Anybody interested?

I'm going to put this stuff up on ebay soon.

Kent Eriksen ti 26” mtb frame w Rock Shox SID WC XX, Orange KING headset.
$1500

DT Swiss 190 (ceramic) hubs laced to Stan’s 355 rims with black DT Swiss Super Comp spokes
Bontrager XR 2 tires – set up tubeless (includes centerlock adaptors)
$1000 (the hubs alone retail for $800)

Edge handlebar- cut to about 22"
$65

Edge 90mm stem w white faceplate
$140

Eriksen ti sweetpost 27.2 w setback (I believe 360mm, but will measure).
$100

Or I'll sell the bike complete with full XX for $2800.

Race Blogging

For some reason I had been really looking forward to the Illinois race this past Sunday. The race was held at Black Partridge Park in Metamora, IL. Being able to ride trails has been pretty intermittent this Spring, so I think a race held rain or shine gave me an excuse to get out there and ride my bike in the dirt regardless of weather.

On the way to the race I was almost a bit ho-hum compared to how I felt earlier in the week. Maybe it was nerves, I don’t know. The forecast wasn’t calling for rain, so I was stoked about that. However there was some rainfall at the course that morning. I was a bit nervous about my tire choice. I really think I dislike the Bontrager 29.2. The side knobs fill with mud and don’t clear, which then have absolutely NO traction in turns dry or wet. They are advertised as a loose over hard pack tire, so I guess the wet isn’t what they were made for, so I shouldn’t hate.

Anyway…

The Cat 1 women were initially supposed to do 3 laps of the 8 mile mostly singletrack course (same as the cat 1 men)… which meant I’d probably be out there for well over 2 hours. I was looking forward to the fun miles, but at the same time not really looking forward to it considering how hot and muggy it was. Not to mention it wasn’t dry, so lap times would be slower than last year. Which, yeah, get over it… but coming from 50s to 80s and humid is a bit rough on the body. Anyway, a couple of the girls petitioned the race director and we were cut down to 2 laps. I had mixed feelings, but it was going to be fun regardless. I unzipped my Metal jersey, so I wouldn’t be fumbling with the zipper in the singletrack, and lined up behind the men.

Us Cat 1 gals actually started in the pack with the Cat 1 men. I was a bit apprehensive about this at first, but it worked out pretty well actually. I was first woman behind all the guys. It was a fairly short lead out on the grass which then dropped us right into some downhill benchcut singletrack. Way awesome trail. The Cat 1 dude right in front of me was going a bit slow for my liking but it was difficult to get around him with all the creek crossings and bridges. Eventually I was able to sneak by him on a rooty climb. One creek crossing was very steep. It was like a wall to get out. The guy in front of me didn’t make it and I had to slide back down. I panicked trying to get up. It was so muddy and slick I couldn’t get a foot hold. I was just waiting for the women to come barreling down on me while I tried to get out of there. Finally I made it up the first of three switchback climb sections completely redlined and breathing hard feeling like my head was going to explode.

It took me a long time to settle, almost the whole first lap. With having asthma, the humidity and the fact I wanted to ride fast was causing me some breathing problems. I had to keep talking myself down; I felt like I was hyper-ventilating. Breathe Rachael, breathe. Finally I was able to settle down and enjoy the rad singletrack. And rad it was. Super tight, tons of log crossings. I felt like a Jedi floating between trees and dipping into little g-outs. I did end up at one point sliding out on a bridge (plank really) and hugging a tree, but I don’t think I’ve ever come away from a race completely unscathed.

Before I knew it the first lap was over. That ride on the grass was the hardest part of the race… I was pushing my gears so hard, but felt like I was going nowhere.

Second lap had me looking over my shoulder a lot. Betsy usually beats me when I race with her, usually after catching me after I’ve led most of the first lap. I could hear the sport guys coming on some occasions and feared Betsy, or another Cat 1 gal, was with them. I just kept pushing. Lungs settled, legs were good, I felt great all around. I was dreading that steep creek crossing, but not having anybody in front of me I floated right up it. What a relief! I was a bit more confident knowing the trails, not to mention they had dried out some, so weren’t as slick in the corners. It started to get pretty dark in the singletrack as it appeared a storm was rolling in; I almost had to take off my glasses. All I could think about at that point was how slick it was going to get if the clouds let loose. It started to rain just as I was exiting out of the singletrack on my last lap for the finish.

My first win in a very long time, and maybe my first one as a Cat 1. I was pretty stoked.

Iola 04.01.11

Driving up to Iola I was sort of bumming... I knew it was going to be close to 70 degrees at home and Iola was calling for rain and cold. And having read that they had snow up there just a bit ago had me nervous for conditions. I knew I couldn't ride at home regardless and the thought of missing Iola for another venue just didn't appeal to me, so it was the best of all my options.

Getting out of the car to pre-ride the wind was coming hard but it wasn't raining. About 15 minutes after we arrived the wind totally died down. It was weird. I ended up starting the pre-ride in arm warmers and undershirt but promptly ditched them soon after entering the course. The trails were perfect and the climbs didn't seem to be as bad as I remembered (though they never really do on pre-ride).

My first lap I didn't feel like me. Just wasn't confident tossing the bike around, the second lap was much better I felt the "rail" come back.

We packed up and headed to our hotel. Pretty boring really.

Morning wake up had us not rushing as Ryan races the Cat 1 Junior category now. Though the thought of sitting at the hotel for hours before the start didn't sound appealing so we headed to the venue.

BRRR!!!!

Wow, was it cold! I ended up in 3 layers and a beanie with gloves just to walk around. I was sort of stressing about what to wear to race, always remembering that no matter how it felt outside of the woods, inside the woods always seemed 10 degrees warmer with only a few sections of dealing with the wind.

I ended up in arm warmers, jersey and shorts with wool socks. I lined up next to people wearing thermal jersey, tights with shorts, knickers, headbands and double layers. YIKES... I would have died of heat exhaustion! My head would have exploded on the first lap!

Don said Gooo... and we're off. I've never been a good starter. However I was surprised that the field wasn't completely gone as we got to the top. I hate the first lap as I'm sure most other people do as well. I went back and forth with a couple girls and then sort of settled into a spot until the first singletrack I passed a couple girls in there. I was actually surprised that I was able to power past up on what was definitely not the better line. It felt sort of good.

For the most part my race was uneventful. I passed a girl or two, a girl or two passed me. Tons of comps came by. I didn't have a problem with any of them. They all called their passes and weren't stupid about it. Iola is almost a perfect race course actually.

I still suck at eating. I totally forgot how quick one of the sections of singletrack came up so I ended up riding it with an unopened gel in my mouth. Finally ripped it open, sucked it down and stuffed it into my back pocket with all my unopened gels. So of course on my next lap that's the gel I grabbed thinking I'd be ahead of the game, I put it in my spandex on my thigh. EW. Gross. It wasn't so bad that it was all over my thigh, but when I grabbed it from my shorts, the gel was all over my glove... which then was all over my grip, lever and shifter. Ugh. There were times I actually had to pull my hand off the grip hard to grab the lever. I ended up sucking on my gloves where the gel was to help out with this a bit. So I had to get that mostly eaten gel into another pocket and grab an uneaten one out. *shakes head

Before I forget, I was so thankful for Jeff doing bottle hand ups. I go through a lot of water and not having to carry it on myself or bike is such a relief!

I actually felt pretty damn good on my 2nd and 3rd lap. I completely surprised myself. Going into the 4th lap right at the top of the start climb my legs started to fuss. It was the first time it was actually painful and hard to push them to go. I felt like they were pretty heavy. I actually didn't hate the start climb or the big climb in the back as much as past years. I really HATED the 3rd climb after coming out of the bowl. After you make that swooping left, ugh. I just felt my legs hate me. But I so love when you shoot back down into the bowl and right back up! So frickin' cool! I was hurtin' on that last lap but I was nowhere near being completely done and in survival mode like I am on my last lap at most WORS races. My legs still climbed and I was still pretty fresh in the singletrack handling wise, just wasn't poppy or fast.

Much better than last year's DNF, that's for sure. It's also the first year, I think ever, that I've raced Iola either not sick or coming off of being sick.

I ended up 11th overall/9th Cat 1. 4th age but 2nd age podium (I think) with the overalls taken out. I'm bummed I missed my podium opportunity. Those don't happen very often for me in Elite WORS (only once).



And how about the Twin Six Metal kits... so awesome!

whoa

I have no idea what possessed me to actually update this blog.
Probably weather depression. My blog is filled with pissy posts about the weather so what's one more? I know that it won't be cold and rainy forever, but still...
Reading my last few posts the Superfly is gone; it'll be replaced by a Form shortly. I suppose I should be sure all of the parts we need are in. I need to make a list. I'm going to sell the Eriksen. I stopped racing cross. Once the weather turned to shit I hung it up. No regrets. I found that I enjoyed hanging out with the crowds and watching John. He raced right after me so I'd miss everything. I'm just not a competition person I guess. I think I like mountain bike racing because for the most part it just seems like a hard mountain bike ride with other people. With cross it seemed like the prep was longer than the race. Just wasn't for me.
The girls are good. Casey started tumbling, Zoe will be starting dance. Everything is so expensive. I can't believe Casey is 9. She is so unbelievably smart and creative. Zoe is 4 going on 15. She loves to sing, dance and be a drama princess. We finally got a trail-a-bike so hopefully we'll have some family rides (when the weather finally warms up).

I can't believe Iola is less than two weeks away. It's going to hurt.

Superfly for super sale

John's getting rid of the Superfly.
It's in Gatto condition- however there is a scratch on the toptube from his handlebar (rookie).

Gary Fisher carbon 29er hardtail frame- med, 17.5"
RockShox Reba XX 29er fork- white
240 DT Swiss wheels- hubs are very lightly used, rims are still in the plastic- they were just rebuilt to Stan's rims.
pics are of the 190 wheelset that are being kept.
SRAM XX triggers
SRAM XX rear derailleur
SRAM XX front derailleur
SRAM XX disc brakes
SRAM XX 175mm 42/29 carbon crank.
Truvativ World Cup stem 100mm
Truvativ World Cup handlebar, carbon, flat
Cane Creek headset
Bontrager carbon ACC seatpost
Bontrager ti saddle
991 chain
1099 11-36 cassette
ESI chunky lava grips
No pedals.





$2700 complete or $1500 frame and fork.
If you want more pics or are interested email me if you'd like spicyride at gmail dot com.

blogging

Someone asked me to update my blog or why don't I?
I don't know why. Time?
I always think to myself I should update it more. Even if a pic or two here and there. It always seems like at this point it overlaps with facebook.
I know I love to go look months and even years back to look at the photos and see what I had to say. I think I'll miss that.



No resolution or anything, but maybe I'll try and update more. Not for anybody else though, for me. Which is who this blog has always been for anyway.

Cross and things

It's been awhile since I've updated.
Not much going on really.
I've raced cross 3 times, and although it's fun, it's yet to hit me as the best thing ever.
I long for roots, drops and twisty singletrack. However I do enjoy it for a good work out and hanging out with people.
I upgraded to a Cat 3 knowing I'd get my ass beat, but at the same time I didn't feel right racing the 4s, especially since the category was filling up so quickly. I guess I just felt that the women that were being kept out of the race, were true 4s. I don't really notice or feel much difference in the extra 15 minutes. The only thing that's changed really is instead of finishing in the top 10 I'm near last. I'm pretty used to that. John's been doing very well. Podiums for the most part every race. He won the 30+ this weekend and then took 4th in the 1,2,3. So good on him.
I sold my road bike. The Eriksen is still safe... for now. However, I did wake up one night in a cold sweat having thought I sold it. Perhaps that was a sign saying DON'T DO IT.
Halloween is coming. I have two costume ideas. Casey will be Hermione from Harry Potter and Zoe is Ariel from The Little Mermaid. I still have to pick up a few things which is sort of annoying as I just want to have it done. Hopefully tonight.
This weekend we'll be racing Campton on Sunday, not sure of Halloween Cross in WI. Just a lot of driving and a lot of cash.
So much to do at home. I'm starting to get a bit stressed out at how unorganized the house is right now. It's starting to get old.
I don't know when I'll be on my mountain bike next. Hopefully before the weekend.

Last one.

I love Sheboygan.
I don't know what makes it so special. I think it's the crowds of people everywhere on a super fun course. It has a little bit of everything- roots, big fucking roots, log overs, a log drop, wooden bridges, a quarry, twisty singletrack, pines, river edge singletrack, steep leg cramp climbing, a creek crossing... There isn't a place on that course that I do not look forward to. It's all good.
I haven't done a WORS race since the beginning of July. I knew it was going to be tough if only because I haven't raced or ridden that intense in quite some time. Sure I did other races, but nothing compares to the competition of a WORS race.
My first lap was fun, going back n forth with a couple of ladies. Second lap I was still feeling good... I was starting to relax and get into a rhythem. Third lap I took another gel and my stomach cramped shortly after. I think I took it too soon not thinking that the laps at Sheboygan are pretty short. I knew right away after I took it that I wasn't going to feel well so I willed it away. Luckily it didn't get too bad.

WORS #12 ©WORS Danny Marchewka

My legs still felt great through my 3rd lap. I don't know exactly where it was, but
on the 3rd lap I did something to my back. I thought maybe it was just tense from all the roots and having too much air pressure in the back tire. But it didn't exactly feel like that and still today, my back hurts. I don't even want to ride my mountain bike. The thought of it causes me to tense up. It's just this one spot by my back rib.
Anyway, Sheboygan is pretty rooty so it was pretty intense at times, I could barely hold onto the bar, so I slowed down quite a bit. At first I was pissed off. But then, I was like, whatever. It wasn't like I'd be missing out on anything if I could pedal faster. So I just dealt with it. Weird for me, though, to actually look forward to climbing...
I guess it was kind of a bummer if only because I'd like to see how I would've finished without that issue as my legs were totally fine. But I'm sure there were other racers that day with their own problems as well.
In the end I had a blast and that's what it's all about. I still look back on it and smile.

I'm hoping to get an epic mountain bike ride in this weekend. We'll see. I'm not one for making plans. I either change my mind, or get disappointed if what I wanted to do doesn't work out.

John, me and the mesa

So I did make it out to the mesa yesterday. Much later than I thought though.
John ended up riding with me. I felt sort of off. I wrote it off to not having been on a mountain bike in awhile, that time and just tiredness in general. I also need brake pads dearly.



There's a new bridge out there on the middle finger. I wussed. John even offered to spot me and I still wussed. I don't know what my deal was, but that sucker is mine when I'm out there next... I think.

Anyway, it was a short ride. I didn't ask my mom to watch the kids so we were pushing it time wise. Good thing too as the skies looked pretty angry as we rode home.

Today I went to work for what I hoped to be a half day. Turned out being a full day. I was hoping for a light week since every body is in Vegas, however it's been turning out to be the busiest week in recent memory.

We interrupt this mountain bike season

to bring you cross.
Yep, that's right. Hell froze over. I raced my 2nd ever cross race.
I had a good time. I was on a bike, how could I not?
52 women started with me on Sunday. I finished 10th.

above image stolen from ©Edmund White

I'm ditching work here in a few to go for a mountain bike ride. It's been awhile.

obligatory

unorganized

I left my laptop at work Wednesday night; so after Casey went to school Zoe and I headed out to go get it.



Zoe wanted to stay for a bit so I was able to get some work done there... which isn't that interesting in itself, however we were there long enough for the UPS dude to have dropped off some goods for me.

My day was just so off. Not having my laptop, then being at work, then a conference call. It doesn't seem like a big deal but I was thrown off and had a hard time getting into a groove.

I ended up riding for a short time when John got home. Sucks that it gets dark so fast. At least I had something to look forward to when I got home.



My Ultimate Shorties and tires come in tomorrow. 17.01 lbs with Rival and WTB 38 tires.

it's still today... barely.

YES!

OH, HAI THERE RAGWEED. It's been awhile.

My cold is dwindling only to be replaced by allergies.
I hate allergies.

I want to ride my bike kickass tomorrow on singletrack, so please cold and allergies, not to be rude, but seriously GTFO.

New frame coming on Wed (*crosses fingers, no pun intended). I think all I need is a crank and front derailleur. I should make a list. I love lists.

Here's an awesome picture.

Friday Night.

The long *ss weekend

Heading out Friday night I thought for sure the mesa would be wet. I half-heartedly headed out on the paved path. When I came up to the steel bridge I noticed how dry the singletrack was. It meant one thing, the mesa is dry. I'll admit to being very surprised at how great conditions were. Not one wet spot. Perfect actually.
On my way back home from my ride my phone rang. It was Ben Popper. He and a few others wanted to give the mesa a shot Saturday morning if I was up for being a tour guide.
HELL YES.
When I got home I called my mom up right away and asked if she wouldn't mind watching the girls. Being the good sport she is, she agreed.
Mike, Ben, Brandon, Dave, Al, Paolo, John and I headed out around 8am. It's been a long time since I've been chilled on a bike ride. Once we got into the woods, it ended up being perfect. Well until Dave had a chainring mishap on the first hill... John ended up towing him back to our house and gave him th3ocon's bike.
It was a good ride. I don't think I've ever ridden Sublime that fast the second time around. I'm sure John's challenge had a bit to do with it...
Sunday we headed up to the Klugs. John and Kevin headed out to the Kettles while Holly and I gossiped while hiking and hanging out with the girls. When John and Kevin came back, Holly and I headed out to Emma. We rode Emma and the connector. It was my first time on Emma since they re-did the trails, I approve big time. I think it may actually be one of my favorite sections. However I think the connector on the way out from Emma still rates pretty darn high. Another good ride. When we were done it was brats and frog hunting.
Monday I headed out to Palos to participate in the women's only Half Acre ride. There were about 14 of us, I think. We ended up in groups. It turned out to be another great day on the bike. Fabulous weather, good company, fun trails, we saw a dude endo spectacularly on dynamite road and then a dude puking on three ravines. Nice.
My weekend ended with a beautiful breeze coming through the doors while I sat on the couch drinking a beer watching Phineas and Ferb. Awesome.
This coming weekend has a lot to live up to. It's at a disadvantage already seeing as it'll be a day short. I am however looking forward to seeing some WORS peeps. Last time was Eau Claire, I think.

Today...

Meet Fucker Log

aka Rachael's log. It was named after me because the first time I went over it I almost broke my neck. I crashed off it and knocked myself unconscious. 4 years later I rode it again, successfully, many times.





I am never riding this again as most of you know, because I crashed going the other way a couple weeks ago. Fucker.
I'm bitter about it.

No, I didn't try it again, but clearly you can see I'm not over it.

It's weird looking at it, you may not think much of it. It's a veritable beast, however.
You may ride it once and be like this isn't hard at all, and then 10 times after, but one day... it will get you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

My Form part 1

I was never a hater of 29ers. When they first surfaced, I initially thought "they weren't for me, but for big dudes." Slowly my thought processes changed.
The color purple became one of my favorites, so of course I had to have a Rig.
I remember my first ride on it. I was cruising down Ridgeland on my way to the Mesa and right away I was like "holy shit, I can't believe how much momentum I'm keeping!" I was stoked.
I rode the Mesa. I remember braking hard into turns because I was cruising so fast into them... but unfortunately also because I had to turn that thing. As cool as it was I felt like I was driving a bus on some of the trails.
As much as I liked the Rig, I wanted something custom. I got the Waltworks shortly after. Singlespeed and rigid. It wasn't suspension corrected so it steered like a dream. It was almost too quick for me. As much fun as singlespeeding can be, and rigid... it just wasn't for me every ride.
Fisher came out with the Ferrous. I thought about that blue almost daily. The bow seatstays were beautiful. The simplicity and small little details made it the frame I had to have. With a little help from some creepy guy I was able to get my hands on one.
I loved that bike. I rode it rigid for awhile. It steered in the singletrack much better than my Rig. The Ferrous, IMO, was one of the coolest production bikes ever built. I still see the one I used to own and almost have regrets. Almost.
As much as I loved the Ferrous it was a pig. 5.5 pounds for a hardtail frame... ouch.
I wanted something light. I wanted to race a 29er. I was lucky to get a Superfly frame only and built it up rather quickly.
Right away I noticed it climbed like a goat. However I HATED how it rode in singletrack. It took me weeks to adapt to it. I didn't like it. I don't know what it was? 69 degree head angle?
I ultimately bought the Superfly to see if I dug a lightweight 29er and I'd eventually go custom.
John and I went on vacation to visit Zach and Sara a few months ago and we met Daryl from Form. After talking to him I pretty much knew he'd be building my next frame.
How cool is it to have personally met and ride with the guy designing your frame???
It's fucking cool.

I'd continue on about getting my Form... but I think I'm lucky if you stayed with me this far. Part 2 will happen at some point.