2012 Utah State Championship Series - Round Valley

Lap 2 riding in 2nd place.

I took part in more XC racing on my single-speed this weekend at the USCS #2 race at Round Valley near Park City, Utah. The last time I rode these trails was during the 2010 Park City Point 2 Point so It was good to get back up that way. The course was really fun with plenty of singletrack and double-track suitable for passing or getting passed. It's clear I am still sorting out how to race a single-speed or rather how to choose the best gear setup for the race. I went into this one with a vague recollection of the trail so I took some time to look at the elevation profile. I saw a few steep climbs so I chose a 32x19 setup. This turned out to be a little under geared as I found myself spinning out much of the race but handling the climbs really well. I couldn't seem to get into the high RPMs needed to keep up the speed on the flats of which there were more than I was expecting.

Corey in 1st and me in 3rd starting lap1.

The race started out fast with 4 of us grouping together off the front. By the end of the first lap I was in second sitting about 30 seconds back from Corey Larrabee (KUHL) who was the eventual winner. He was riding strong and unlike me appeared to have the timing right on the flats and made it into a few pace lines with the geared riders. I wasn't so lucky and sat out in the wind spinning my guts out trying to tuck the wind.  I kept 1st place in sight most of the race never able to close the gap.  I'd like to think running an 18T in the back might have saved me a little time on the flats but you never know.  I ended up finishing where I rode most of the race in 2nd place.  I'm really happy with that result and hats off to everyone that rode their guts out.  XC racing is awesome!

Cool old car photo.

Fast Friday

We've had some good early morning (6am) group rides going over the past month.  The dominance of Strava on everyone's mind has turned these rides into crack-of-dawn throw-down sessions, and I wouldn't expect anything less from the Utah valley crowd.  I generally ride alone so I've really started looking forward to these weekly social events.  As a creature of habit I've also grown to like this little loop starting at the Pine Hollow trailhead in American Fork Canyon.  I think we've done this 3 weeks in a row now.

An Update: Photos

American Fork Canyon looking at the back side of Timp. 

Broken frame and new frame - Infinite Cycles to the rescue!

Fastest wheelset on the plannet - Thanks' Stan's NoTubes!

New Epic Endurance team clothing.

I put my name on my new bike frame.  Still a Coloradan at heart.

I always believe in promoting good sponsors.  Cannondale and Infinite Cycles are both excellent sponsors. 

AF Canyon Group Ride.  Getting to know the Utah hammers the past few Friday mornings.

Decision time with Rick Sunderledge and Brandon Smith.

The other half of decision time.

The other, other half of decision time with Dave Bagley.

Regroup after the Mill Peak Canyon climb.  DanZ put us in the hurt locker setting a "Gentlemen's Pace" up front.

Running through the mud and standing in line on a perfectly good Saturday (when I should be riding my bike).

This lunch snack rocks.

iCUP

They'll give anyone a ribbon these days.

It didn't take long last Saturday for me to remember why I don't race XC much.  My max HR is around 165, I'm rarely the first guy up the hill, or the fastest out of the gate, it takes me a long time to warm up.

I'm a diesel.

The last time I raced a true XC race was in Winter Park, Colorado in 2010.  I did a number of CU Boulder STXC races last year and had a blast.  Those did hurt but the hurt was short lived at 20-30 min max.  Fortunately for me, I enjoy racing long distances and it is no surprise that I tend to do better in the 50-100 mile range.  With that said, there is nothing more fun than bleeding out your eyes for an hour on twisty singletrack with a hundred other people on a sunny Saturday morning.  Thanks to the Intermountain Cup Racing Series for putting on a great event (my first).  I will be back for more sooner than later.

So what does it look like when you put a diesel in a rally car race?

Time Well Spent

Walking in desert paradise with my boys.  I wish I could tell you where this is but some things are best left to discover on your own.

I spent some quality time this past weekend with two boys that mean the world to me.  It has been amazing how much these little guys have enriched my life in the short time I've had them.  The desert of southern Utah is amazing and it is good to be back within striking distance.  I'm looking forward to many more adventures on and off a bike with these guys.

You can find the rest of the trip photos here on Flickr.