Vq/cc

Discussion in 'Racing and Training' started by sailcalifornia, Mar 1, 2008.

  1. Reedster

    Reedster Active Member

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    That might have been me. I remember seeing someone with cool dyed hair at Beeks and thinking, "I wonder if that's Willie?" Later the same person rode past me while I was stopped and I told her that I liked her cool jersey. I was trying to keep a steady pace but at the same time I wanted to take some pictures and remember the day. Maybe I should have put the camera away and road harder because I didn't make the VQ timecut, but I'm not that bothered. For memory sake I was in blue LaGrange kit on an Orange rigid bike.

    Great ride report and good job. Doing the CC within 15 months of starting to ride is impressive.

    ~R
     
  2. BrewMaster

    BrewMaster Thirsty

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    He needed time to have a beer I suppose. :beer:

    Sorry to hear about the breaj Koke. Way to go strong and finish well.
     
  3. xhuskr

    xhuskr Powered by Guinness

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  4. reflux

    reflux New Member

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    I lost you halfway up MS and couldn't catch up.

    And like I told you Saturday, you were fackin quick on that rigid going down Silverado.
     
  5. aosty

    aosty New Member

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    Anyone else a little sore today? :beer:


    Props to everyone who had the courage to start the event yesterday... and big thanks to WS and all the volunteers for putting on the event!

    My highlights (good and bad)...
    • I had surgery scheduled for December (to remove some hardware from my leg... but that's another story ) and signed up figuring it would be good motivation to get back into shape quickly. With work and life, I didn't ride nearly as much as I had hoped... but would have fun anyway!
    • It was nice getting through Blackstar and Main Divide without eyeing the golf ball or the next steepy from afar. The sun coming in and out of clouds on Main Divide was fabulous. The short descents on Main Divide were trippy without much visibility.
    • "That" twinge in my legs started a bit before Silverado... ack, way too early for cramps to start!
    • Got nicely rattled (full rigid) going down Silverado.
    • Aid #1 - Andy offered me tubes and CO2 at Aid #1, which I politely declined. ;) Drew filled up my Perpetuem bottle at Aid #1... "Dude, wtf did I just get all over my hands?!"
    • Misery up Maple Springs pavement... legs really tightened up and started to cramp here and there but kept moving... couldn't wait for the dirt to start.
    • After the first few bends on the dirt, it finally calmed down enough for me to get into a groove.
    • As soon as the climbing resumed after the short break after Modjeska Peak, both my hamstrings decided to lock up at the same time... I could barely unclip and nearly tipped over. As I stood there, crying and laughing to myself, I figured, what the hell, it was a good time as any for a pee break. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing down from the peak and I had to, uh, re-aim myself towards oncoming riders. Sorry guys! :(:?: :D
    • UHJ - fun! My hands started to hurt again and I had a nice near tumble... had to leap off the bike for a moment.
    • LHJ - fun! But at the first creek crossing, "*sizzle* *burn* owww, what the"... ow! I had branded my leg with my rotor... nice!
    • [​IMG]
    • After Aid #2, my legs would not cooperate and I had to start walking... probably half of Lower Trabuco.
    • I made myself march up West Horse Thief without taking a break or missing a step... the monotonous consistency was, surprisingly, a welcome change from the up/down/up/down/up/down/@*#@$&@*#/up/down of Lower Trabuco.
    • The descent down Trabuco was quite a chattering experience. I said to myself, "Yup, full rigid... definitely checking it off the list... been there, done (doing) that... never again". I saw Co and Ryan at the WHT intersection... stopped for a quick smooch (for Co (Impy) ;), not Ryan).
    • The bumpy road out was never-ending... my arms were already rattled enough and my legs weren't able to sustain the 100000rpm cadence necessary to sustain a reasonable speed... couldn't quite get under the 8 hour mark but more than satisfied!
     
  6. Koke

    Koke New Member

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    I went to an Urgent Care facility the day of the crash but there was a two hour wait so I decided to go early this morning to beat the crowds at the ER.
     
  7. KeepsWhatHappens

    KeepsWhatHappens Warriors Society Member

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    Finish line portrait photos here.
     
  8. Jordansrealm

    Jordansrealm New Member

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    we must have finished editing about the same time lol
     
  9. Roger Rabbit

    Roger Rabbit Member

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    First CC and first post

    Hello everyone,
    What a great day to go for a bike ride!
    Thanks to all at WS for making it all possible, to the members of these forums for disseminating much needed info in order to prepare and to Sherry et al at Switchback Cyclery. I was a weary traveller past closing time on Friday night. The advice about what to wear in the morning and what to expect on the course was spot on and a great comfort on the day. I live in San Diego and had taken my parents to LAX to get a flight home to England. From there to Orange in rush hour, then eat and get to my motel in Santa Margarita.
    CC was unknown territory for me, both literally and figuratively in that I had never ridden so far, so high or in the dark before.
    Initially I had planned to ride my single speed but due to lack of training -blah blah blah- I dusted of the gearie. Spent a lot of money replacing all the bearings in the rear suspension, overhauling the fork, new King headset, tires and new brake pads. I could have bought another SS for that, but it all worked great.
    I started last and enjoyed the climb up Blackstar. For those of you in the lead group you never saw the procession up the mountain that looked like a candle-lit pilgrimage. Beautiful. I saw young Troy half way up with proud Dad in tow. I saw lots of single speeds and hung my head in shame. I enjoyed the views on Main Divide as the sun rose and the fog clung to the slopes. In and out of fog, low visibility and in time, just as Sherry predicted, I was alone with my bike. Bottom of Motorway at 8:10. Up Maple Springs I tried hard to keep focus as I had no one to pace me and no idea how the body would react. Soon I felt a flutter in the left quad and then some minor cramping. Interesting- never experienced that before. I need to learn a lot about electrolytes. I watched elevation gain and distance on my Edge and tried to do the math as to how long I had to go to the top.
    I was amazed that it took me hours to pass a couple of guys who were very much on the large side but were cracking their way up the mountain.
    Loved Upper and Lower HJ. Never seen it before. Downhill, I was creeping up on an obviously talented female rider only because I weighed more and cared less about life and limb. Her skills and graciousness were surpassed only by her beauty and she let me pass on the inside of a switchback. Of course I fell right in front her. Oh the shame! Sorry about that.
    Loved the big ring on the way down Trabucco Creek road. Still all alone but with people yelling much appreciated encouragement. Got passed by a couple of very impressive guys. Tried to match the pace but the crampy left leg refused. Checked the time, 11:25, no idea where the finish was but it had to be close. Might as well try to get in before 11:30. Got my feather and a time of 5:57 (I think).
    The two guys who had passed me were given feather stickers. I asked how I could get one and was told I had to do the VQ for that! That was truly humbling.
    I felt proud to spend the day in such impressive company.
    Slept 11 hours last night and shook off the stiffness this morning on a bike ride with friends at Sycamore Canyon (the San Diego one)
    Goal for next year: either VQ or knock 30 minutes off my time this year.
     
  10. allison

    allison Active Member

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    Most people wouldn't admit it, so if it was you, apology accepted. :)

    This is not directed at you, but to all you guys... I know you are fast and going for time, but some of us are just barely hanging on and trying to survive! Yield the trail! :)
     
  11. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej Well-Known Member

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    We actually had 2 awards that we gave away. Dennis Duty made 2 really nice art pieces and donated them to the WS. These 2 awards were issued to 1 person in each event that had the best/special story. Debbie recieved the award in the VQ while Craig Kokesh recieved the CC award for finishing the final 3rd of the CC with a broken wrist.
     
  12. queenwilhelmina

    queenwilhelmina God Save the Queen

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    If that was you, you also made me laugh when you pointed at the group of guys HABing up Maple Springs and said "look at those weenies, walking their bikes!"
    :lol:
     
  13. Schecky

    Schecky SoCalMTBubbs

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    Awesome RRs you all! Really enjoying them.
    I also had to back out, but I sure am inspired for next year.
    Congrats to you all!

    :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
     
  14. KeepsWhatHappens

    KeepsWhatHappens Warriors Society Member

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    Yep your are right. Most people have no clue how long and how much effort it takes to edit, tweak and post 300+ photos. Great job Jordan! I really want to thank you for taking those finish line photos. You deserve some volunteer hours for that!!!
     
  15. deja vu

    deja vu done dirt cheap!

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    Cool! I'll start a new thread in 'racing and training', look for 'ask the expert'! (sorry but you get the title!)
     
  16. sdyeti

    sdyeti New Member

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    Wow...thank you for the great pictures, John. We really appreciate it :)

     
  17. Reedster

    Reedster Active Member

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    Hmm, I don't remember saying that, so that must have been someone else taking photos. I did some walking, so I doubt I would say that unless I was drawing attention to my own efforts (or lack thereof).

    ~R
     
  18. bajamtnbkr

    bajamtnbkr Banned

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    Wow! I have a lot of respect for a lot of you guys when I read about your weekend fun rides but after reading about the pain and love you guys put in to this event I can't say anything that would come out right, thank you guys.:wave:
     
  19. Sprockethead

    Sprockethead S.T.U.P.I.D.A.S.S. Member

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    Hey, I was one of the guys walking my bike up Maple Springs....and Main Divide and the peak #-o

     
  20. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej Well-Known Member

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    Remember.......they don't call it the "Pain Divide" for nothing. :clap:
     

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