Not totally giving in yet

So, Mountain bike racing is still on the mind but it's not there in a good way. Work has not given me much ability to get racing in. My shop is really busy so I don't get to take to many weekends off. This week is and was a hard training week in an attempt to do something I have been excited about for a while, race well at the Pro XCT. The next day will see me more then likely driving back to Minnesota to race in mankato so that I don't get much farther behind in the series. The weekend will be tough. After that can't say when I will be able to race again. Maybe Redwing?
As of right now that is the focus for the short term but Long term I'm gearing up for Cyclocross. I will be starting the season in cat. 4 so a quick move up to cat. 3 is what I hope to do, and maybe a shot at a national title in cat. 3. Wishful thinking!

Now I just need to get my bike!

Afton

Tough course to say the least... 23rd overall, 6Th in my age group. I was somewhere in the 10Th to 15Th area when for about half the race then a lack of food and training caused a major bonk.

I'm hoping to get to the next race but it could be hard with work.

29v26

So, after last nights buckhill event placing somewhere in the 10-15th spot. I find myself thinking about bikes and tire size this morning. My bike in full layout started as the 2010 Specialized expert carbon 29er. Since then I have changed the Xt crank to a S-works double (26/42), bars are now the s-works flat bars, and the rear wheel for races is a Notubes 355/AC disc/ laced w/ Dt revolutions. The bike weights in at just under 23 lbs. The bike is amazing. So fast and easy to climb with, but climbing has never been a problem for me. My slow places on all courses are in the single track and on the start. Funny because they are place's that require a quick exiting speed which I have the ablity to do with the high cadance I try to stay at. At this point in my racing and given my size (somewhere around 160-162) with my full kit on. I find that having a great bike is not giving me the edge I need to further my racing acheviments. I know training diffrently and eatting better will help but I can't help but wonder if a bike like the Epic would be better suited for my short comings in handling and starting. I by know means will blame the bike for my lack of acheviment, but is there a better all around bike for me out there or am I just stuck in this 29er movement that has consumed so many. I would love to have an Epic and my current setup but that is by far not a possiblity. For now it will be as is and I will need to focus more on my starts and riding single track. For now it will be looking into some heavy training wheels and I mean heavy. Thoughts?

Beautiful day's the last two have been. Rode Murphy for 20 miles in the morning, and a nice paced 40 on the road bike. Some rode and mountain combo going on this afternoon as I head to worth and then to work for the night.

I'm looking to pick up another set of race wheels for the season. Something in the 1550 gram area. I will post what I decide on when I finaily pull the trigger.

Thursday is another night at buck, and a little party going down at my residence on Saturday. No racing this weekend. WORK.

Buckhill Series

So, I made it out to the first mountain bike race of the season at buckhill. A fun race to say the least. Results show me in 7Th, but they are not correct. I should be around 8Th or 9Th which I'm OK with. I got a bad starting position which will change next week, so I'm looking to not get gaped in the first half mile of racing. After that it will be just chasing Brandon Moore, Sam Oftedahl, and a couple of others. Great training. On a good note I'm only working around 40 hours next week. Amazing!

Peace!

P.S. Post will be more frequent now that the season has started.

Duran RR

Did the Duran RR today. I'm behind with training. The test was today and what I had thought was correct, but that will change. No Idea now I ended up but I bonked bad and rode hard which was like one of the first times this year. not much more to say...maybe the next post will be sooner then the last time I posted.

BroomBall...

Had a good weekend in Amery playing some BroomBall. To much fun

43K B-State

13th overall on the day. Not to bad for my 3rd ski race ever. I just hope those good things transfer over to the bike season.

I also picked up some goodies that have been waiting for me for a few weeks.

Badger State

Well, we will see what Saturday brings for me. 43K Freestyle at 9-mile. 3rd ski race of my life...my hope better then 14 that's what I walked away with last year.

For Sale

2010 Gary Fisher Paragon. Frame has never been rode. Parts are a older but not much. I don't have a great idea on hours. The bike is basically spec'd as Gary Fisher has it. I have gripshift (X9) on it, Crankbrother pedals, a few tires to go with it.

On-one Sl 29er fork, 1800 grams. Nice fork for some one with a Gary fisher G2 Off-set frame. This has an off-set of 47mm which is the closest to the G2 off-set available to the market that is not carbon or custom.

2008 Bontrager Race x-lites. Mainly used as a race day only wheelset, so there is a ton of life left and there just good quality wheels. I can take more pics if you would like them.

Each item is negotiable so don't be shy and get a hold of me with what you are thinking for price. jakebegs@gmail.com

A New Year but No new Bike...Yet

December came and went. I didn't have much to say anyways. A little over 33 hours of exercise (trainer, mountain bike, skiing, hockey, running)in December and a goal set of around 46.5 hours for January. I feel that should get me ready of the early season rides that will be coming soon.

Still looking to get my hands on my bike for next year. I have a really hard time making decisions when it comes to bikes. I like the 29er but I don't have a dislike for 26er. Either way I will be as fast as I can be on that given day. So it comes down to how well I can sustain the ups and downs of the season, and which bike I feel most comfortable on. I'm not a tall guy but I'm not the lightest person in the world so the 29er is fast for me but the 26 would be lighter and more nimble which would be a big benefit in the singletrack which I feel, among other things, is a weak point in my riding. Ok enough of my thoughts for the day...time for some tea.