back from tucson, bottom bracket and pedals need cleaned up and re-lubed, and my rear derailleur pulleys are shot once more. can't figure out how i can go through 3 xtr shimano pulleys in a season and a half when my sram x9 has been running the same pulleys for the same period of time and i have a ton more hours on them. oh, wait - maybe it's because they sell $60 retail replacements? ah.. genius...

next race coming up soon, hoping to have at least one bike with my new SRAM 2x10 setup done. resting up this coming weekend, then it's off to the races again. looking forward to riding some trails again.

time for bike work -

sologoat out

Race Report: 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo

2011_OldPueblo_(96), originally uploaded by solo_goat.

is now posted up at the Speedgoat.com blog.

check it out here

and - just to clarify, i did the second lap. the timers scored it incorrectly to brian.

sologoat out

duo victory at old pueblo

2011_OldPueblo_(94), originally uploaded by solo_goat.

repeat victory for myself and fellow pivot sponsored rider brian bennett.

full write up coming (hopefully) later tonight, at the latest by tomorrow.

stay tuned!

sologoat out

last post before race day

Last write up before the race, full race report write up next write up early next week.

One last lap on the course today after duo teammate Brian Bennett rolled into the race venue. Mucho thanks goes out to Brian for bringing a ton of supplies out. Most important is a tent, a coffee maker and 3 different propane based heaters.

Brian is a fellow Pivot sponsored rider and he'll be rocking out on a new Mach 5 with XTR brakes and 2x10 cranks but has SRAM shifting all around. Very nice and light setup topped out with some very nice Easton Monkey Light bars and EA90 seatpost.

I'll be sporting one of my 429's with Continental Race Kings and a new complete Stan's Wheelset running their 3.30 hubs. Magura brakes and Jagwire pads will be doing the stopping, Jaqwire cables doing the shifting.

Lap times are coming down every lap for me, today I turned out my fastest lap ever on the course. With Brian being fit from some early season races, things are looking good for this weekend.

Rain going to hit on Saturday, but blow out fast. Here's to hoping it goes out as quick as it comes in and it leaves the course super tacky and fast.

That's it - wish us good legs and fast laps.

sologoat out

thursday from old pueblo

Thursday started in somewhat of an overcast day in the mid 60's, by the time I finished up the day it was around 75 degrees as tons of riders were coming in. Compared to last year, seems like camping spots are filling up fast.

Not sure of how the field of duo's (or the rest of the classes) are looking as most of the riders are west coast riders that I do not see that often but I would take a guess that local yocal DJ from Niner will be here along with a few of the Stan's No Tubes riders as well.

Some tidbits of info on the course. It's roughly 16.1 miles (16.3 miles if you take the cutoff for the "hilly" section known as the "Bitches"), starts at about 3200 feet of elevation and has no major sustained climbs. Probably the most single speed friendly 24 hour course I have ever raced on.

It's a good mix of fire roads, single and double track with some rollers and a nice little longer climb at the end. It's mostly all hard packed sand with some loose grit around the edges. Miscalculate a corner at speed and without doubt you will some kind of cactus. And belive me, they freaking hurt. Last year I was run into 3 different types of cacti by a rider that panicked and crashed us both. The medical unit back at the venue must of pulled about 200+ needles out of me. In the morning light after the race, they pulled out about another 30 or so. And in the weeks afterward, about 20 more came to surface as little reminders of my encounter.

Looking like some chances of rain over the weekend, so I beg of all you in the blogosphere out there to cross their fingers for me. One more post before the race - stay tuned!

sologoat out

post from old pueblo

2011_OldPueblo_(23), originally uploaded by solo_goat.

ok, sorry for the lack of posts lately - you see, i have a 24 hour race to train for...

next up, 24 hours of old pueblo. racing duo again with brian bennett, should be good times.

got into town a few days ago, course is dry as can be and is the same course as last year with one exception...

there's an escape route that lets you pass the famous "the bitches" section. the route is tons flatter in comparison and is just a tad longer. specifics on which route is faster will be held close to my heart until after race day.

45 pics up my flickr account, check it out if you have a second:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/solo_goat/sets/72157626071665112/

more up tomorrow, time to rest.

sologoat out

weekend update

2011_0205_ride, originally uploaded by solo_goat.

well suffice to say, whatever type of salt that ohio uses on their roads really brings a burning sensation to the skin. 4+ hours today on the bike, headed north, turned south and ran into a snowstorm. epic day, but i was able to keep the tempo up and body core warm. felt like i am rolling good and i'll need it in a few weeks.

racing duo again at old peublo with Brian Bennett.

the pivot guys will be out too so it will be good times and warmer weather, something i am looking forward too. hell, duo 24 hours is going to seem like heaven compared to my 4 hour weekend roller sessions.

so, time to clean up and eat and start getting a bike ready for the trip out west. looking forward to the start of the season.

sologoat out