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.