16 July 2008

One complete lap at Sugar!

So, ever since Sugarbottom opened up for the year, there has been no way to get from the North end to the South end without going all the way around the park. Sugar sits right next to the Reservoir and when the endless feet of snow we got this past winter melted, the Reservoir swelled and the extra water flowed through the middle of the park dividing it in 2. Don't get me wrong, it was great to have it open when we did, but months of riding just on the South side got a bit monotonous. But then the flood came and many wondered if Sugar would ever open back up the rest of the year.

It has opened back up again. The first time about a week ago, but there was still no connection between the 2 sides. Over the weekend though the ICORR folks did some serious trail work, putting in new bridges, clearing debris, and taming the overgrowth. What resulted was amazing. Kyle and I went out there last night and did the South side as usual (since we park on the south side) and then we went to explore how far we could go on the north side as usual, but it was different this time. We were able to make it all the way to the start of the north side (having to ride on the trail backwards with 2-way traffic since the access road is still underwater). It was great. It was like a whole new trail. The first black on that side and the really fast green after Rock Slide both had reroutes that we had never tried before. It was freaking wonderful.

Needless-to-say we were extremely happy that Sugar is being reclaimed from the water and maybe someday in the near future we won't even have to ride the trail backwards to get to the start of the north end. We also have our fingers crossed that Troll bridge will spring back to life for us before the end of the year.

14 July 2008

WORS Firecracker and FORC Side Thrill Ride

Chippewa Valley Firecracker in Eau Claire, WI:
As I mentioned in my last post, Kyle and I planned to head up to Wisconsin over the fourth of July weekend for some mountain bike racing. We had a great time and the course was really fun, but I managed to stink things up pretty bad by coming in 7th overall (out of 20 total finishers). My legs just weren't feeling it. I got a pity prize of 15 WORS bucks for getting 3rd in my age group, but there was no excuse for me not to be in the top 5 or really the top 3. I had raced all of those women before, but you live and you learn. Sometimes you are on fire and other times you suck balls and even other times you just need to get on your damn bike more so this kind of thing doesn't happen again.

FORC Side Thrill Ride in Davenport, IA at Sunderbruch Mountain Bike Park:
Just this past Sunday, Kyle and I headed up to D-port with a couple of the shop guys for the 3rd race in the Iowa Mountain Bike Championship Series. We had ridden here about 3 other times, so I was comfortable with the course. This race had a women's open instead of separate women's expert and sport races. We went off with the sport men which as always was a giant cluster. There was no major competition there for me, so I just kinda went with the flow. The first lap was obviously the worst, but I was on my own by the second and ended up catching a few guys (including Kyle ;). Overall, I ended up getting 1st in the women's race (there were only 6 of us) and 14th in the men's sport race (I think there were 35 of them). Poor Kyle took a header into his handlebars on the last lap and banged his head up pretty good, but I think he is going to pull through.

Next up RAGBRAI, which we leave for this Saturday. Riding, drinking, and no sleep...what could be better?

02 July 2008

A Case of the Mon-Graze and Mountain Biking

So, this past Monday, Kyle and I decided to join the shop in their weekly ritual of Mon-Graze. It's a spin-off of a quote from Office Space "Sounds like someone's got a case of the Monday's." We had a great time and again it ended up being just us with Adam and Lauren having too many shots and getting home way too late. I imagine we will do it again in the future, but maybe not get quite as crazy.

Then, on Wednesday, Kyle and I headed to Beverly Park with one of the shop guys and another friend of ours. While that place is no Sugar, it is definitely a good place to go ride after work. It was a nice change from the road bikes, which I am getting a bit sick of riding at this point. I think we may have to plan a weekly trip out there with the shop guys as long as Sugar is closed.

Up next this weekend is a WORS race. Finally, we are going to get back up there and do some racing. I will post with results hopefully early next week. Have a safe and fun 4th of July!