tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23069880896252516522024-03-12T21:37:20.290-07:00Cogs and DogsBrad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-64957163846164584652012-05-17T23:38:00.000-07:002012-05-17T23:38:45.001-07:00What is Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjH9YXoqeaYsoJI9ONQ3F2N2a2whyTurmTQgA7bO7y98Sp_4d6gfByILj3O0ccD-UbpHIqfLWuCvy6YFzjjXNR3jOyzOjP6hNhtCOPpWRrjpigvni0xZBIF5xot8_AIR2WQn6SRXmMVix/s1600/412608_3473903682857_1129136262_33327798_980165438_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjH9YXoqeaYsoJI9ONQ3F2N2a2whyTurmTQgA7bO7y98Sp_4d6gfByILj3O0ccD-UbpHIqfLWuCvy6YFzjjXNR3jOyzOjP6hNhtCOPpWRrjpigvni0xZBIF5xot8_AIR2WQn6SRXmMVix/s320/412608_3473903682857_1129136262_33327798_980165438_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> Race #5 in the Arizona State Series was to take us to Prescott and into the thin air and pine tree forests. We were expecting a break from the heat of the desert and what a break indeed! Arriving at the venue to find 6 inches of fresh snow I was excited. Having many snowy races under my belt I knew exactly what we were in for and looking forward to the bizarre conditions. </b></i></span></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">Unfortunately the race was decidedly cancelled so we drove the 2 hours home to ride in 70 degree sunshine. Arizona is such an amazing place to be a cyclist. You have all these climate zones and varieties of trails within just a relatively small area, combined with year round sunny weather and amazing scenery I can't imagine anywhere else I would rather be.</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">The big race for me this year was to be the whiskey 50. Unfortunately I missed the registration cut off and was unable to get in. Lucky for me the State Criterium Championship was the same weekend and I was able to enter 3 races. Finsihing 5th was the best I could manage for the weekend in the Masters Catagory.</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPol8xvJSjUtigPyKiKIM9QKgEx5zQmZM-tK-rVwdOF-Te1djl7TD9yJGbG4CAZecer_zWn2kogy6NjipOHhgbjTuzJfpvhXz9A7PaYrVZyehEDV5xAcGb9HOnqJRhJYluXDMRulSgec3N/s1600/474809_3581901742741_1129136262_33361632_826736052_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPol8xvJSjUtigPyKiKIM9QKgEx5zQmZM-tK-rVwdOF-Te1djl7TD9yJGbG4CAZecer_zWn2kogy6NjipOHhgbjTuzJfpvhXz9A7PaYrVZyehEDV5xAcGb9HOnqJRhJYluXDMRulSgec3N/s320/474809_3581901742741_1129136262_33361632_826736052_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">Thanks to Trek and Bicycle Ranch of Scottsdale I was able to get on this new Trek Madone right before the weekend. This thing is smooth! And the fit is so intuitive .</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-Fmva3xVxadbl2HvATvBQMQ9ZFo43XZuup9yAxSD6q3yTFBvosT3m0PCfZrtHTZiJNuVFB46uREpkx1zey2d3Ql5rp41vbg2M7-pcc5Auezo2WsGWveC10qSKH1GnpTjRa728pfyY4pU/s400/561190_3511835848148_1639440856_2807842_1395001217_n.jpg" width="400" /> </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Next up was Ohio State Championship Race #2 at Mohican State Forest. This is one of my favorite trails in the east. A single, 25 mile singletrack loop with tons of climbing and loads of flow. The weather SUCKED. IT was in the 40s, windy and cloudy, I was freezing before the start. The start by the way had been moved up one hour since the last time I raced one of these and I arrive just in time to line up without a warmup...uncool.</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">The race started and the large field rolled out down the road towards the trail. I dropped my chain and ended up in about 6th going into the woods. Surged up into 4th and then it was like the brakes were starting to drag. Somehow I was having trouble closing this rather small gap up to 2nd and 3rd. Something was wrong and I eventually figured out that I had not tightened my seatpost clamp after the post air travel rebuild. </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlE1_DGkRhv1k-0xZbtfJ-84C6Kv3x7PDY2MVOLKrf_VVsa4XtlgrmVoSUwEvq2UhpfHggbyzYQMJCEYTZqt6RqNWfLUrQhxog7EPWaKuE-C5bLv9VQcKNmp-Nftqwr1nQFs3XyGbmF_K/s1600/me+ombc+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlE1_DGkRhv1k-0xZbtfJ-84C6Kv3x7PDY2MVOLKrf_VVsa4XtlgrmVoSUwEvq2UhpfHggbyzYQMJCEYTZqt6RqNWfLUrQhxog7EPWaKuE-C5bLv9VQcKNmp-Nftqwr1nQFs3XyGbmF_K/s320/me+ombc+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA_suXAe8kMaHyt439GwpF__mRcuOrciSfyy2jjqo0vStC6BsUg6OrRPRtQM9s-sMP5cuGPhqRGfW9T_iIFNQc_mA7vUC8ujj4qI5ghbsxxoaCB7SmQvb02Gw7iUvsCUQuzfs-kGWXi37/s1600/mohican+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA_suXAe8kMaHyt439GwpF__mRcuOrciSfyy2jjqo0vStC6BsUg6OrRPRtQM9s-sMP5cuGPhqRGfW9T_iIFNQc_mA7vUC8ujj4qI5ghbsxxoaCB7SmQvb02Gw7iUvsCUQuzfs-kGWXi37/s320/mohican+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">So there I am hurting and falling backwards into about 9th place before I am able to beg a tool and fix the post clamp. </span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">The course was awesome and I just raced as best I could moving back up to finish 5th by the end. </span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">After the race there was an awesome party with beer and fire and all things wonderful. It was great to hang with my longtime friends and fellow racers again. I got a little drunk I must admit but not before properly rehydrating with HEED from Hammer Nutrition!</span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow is the final Arizona State Championship Race and basically my fate is sealed as long as I finish. So it's going to be a good race to experiment with a new strategy and enjoy some Flagstaff, high altitude singletrack! </span></b></i>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-76829156130737972102012-03-27T21:42:00.015-07:002012-03-28T22:57:41.851-07:00MBAA Race #4 Sierra Vista<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx3d-TOBzH6pAZ-lltsZBTZw_j7pKaOi0gMQ6FIODlXr1am-lrn7zrMOygYOtF6wrDaAT1DTAUdPqNA9Tf862bYyeNm9d5togdq1TRevJ3OBN7jcrUvNgORLUt89O30VLRaEWwkpmRHZV/s1600/292960_3527979045258_1445650432_3314101_477439985_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx3d-TOBzH6pAZ-lltsZBTZw_j7pKaOi0gMQ6FIODlXr1am-lrn7zrMOygYOtF6wrDaAT1DTAUdPqNA9Tf862bYyeNm9d5togdq1TRevJ3OBN7jcrUvNgORLUt89O30VLRaEWwkpmRHZV/s400/292960_3527979045258_1445650432_3314101_477439985_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724804593360627666" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" > Sierra Vista is situated near the Mexico/Arizona Border and was home to race number four in this year's Arizona State Series. The course is a hilly one at mild elevation (4000ft), and is located on a U.S Army base.<br /><br />With dogs in tow, L.A. and I arrived the night before for a quick preview of the course along with <a href="http://lifebymtnbike.blogspot.com/">Nick Thomas</a>. I had raced here one year ago but it was still nice to get a pre-ride in. Pre-riding a course gives it a feeling of being an important race and seems to really focus my mind on the job at hand. It also reminds me of traveling, being at national or other high priority races, and generally makes any race more like a "big event". It was nice!<br /><br />The course was very climby, just like I remembered. But it was also very loose and had many sharp, tire eating rock formations in some high speed sections of trail. I realized I may have made the wrong choice when I grabbed my last new pair of skinny sissy tires off the shelf. But they were mounted and I had no replacements so sissy tires it would be.<br /><br />The morning of the race was cool and extremely windy. The weather was predicting gusts above 40 mph, warming up consisted of getting blown around and eating flying sand. I pedaled around and complained for about 10 minutes and then headed over to the start.<br /><br />I got a front row start and a pretty good sprint off the line to match. I settled into 4th heading into the first windy, loose climb and then took 3rd near the top. I made a little space between myself and 4th place but still lost some ground on the leaders.<br /><br />24 minutes later I was coming through the flat area near the start to begin my 2nd of 5 laps. Lap 2 had me feeling optimistic as I hit the beginning of the climb again. I could feel my back tire was low but that was ok for the climb as it allowed for better than normal traction. Before long though I was down on the rim and had to stop and dismount to fill it. A little C02 was all it took and I was back on the bike in seconds.<br /><br />Near the end of lap 2 I hit a sharp rock and lost all air from the rear...damn. I stopped, tubed it, and headed off again, now in 4th place.<br /><br />Lap 3 was great until I flatted yet again on the very same rock that go me on lap 2! Unreal. I limped to the finish and accepted some help from the pit to install a new tube and was off to lap 4. On lap 4 I realized I still had a chance at 3rd and started taking chances on the faster parts of the course, resulting in another flat, this time in the front. Riding the flat back to the pit was no fun, but they had everything ready for me and I was able to finish. This was enough to keep me top 3 in the points race with 2 races to go in the series!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next up was L.A.'s race. The wind was still crazy and it was much warmer out. She headed out on lap number one of four sitting in fourth place for most of the lap.<br /><br />Shortly before coming through to begin lap 2 she moved into 3rd place and looked real cool coming through the feed zone.<br /><br />Maintaining her place for the 3rd lap she was eating, drinking and focused but so was the girl behind her. She was surprised to find she got caught with less than a lap to go and put the hammer down. Moving back into 3rd and putting minutes on 2 of her rivals who were hot on her heals just a couple miles before the line.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0GCXY-5hlGlKWYsbrmk1wWWT3Jjc4uaNPCYC4IUzi8oxt9HkDqL0zXH290eM0cqinTBlDqPpn4FonqG6wkCvyaax2mPe_WUJM_6CpPkMZ3caKNa8AowncyrOLeyc7lgMlazhjF-S-NJG/s1600/459111_263901630359475_100002189198490_576598_568298668_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0GCXY-5hlGlKWYsbrmk1wWWT3Jjc4uaNPCYC4IUzi8oxt9HkDqL0zXH290eM0cqinTBlDqPpn4FonqG6wkCvyaax2mPe_WUJM_6CpPkMZ3caKNa8AowncyrOLeyc7lgMlazhjF-S-NJG/s400/459111_263901630359475_100002189198490_576598_568298668_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724804500651813522" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br />Celebrating her first podium of 2012 with a "superman" as she crossed over the line.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzUSXSud62ns2lpdBw9DvpmRmvGP2IL1NhFbe24vExeoEAc837TIUEEGxoERb68tABJUe77HHboWI8JTyrIlocbhqvaK8lQskEPOpvdPIMxkcHCJWxpyFAOqDTIlJvx_JJWI29tXFM0SY/s1600/431819_3527280787802_1445650432_3313379_1202455574_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzUSXSud62ns2lpdBw9DvpmRmvGP2IL1NhFbe24vExeoEAc837TIUEEGxoERb68tABJUe77HHboWI8JTyrIlocbhqvaK8lQskEPOpvdPIMxkcHCJWxpyFAOqDTIlJvx_JJWI29tXFM0SY/s400/431819_3527280787802_1445650432_3313379_1202455574_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724804396400551298" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15zoqlOu_Hubocm0caW1GIanNbMRWYENQGFWseSH5Nr7YRrGICXcRhpF1-Nq8wzLJMrU-ZSxyINZNacN7vr7KJ0vZ0yq8YUkHx9P3EkqCXoAQH9fXhwOtD41WT3HelE9fjbYJGJH3mVz5/s1600/419448_3323459561848_1129136262_33245533_1606287220_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15zoqlOu_Hubocm0caW1GIanNbMRWYENQGFWseSH5Nr7YRrGICXcRhpF1-Nq8wzLJMrU-ZSxyINZNacN7vr7KJ0vZ0yq8YUkHx9P3EkqCXoAQH9fXhwOtD41WT3HelE9fjbYJGJH3mVz5/s400/419448_3323459561848_1129136262_33245533_1606287220_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724804321507388162" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br />We have been doing a variety of Criteriums and Circuit races this year. This is new territory for me but Lee-Ann is a natural and seasoned Crit racer. It began with an underground training crit, then I was doing a stage race, and now I find myself actually caring about my results...it's whacked.<br /><br /> I used to not mention these races in my blogs because well...I sucked. And I still suck on a road bike but just not quite as bad as when I started.<br /><br />One race I had been looking forward to was the South Mountain Circuit Race. I ride here often on the mountain roads and trails, and was looking forward to my first hilly circuit race. I like to climb!<br /><br />This was a 35 minute race on course with a long, hilly, twisty climb followed by a long hilly, twisty descent. 25 dudes were in my field and within a couple of laps I had a feeling I may be a better descender than most.<br /><br />The field of riders stayed together for the entire race so on the last lap I attacked about halfway up the climb. One rider grabbed my wheel and the two of us gapped the field. We crested the climb and I was hoping to shake this guy on the fast and tight turns of the downhill but no dice. He stayed with me, we put a huge gap on everyone else, I could not even see them as we arrived at the final downhill turn and headed toward the finish.<br /><br />Out sprinted, I finished 2nd, my best yet in a circuit race.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1pR3Wyok_Spc3KZKNJCqh6NJXlzsX5mCX0onfq9nMTGNj3IhoI8w_M1jw1Ctmx5JF6wVAXRBjJpC748rfjUA3ElbH6p7vwc-94_A_pDwo8-V3zE1412xQ0Z48BktHSpkgwcmytr-IheP/s1600/560605_3283077287416_1582118006_32632892_540837109_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1pR3Wyok_Spc3KZKNJCqh6NJXlzsX5mCX0onfq9nMTGNj3IhoI8w_M1jw1Ctmx5JF6wVAXRBjJpC748rfjUA3ElbH6p7vwc-94_A_pDwo8-V3zE1412xQ0Z48BktHSpkgwcmytr-IheP/s400/560605_3283077287416_1582118006_32632892_540837109_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724804217540021378" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" >Next up was the Hungry Dog Crit. I signed up for 3 races and L.A. was racing too!<br /><br />She raced first with the rest of the Cat 1 through 4 women. Wearing her Hammer Nutrition Shorts and Bicycle Ranch Jersey she got a prim (prize for first place that lap) earning her first cash of the season! Coming around for the final lap the entire group was together as she started her sprint. There was no competition at all in the sprint and she won the race by several bike lengths! Her sprint is really a sight to see. <a href="http://vimeo.com/39158563">Click here and fast forward to the end to see it!</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlHNxyBhsIC7wXQGbkKWCuV_UuZMO9GIQ3GuLLkiAMnVApI8YmUdVmEL9L41eXGnVGuhbYmWuqBqaGuarnzFIPHdNU6Nx3gSaiQAojz_o3BoxM1Uo4qZLyarDxoFNhxaYy-aDfNT9YPLg/s1600/522101_3358211430623_1129136262_33263426_1965274194_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlHNxyBhsIC7wXQGbkKWCuV_UuZMO9GIQ3GuLLkiAMnVApI8YmUdVmEL9L41eXGnVGuhbYmWuqBqaGuarnzFIPHdNU6Nx3gSaiQAojz_o3BoxM1Uo4qZLyarDxoFNhxaYy-aDfNT9YPLg/s400/522101_3358211430623_1129136262_33263426_1965274194_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724804073812899074" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br />My masters race was next. I finished 12th, then got crushed in my second race. In my 3rd race was where the real action was. The field was HUGE. I bet 40 or so guys at least. The pace was pretty high most of the race. I was feeling ok thanks to<a href="http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/recoverite.rr.html?gclid=CPz7u_6wi68CFWcHRQodMGngBA"> Hammer Nutrition Recoverite</a> between races and Hammer Gel or HEED during race. I wish I could say I raced smart but instead I will tell you I learned a lot this race. Coming into the final lap I was riding near the front. Then heading in the final corner before the finish there was a big acceleration. Someone's pedal made contact with a wheel in front of me and chaos ensued. I realized in an instant that I was probably about to be involved in my first major road bike crash.<br /><br />Two guys directly in front of me hit the ground and one slides into the path of my bike. We are moving at nearly 30mph, as my front wheel comes in contact with another riders head up and over the human we go! I remember thinking "I am still upright!? Maybe I can save this!" and just then I am gang tackled from the right and rear. In an instant I go from way fast to getting up off the ground and locating my bike in the pileup. I realize I am ok and all but 2 riders are up on their feet. The officials are there and tending to the injured so I assist for a moment before remounting and coasting to the finish.<br /><br />Being involved in the crash was an eye opener. I learned a lot.<br /><br />We are doing another Crit this weekend and the following before heading to MBAA 5. Another hilly course with some great climbs, descents, singletrack, TREES! and altitude.<br /><br />Our Sponsors are Dope!<a href="http://www.bicycleranch.com"> Bicycle Ranch</a> <a href="http://www.hammernutrition.com">Hammer Nutrition</a> </span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-38795390866494934592012-03-02T16:52:00.022-08:002012-03-02T18:07:30.541-08:00MBAA Race #3 Hedgehog Hustle at Estrella Mtn.<span style="font-size:130%;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG1DhvPQ6xkKQj8DNOn0L9NJJj2-a5gi0aRjsW72AleS4YbeRG7wCu0Eb8PNJkozBh9a-GHHprk4hxCi4XP3lcOZ87oOUALWMmnDl1gaiQE5QGx7GMsb3wbs-_JcPuEcL2tBvQQKb1U9s/s1600/431694_3223475822317_1129136262_33193889_1017556508_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG1DhvPQ6xkKQj8DNOn0L9NJJj2-a5gi0aRjsW72AleS4YbeRG7wCu0Eb8PNJkozBh9a-GHHprk4hxCi4XP3lcOZ87oOUALWMmnDl1gaiQE5QGx7GMsb3wbs-_JcPuEcL2tBvQQKb1U9s/s400/431694_3223475822317_1129136262_33193889_1017556508_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715483350575636018" border="0" /></a><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Our Hammer Order Arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNaEt6ntPIS3BnlViDK-8qeEwuWS14hstkqBdTmf8_t6z4U9OMUvHfR7uvKK299DEhbmqnEW69iIvhW7PgOVOOavO2PqF-7lXGD90Axrex0qUVbgwawFCGN7DxmeOHUgtzzJu3NVr78mn/s1600/458436_319027024811996_184748031573230_822408_315012059_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNaEt6ntPIS3BnlViDK-8qeEwuWS14hstkqBdTmf8_t6z4U9OMUvHfR7uvKK299DEhbmqnEW69iIvhW7PgOVOOavO2PqF-7lXGD90Axrex0qUVbgwawFCGN7DxmeOHUgtzzJu3NVr78mn/s400/458436_319027024811996_184748031573230_822408_315012059_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715470780620422610" border="0" /></a><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">L.A. and I were both looking forward to MBAA Race #3 at Estrella Mountain. This is by far the most rugged course on the calendar this season. The rocky, twisty, techy course suits our east coast riding style and experience.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">My race was first at about 8am. There was a large Cat 1/Pro showing and I was looking forward to racing despite fighting illness for the previous week. I had my new</span><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/superfly/superfly_pro/#"> Superfly</a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> dialed in and was looking forward to ripping up some trail regardless of the outcome of the race.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FDSmAPWXjoxA2rrNuFQS5T3VaY0FmKoEXR8TXFsnYgNcUlbjjg_YTvWeCD2wN4vxm3CMnVkDa2nrIgNXwlQztU3n1RnPkpU1eaArXk6cJK0uMHBXwRHRNCsSK1FMKMFYpsibj1pmpiHZ/s1600/462171_319027234811975_184748031573230_822410_574234932_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FDSmAPWXjoxA2rrNuFQS5T3VaY0FmKoEXR8TXFsnYgNcUlbjjg_YTvWeCD2wN4vxm3CMnVkDa2nrIgNXwlQztU3n1RnPkpU1eaArXk6cJK0uMHBXwRHRNCsSK1FMKMFYpsibj1pmpiHZ/s400/462171_319027234811975_184748031573230_822410_574234932_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715470659657662450" border="0" /> </a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> The girl said "go" and we did. I clung to the tails of the fast guys as we filed into singletrack and moon rocks. As the 30 mile race progressed I passed more and more racers who were fixing flat tires due to the shrapnel like trail surface. I was not feeling very strong and it showed. I got passed and did very little passing. The trail was fast and smooth and gravely in some sections. Then in others I found myself doing trials type technical moves and powering up short burst type climbs. </span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3GyMTtEoY079pcniefze0E2-UKowkytLVIyWGBGqskIz0pSOlYdgFqJcyaADetk5Tj0n-oHTZ0C3LNi9bVEzjvKpt72N3rZW3C4djeW0M99Ec1sawc3KevBqmiPUJAtzvLNFpasxJnAX/s1600/430156_3409609286088_1445650432_3263520_2058378241_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3GyMTtEoY079pcniefze0E2-UKowkytLVIyWGBGqskIz0pSOlYdgFqJcyaADetk5Tj0n-oHTZ0C3LNi9bVEzjvKpt72N3rZW3C4djeW0M99Ec1sawc3KevBqmiPUJAtzvLNFpasxJnAX/s400/430156_3409609286088_1445650432_3263520_2058378241_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715470538624280834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">After lap 1 I heard a crack and eventually realized my seatpost clamp had broken allowing my post to slip. Anyone who races understands that this is not a fun way to ride. I dealt with the bad luck blow and still made it to the finish in 5th place, with no flat tires or crashes, and had loads of fun racing this sweet trail system on my new, black, fresh Superfly Pro.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC93aIi1V5SpvL5LYlpXtOaTcYH4WemmO4u_B1Hh40VYMU59i2V_nYl8CnEGIwpkDuXm_60M264ztgrThqtOLrqgr8nZ1b50V_dc2R42_1yB0Gt8jqI8Gp7DyUZLObFUsueQVJaV6ywBEf/s1600/2012-02-25_11-15-36_673.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC93aIi1V5SpvL5LYlpXtOaTcYH4WemmO4u_B1Hh40VYMU59i2V_nYl8CnEGIwpkDuXm_60M264ztgrThqtOLrqgr8nZ1b50V_dc2R42_1yB0Gt8jqI8Gp7DyUZLObFUsueQVJaV6ywBEf/s400/2012-02-25_11-15-36_673.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715469146193044306" border="0" /></a><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Next up was Lee-Ann's race in the huge Cat1/Pro field. Temps were rising and we were both looking forward to seeing her tear the course up in a good way. She was to do 25 miles and I was to be her support in the feed zone. </span><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GHHnMOFb-qgj2fpM9VFxwFMSr4gvoJd7Y6jFO9uv0z9Ae-KT7GEJ9rpquFzQ6IFG2Eou3rIQCTjaoazhRx0ASE6_AEudY4AGKHAF8gD37gyr16rW7uqhv-lNr-y2djpu_V5A5qA3xzgk/s1600/428086_3407775000232_1445650432_3262338_1265537429_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GHHnMOFb-qgj2fpM9VFxwFMSr4gvoJd7Y6jFO9uv0z9Ae-KT7GEJ9rpquFzQ6IFG2Eou3rIQCTjaoazhRx0ASE6_AEudY4AGKHAF8gD37gyr16rW7uqhv-lNr-y2djpu_V5A5qA3xzgk/s400/428086_3407775000232_1445650432_3262338_1265537429_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715469428508974722" border="0" /></a><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Coming through the feed zone after the first ten miles she looked and felt great, and was comfortably sitting in 3rd. Then, halfway through the race she flatted, which normally is not a big deal but a second flat after left her dead on the trail. She had to walk for literally hours across the desert to reach the parking lot. Parched and burnt she opted not to finish.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Luck was not on our side and here we are already halfway through the State Championship Series.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Next up is the Sierra Vista course near Tucson. mild altitude, lots of climbing, and likely some new competition! Hopefully some better luck as well!</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Thanks to Darren Williams for the photos as well as our sponsors~!</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6k0d9jACrhlqrMKMq175X0Sx3mS4uVasJ2qTJHYM6UvRjeU-eFzf3ndCXMRWGtV8NNXiu-2pNbMJfYQdlqYa87cPIbk8JFuGc1r4Bq4BCRwg_7FODMWA_IBLKexC-uOpSjfQLGBBhP7-a/s1600/hammer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6k0d9jACrhlqrMKMq175X0Sx3mS4uVasJ2qTJHYM6UvRjeU-eFzf3ndCXMRWGtV8NNXiu-2pNbMJfYQdlqYa87cPIbk8JFuGc1r4Bq4BCRwg_7FODMWA_IBLKexC-uOpSjfQLGBBhP7-a/s400/hammer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715485603162736018" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhRUlZsJ59gwOp-Q5Y0stnnrJsAd_lEY_5pZoi3wnSpnQJCzssS5WeK0A4Um7IkG8TkoI5NdjAeq5MixZRmbMJjnefx1M3yFrbDR2vmfGnQDnI02H0nEN3Wba1eQwPD5nPOexV9UGGuI_/s1600/bon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhRUlZsJ59gwOp-Q5Y0stnnrJsAd_lEY_5pZoi3wnSpnQJCzssS5WeK0A4Um7IkG8TkoI5NdjAeq5MixZRmbMJjnefx1M3yFrbDR2vmfGnQDnI02H0nEN3Wba1eQwPD5nPOexV9UGGuI_/s400/bon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715485775336351330" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEief1LlcMpwbhoLCrHT_ikWsZc8-GkfHV3iyh59zTzS43-HZt5qM4HnwQG2Jbl5F6dwCQ70UlXy1RjkvkJ9Y4oy8x2XJZR_hvkB0B-JWJjpqb8zFJqcjGzXSAAN3fyvU6yiS9r8rq36gTDc/s1600/br.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 59px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEief1LlcMpwbhoLCrHT_ikWsZc8-GkfHV3iyh59zTzS43-HZt5qM4HnwQG2Jbl5F6dwCQ70UlXy1RjkvkJ9Y4oy8x2XJZR_hvkB0B-JWJjpqb8zFJqcjGzXSAAN3fyvU6yiS9r8rq36gTDc/s400/br.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715485904035096194" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7W72eqvdY7O9lcW172KKERmxLRxOKJqBq3mmJJbO2l3vFXu0392Ps19gnw3PT5m5nLB-mCHY2Zs9w8K9KGdeOWpB3E0Vax6Xs26TSk4X5jb3kcn2F4UCVHbxvpZ0qoIuPW6nsEaOAuM-Z/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7W72eqvdY7O9lcW172KKERmxLRxOKJqBq3mmJJbO2l3vFXu0392Ps19gnw3PT5m5nLB-mCHY2Zs9w8K9KGdeOWpB3E0Vax6Xs26TSk4X5jb3kcn2F4UCVHbxvpZ0qoIuPW6nsEaOAuM-Z/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715485674777420546" border="0" /></a></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-54778299978245521022012-02-19T19:26:00.000-08:002012-02-19T19:49:16.769-08:00MBAA Race #2 Wihite Tanks Whirlwind<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >White Tanks is a pretty fun course. Very fast with a few really rocky, technical sections. Located on the far west side of the valley. Last year I flatted on this course and finished way back like some novice on a hybrid.<br /><br /><br />This was to be my first race in my new sponsor's kit.<a href="http://www.bicycleranch.com/"> Bicycle Ranch of Scottsdale. </a><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnSS2AsggAuOquv-pZTr76n9uC1p1BQrl5GrdXSUKBZ6zl2AnSBDstNUHp1Ohyphenhyphenu2YuMc3JsYzasFHEP19jEHlkTwzRAsxqB63YB8-ajNVwJ2QTP_g6PRuMLo58PMeb_6R46MjJ5M3qsY3/s400/009_0915.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711054712388455746" border="0" /><br />I had a plan, the plan involved sticking with the leaders up the first climb, into the tech section, and then riding their draft on the long, long downhill back to the start/finish. There was a large pro/Cat 1 showing and the start was crowded. I found my way up near the front and was feeling that all too familiar burn of a real Pro class start. Within minutes the top 3 guys began to get a gap on me. I burned several matches to catch up only to have them pull away as the terrain got steeper. I burned more and surprised myself with the level of hurt I was able to find within the first few minutes of this race. "shit, this is not going as planned" I thought to myself as I hit a wall and was forced to recover as the leaders rode away together.<br /><br />Now I was all alone in 4th spot. I was hoping to get caught or catch someone I could work with on the back side of the course, however I was not willing to slow down and wait. For the entire race I was alone, running from the guys behind and chasing helmets in the distance. I never passed or got passed by anyone and overall it was an uneventful race until about 200yards before the finish.<br /><br />I lost it on a sandy turn, had to put a foot down, and by the time I was back on the trail I noticed another pro right behind me. Luckily I was able to beat him to the line by a few seconds to hold onto 4th. Not good enough for a podium and my second 4th in a row. Currently I sit in 3rd place in the points series with 4 races left.<br /><br />I have been doing as many road races, circuit races, and crits for training as well...and learning and improving little by little.<br /><br />The next MBAA race is in just a few days, at the most technical course on the calendar.<br /><br />Big Ups to our sponsors, Bi</span>cycle Ranch, Hammer Nutrition, and Trek/Bontrager!Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-22451842455315434152012-02-05T22:49:00.001-08:002012-02-07T09:18:15.422-08:00MBAA Race #1 McDowell Mtn<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" >After having such a great race the week before I was really looking forward to the first MBAA race of the season. McDowell Mountain is such a fun course, so fast and plenty of flow. No matter the race outcome I was sure to have fun on my bike!<br /><br />My start was early, about 8:30 am....temps were only in the 40s under sunny skies. We arrived about 7am and got in line for registration. The reg line was extremely long and slow moving, I stood in line for over an hour waiting to register. The officials had to delay the start of the race. Even then I had about 90 seconds to get to the start line by the time I got dressed and prepared my bike. To top it off I had to line up all the way in the back of the large cat 1 field that is starting with the Pro's this year. Not a good start to the first race of the year.<br /><br />This is an extremely fast course (like most MBAA race courses) and staying with the front group is uber important. I gave everything I had at the start but was only able to make it into the top 12 or so by the time we filed into the singletrack. The front few guys were riding away and there was nothing I could do to catch up. I was on my own as I worked through the field on the first lap.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz8i2jvjY827bArRZxXmhvgUHYYFQuNNOOtO2PF-FdslEBRLBsahmxj1_wV3hajF0m25ESobI1bPNqasg4lninjB5yrZtxAOqK8Sr8R98X2Hm_kIlK99f2ovGMkoUMzGD-_fa0o-Oo6Lt/s1600/Mcdowell+32012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz8i2jvjY827bArRZxXmhvgUHYYFQuNNOOtO2PF-FdslEBRLBsahmxj1_wV3hajF0m25ESobI1bPNqasg4lninjB5yrZtxAOqK8Sr8R98X2Hm_kIlK99f2ovGMkoUMzGD-_fa0o-Oo6Lt/s400/Mcdowell+32012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705920871583051986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Going into lap 2 I was able to work with another racer briefly and this provided some much needed recovery. L.A. was at the feed zone providing some much needed support and also let me know how far out of first place I was.<br /><br />I was riding well, feeling pretty good, and had no idea what place I was in. Just racing as fast as I could go without crashing, and I still managed to fall on a slick and fast downhill. It was a hard fall onto the hip but I was up and going again in no time, now on my third lap.<br /><br />I love these early season races. I always feel so focused, fresh, motivated. My bike feels tight with a fresh drivetrain and tires, brake pads and grips.<br /><br />The third and final lap was exciting. I had joined up with a couple of other really fast guys and we were working our way through some lapped traffic at amazing speeds. Only a couple miles from the finish I dropped my chain off of my ring going through the rock garden and lost the two in front.<br /><br />I was very disappointed but re-railed the chain and gave chase. After carefully dosing the little energy I had left I caught one of the guys right at the line and outsprinted him to finish 4th in the Pro class by just a few seconds.<br /><br />Overall I was quite happy with the race considering the stupid circumstances at registration and at the start line. I felt good, rode good, but was too far back from the winner. I am doubting my chances at any real showing in the MBAA Series this year....and reconsidering my priority races.<br /><br />L.A. was so right on with her drink delivery and information relays. Now it was her turn to race. She went out hard, maybe a little too hard and blew up on her first lap falling back deep into the Cat 1 field. But her racing experience paid off as she gathered herself up and slowly clawed her way back to a 5th place finish in quite a large field. No crashes and some good stories made this a great race for her 1st official Cat 1 battle.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv4rJgD_EDFb_qMRvFXHYmapBV0CvVqpsgsemGH_sHM-ufPoZT76HfvhsIZRUoTmpoycLTsS7W_SGVQS5hghq7ynAOytjklHm1Cxp2eEEllPOOXf6xgAk_SsOoNb-6UE6rwgnrCdABxDy/s1600/LA+McDowell+2012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv4rJgD_EDFb_qMRvFXHYmapBV0CvVqpsgsemGH_sHM-ufPoZT76HfvhsIZRUoTmpoycLTsS7W_SGVQS5hghq7ynAOytjklHm1Cxp2eEEllPOOXf6xgAk_SsOoNb-6UE6rwgnrCdABxDy/s400/LA+McDowell+2012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705921177811883138" border="0" /></a>It's always fun racing with her but the ride to and from the race as well as the social scene after is what really makes the day for me! We are both looking forward to many more fun filled races.<br /><br />Not a bad showing for a</span> couple skinny white kids in Arizona Race #1!Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-19752638413579705092012-02-01T18:48:00.000-08:002012-02-01T18:48:00.577-08:002012 Sponsors!!!<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br />I am excited to be working with some great sponsors for 2012!<br /><br />It looks like <a href="http://www.hammernutrition.com/?gclid=CPu2oabd9q0CFWgaQgodii2itw">Hammer Nutrition</a> is going to be backing both L.A. and I on the food and drink side of things. They have anything you would need to fuel any endurance event.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EmFwXx1EpoI81_19o1pQT7KT2mCc_oIuzLbnQJou4XqpuHnwcYGTgMv9u9s4LjHYy53GFNuowMK3rfcdE0P3N7CqzayWMCdjOghG1PdmVz-jbNYmfg0TLW-mebmgbcq4lFsiP-nIxcBr/s1600/hammer+nutrition.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EmFwXx1EpoI81_19o1pQT7KT2mCc_oIuzLbnQJou4XqpuHnwcYGTgMv9u9s4LjHYy53GFNuowMK3rfcdE0P3N7CqzayWMCdjOghG1PdmVz-jbNYmfg0TLW-mebmgbcq4lFsiP-nIxcBr/s400/hammer+nutrition.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703253306020309922" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bontrager.com/">Bontrager</a> and <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/">Trek</a> are continuing our relationship.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jf5OK_ktZ_zRe7maveL5alj2nQrR-m9Nj8TRQKVaeJtIR_c1NuIMvCLMUYFF-E834hti2LeKn80N-8dWtQ9kwnGmQg4NwUeLlha0QjG3kYTMZsceKscQjhYch-ptwU_2GbkPCz8kTfM9/s1600/Trek+logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jf5OK_ktZ_zRe7maveL5alj2nQrR-m9Nj8TRQKVaeJtIR_c1NuIMvCLMUYFF-E834hti2LeKn80N-8dWtQ9kwnGmQg4NwUeLlha0QjG3kYTMZsceKscQjhYch-ptwU_2GbkPCz8kTfM9/s400/Trek+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703253994077481986" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-size:130%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xKbqlNaOwt6dPyeamjkxKiGqCkaDdr_btUGlU5lnKlHG2cS0g0GRcnQn9uLemlXwDzPAUmNVU-Ki7MgEeGlnOV4qaLLjZAWAIJ5EQldMo_s8fL_BAmZ_NVOIF4THRDI7oqp_uDc2lBaU/s1600/bontrager+logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xKbqlNaOwt6dPyeamjkxKiGqCkaDdr_btUGlU5lnKlHG2cS0g0GRcnQn9uLemlXwDzPAUmNVU-Ki7MgEeGlnOV4qaLLjZAWAIJ5EQldMo_s8fL_BAmZ_NVOIF4THRDI7oqp_uDc2lBaU/s400/bontrager+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703254134510446786" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />And the big news is that we also got connected with <a href="http://bicycleranch.com/">Bicycle Ranch!</a> A full service bike shop in Scottsdale with a reputation for sponsoring the fastest mountain bike racers in the region.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DEDjPyEusKgwcujhvni8_4fw5NHJwrBYguUoNnK_iNfHd9RyxH9JI0BiQZgJsNEsZbnO6GuO6urjB1yj-ppTT-TB4LwIZ6UK3cJmcL0Zpu2nNOpnEueLVtb12FHqlUMq87MCZYKUQyIX/s1600/br+logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DEDjPyEusKgwcujhvni8_4fw5NHJwrBYguUoNnK_iNfHd9RyxH9JI0BiQZgJsNEsZbnO6GuO6urjB1yj-ppTT-TB4LwIZ6UK3cJmcL0Zpu2nNOpnEueLVtb12FHqlUMq87MCZYKUQyIX/s400/br+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703253602600658178" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-85595071832006624772012-01-28T22:15:00.001-08:002012-01-29T04:55:14.861-08:0012 Hours Of Winning!<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br />The 12 Hours of Papago is a race I have been looking forward to since moving to Arizona. The course is cool for several reasons. First it's located right in Tempe, a rather hip area of Phoenix. The course is in a public park, surrounded by city on all sides, and contains some extremely unique rock formations. Also included was a 175 long tunnel, a few miles of canal bike path, a public road crossing, a technical bridge over the canal, climbs, descents, rocks and cactus. Oh,...and the transition area was located on a paved road under an overpass.<br /><br />L.A. and I arrived just in time to make our own parking place around 6 a.m. It was still dark and the bridges over Tempe Town Lake were lit....I had a good feeling about the race.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaMBGHaOgJG-iA8ynD-0ABf5alT0KO9eJnq6S2ObLbYLKtYLO0SYqpgSGxznYMD6sqGbDFGyQ99jB1TFZ59VkyIjHc1aTFAFYA5l6eT5-ZbBuscUhXHbqygYWDnn839XzA8-hQo7IadAk/s1600/IMG_3956.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaMBGHaOgJG-iA8ynD-0ABf5alT0KO9eJnq6S2ObLbYLKtYLO0SYqpgSGxznYMD6sqGbDFGyQ99jB1TFZ59VkyIjHc1aTFAFYA5l6eT5-ZbBuscUhXHbqygYWDnn839XzA8-hQo7IadAk/s400/IMG_3956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702934197701451570" border="0" /></a> The start was cold and dark, about 45 degrees. We ran to our bikes and then out onto the course. I started for our team, named "Hole in One" and managed to be one the top 10 into the singletrack. There were 170 or so teams. I followed another rider who had a light through the first little canyon and then rode blindly for a couple minutes until we were in a more open area. The twilight was giving just enough on the high ground to see and it got brighter every minute.<br /><br />I was highly motivated to take advantage of the open trail ahead of me before it became clogged with hundreds of lapped traffic. Also I was very rested and filled with adrenaline since it was my first mtb race in months.<br />Within a few minutes I was out front and thinking to myself "dude, this is going pretty well!".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf43tqdbLqDOIk27pDmNZNaatQ4nWrUJ2PzgvjqZVoMxkdBCdtDQCmdQE-1eqJvPWu2e1a17VNT4A3x-3WmUMP_3bYW99kx1UduSrdS61MtDEqdbH6-oeFOdlGETrvRutJBhiMO9DmfdRc/s1600/me+crankin+papago.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf43tqdbLqDOIk27pDmNZNaatQ4nWrUJ2PzgvjqZVoMxkdBCdtDQCmdQE-1eqJvPWu2e1a17VNT4A3x-3WmUMP_3bYW99kx1UduSrdS61MtDEqdbH6-oeFOdlGETrvRutJBhiMO9DmfdRc/s400/me+crankin+papago.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702934382754250546" border="0" /></a> I was totally time trialing, mildly concerned about using too much to soon, and zoomed onto the pavement and through the underpass/transition zone in 1st place, laying down what would be the fastest lap of the race, averaging 16 mph on that lap! One more time around and it was L.A.'s turn a couple out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRm35rvCfcs4U7maWDtVSga2c9OF31EnxpoTpD9gReTZ14DFNFOrU0EejOrh5Gdcqn59BGXalCp_21VLIHKfs9C6hcGOIEmmHOyTJC54R_cWe-Yrv8hBcnSPg2B1Slz4UjDZmqlsdI-S4s/s1600/papago+la+air.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRm35rvCfcs4U7maWDtVSga2c9OF31EnxpoTpD9gReTZ14DFNFOrU0EejOrh5Gdcqn59BGXalCp_21VLIHKfs9C6hcGOIEmmHOyTJC54R_cWe-Yrv8hBcnSPg2B1Slz4UjDZmqlsdI-S4s/s400/papago+la+air.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702935683843811778" border="0" /></a>Earlier that day we awoke to her front tire completely flat. Actually spent quite a bit of time jerking with it and knew it might be an issue during the race. Both our bikes were well worn and we knew mechanicals were a strong possibility. So of course she had a flat on the first lap, and of course it was not easy to fix as the tubless valve had been completely jacked in the rim.<br /><br />Limping back to the transition I did a "relief lap" while she finalized repairs.<br /><br />Back out on the course her enthusiasm got the best of her and she came back after an extremely "hot lap". Explaining that she went so hard that she made herself sick. I was sitting around chowing down, totally not expecting to go back out on the course yet...but I did. I was starting to hurt at this point and there was still about 8 hours of racing to go!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tsHxubw-PsLRDpzitdwsGfhSrNQlWEaM8CvG5BRVLKAx9UYrLdfNHgyNwQ99wqgqDKtYV14tuxbDAHCWlRiq6PKYPntkWgPLFBnptMwtBW8FbpRkwDMMQnLwOZidUbQJVTh3erZU7lr5/s1600/LA+12hr++pap.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tsHxubw-PsLRDpzitdwsGfhSrNQlWEaM8CvG5BRVLKAx9UYrLdfNHgyNwQ99wqgqDKtYV14tuxbDAHCWlRiq6PKYPntkWgPLFBnptMwtBW8FbpRkwDMMQnLwOZidUbQJVTh3erZU7lr5/s400/LA+12hr++pap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702935117033627634" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLUomWwEXh_mGOAzspOetvB2JxEZcGir93pUuG5MXLFVoWZK_y7rsc4R0a69L8SyJzCqX5Qmw2VvaNGF8OdkNMA7B0BuwCMn2Uehvpa6nJXdR38-P3ISb33dXRl5YWAvIe6uiI2JjJYaC/s1600/la+smile+n+ride+12hr+papa.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLUomWwEXh_mGOAzspOetvB2JxEZcGir93pUuG5MXLFVoWZK_y7rsc4R0a69L8SyJzCqX5Qmw2VvaNGF8OdkNMA7B0BuwCMn2Uehvpa6nJXdR38-P3ISb33dXRl5YWAvIe6uiI2JjJYaC/s400/la+smile+n+ride+12hr+papa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702934850703412770" border="0" /></a> L.A found her mojo on the following lap, putting down her fastest lap of the day. We were behind at this point but slowly crawled back into 1st about mid day. Between laps I was using zip ties to hold both my shoes and my derailer together. But we remained mechanical free and took the win with 22 laps! Rules stated that each teamate had to do a relatively equal number of laps so Lee-Ann finished up the race for us in the dark, putting down yet another of her consistently fast laps.<br /><br />It was a textbook endurance race, it had extreme temps, mechanicals, drama, and some very close competition....Oh and free beer from the local brewery!<br /><br />The award ceremony and after party were totally rockstar! I drank half a beer and was wasted.<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ1AH69KwucWbMT9HYv_2wqtfc3CuiuU60Sj69EWnqjFZGQxqmGpgXdn260-zSw3AJ2BSDcYRcIPn3vPq74i4WuIstSCB7mLqS1jMB8-plp4xr7LVPmsxyhQ6lk3q9edeONfXHOvVI7tO/s1600/me+papa+12+hr+on+course.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ1AH69KwucWbMT9HYv_2wqtfc3CuiuU60Sj69EWnqjFZGQxqmGpgXdn260-zSw3AJ2BSDcYRcIPn3vPq74i4WuIstSCB7mLqS1jMB8-plp4xr7LVPmsxyhQ6lk3q9edeONfXHOvVI7tO/s400/me+papa+12+hr+on+course.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702935472194360034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-BExUMdsFlreGGWmABAHdvnnz8yk7K8OzTA0fUuklQqCbljZMb7E98Y68KF9hszOwTLQRwkIaz1hHZbQ3Z_vqs2dr1wFGc5mgoCI_XKVOp1ZI_RyhCU0VFxyEyEhHBP1fws-XCvGVrox/s1600/la+n+me+podium+12+papago.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-BExUMdsFlreGGWmABAHdvnnz8yk7K8OzTA0fUuklQqCbljZMb7E98Y68KF9hszOwTLQRwkIaz1hHZbQ3Z_vqs2dr1wFGc5mgoCI_XKVOp1ZI_RyhCU0VFxyEyEhHBP1fws-XCvGVrox/s400/la+n+me+podium+12+papago.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702936244902462210" border="0" /></a>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-1717200750430959612012-01-25T21:25:00.000-08:002012-01-25T21:59:12.731-08:00Arizona State Cyclocross Championships<span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjcCXKaZdLzQiI6UM1zSH14POUDA-DfFLrGQzLnV9b8GwlqOO8njss7J0S0VM-w2J8MR9Ip_Zlm1wA7Do9tlodCRKlVU0AlbFbpDHgtQIVwU-v55sDRyMC3CDZFfOvEzfaKqqZsACsn8b/s1600/IMG_3930.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjcCXKaZdLzQiI6UM1zSH14POUDA-DfFLrGQzLnV9b8GwlqOO8njss7J0S0VM-w2J8MR9Ip_Zlm1wA7Do9tlodCRKlVU0AlbFbpDHgtQIVwU-v55sDRyMC3CDZFfOvEzfaKqqZsACsn8b/s400/IMG_3930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701815103488034178" border="0" /></a><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Mid-December...It had been around 4 months since our last race so we decided it was time to get out and do some racing just for fun. As luck would have it, the Arizona State Cyclocross Championship race happened to be taking place not too far from home!</span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=578&tbm=isch&tbnid=VspVDZ0KKP63MM:&imgrefurl=http://prattphoto.blogspot.com/2010/09/24-hours-at-seven-springs-dirt-rag-team.html&docid=u7UIqSLF8x9jxM&imgurl=http://www.jonpratt.com/2010/24-Hours-at-Seven-Springs-0904/DSC8086/995671071_VoxRB-M.jpg&w=600&h=429&ei=FOUgT8b2FYepiQKDwM3cBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=980&vpy=144&dur=6548&hovh=190&hovw=266&tx=130&ty=79&sig=106245136737210719089&page=1&tbnh=119&tbnw=159&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0">L.A.</a><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> 's cyclocross bike was in disrepair, and mine does not exist, so we loaded up my mountain bike and her single speed/fixie and went racin'.</span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">We both showed up with no expectations except to race, hurt, and smile. Mission accomplished!</span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My race was first, there were about 12 guys in the men's master class. After very little warmup I went off the front on the first lap, but noone came with so I sat up. Into the second lap a couple guys attacked and I chased. They did'nt let up and it became the 3 of us together up front.</span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The course was all grass with one set of barriers, temps in the high 60's and sunny skies. (I love Phoenix).</span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Being the only guy on a MTB gave me some advantage on the grassy, tight turns. I could hold more speed through them and that was obvious right away. However I was slower to accelerate and a bit slower on my dismount than my main competitor.</span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The race between the 3 of us quickly became a race between myself and "main competitor". He was fast on the accelerations and slow in the corners. As the last lap bell rang he put me in front and that was fine with me. I soft pedaled the last lap and he made his move on a straight just like I thought he would. With one tight corner to go I knew I had to make my move so I sprinted up on the inside, he noticed and as we went into the corner he intentionally cut me off and there was a collision. I had to unclip, he sprinted ahead, and I was not able to out sprint the suck in the end. Dirty racing indeed but I applaud his effort. He did what he needed to and won. I was second, one second back.</span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This was good enough for a podium spot (if they had a podium) and a nice silver medal from USA Cycling! Great surprise for me too, cyclocross is'nt all that bad!</span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lee-Ann's race was next. She was the only chick on a single speed and on the flat open course this was a big disadvantage. She rode great and looked strong, I think she even had fun! Finishing 5th among some strong competition.</span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Today was the first "Southside Underground Crit" and I am stoked to say that I won by about 2". Fun, fast, free, training race! </span><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Much more to update! Coming soon....</span></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-43255124420494334492011-12-14T11:25:00.000-08:002011-12-14T11:28:37.589-08:00Local Press!InMaricopa, a local magazine did a brief write up on local athletes lately and I was lucky enough t be included!<br />Brad Wilhelm, 36<br />professiona l cyclist,<br />dog train er, tour guid e<br />Desert Ceda rs<br />What event are you training for? 12<br />hours of Papago, a mountain bike<br />race at Papago Mountain in Tempe.<br />Why this event? It is preparation for<br />the 2012 cross-country series.<br />How many similar events have you<br />competed in previously? About 100.<br />What does your training consist<br />of? Riding my road or mountain bike<br />six or seven days per week performing<br />specific workouts. Each workout targets a<br />specific skill necessary for successful race<br />performance.<br />Why fitness? As I aged I realized the<br />need for exercise. During my quest to gain<br />fitness I discovered cycling and fell in love.<br />How many hours per week do you<br />train? Ten to 20.<br />How do you fit training into your<br />schedule? I mold my life around my<br />training, this includes my “career.”<br />Do you have a special diet that is a<br />part of your training regimen? I just try<br />to eat healthy and eat the correct amounts.<br />What advice would you give to others<br />who are thinking about getting in shape<br />but haven’t taken the first step? Just start<br />doing anything; it does not matter what.<br />Make it a priority.<br />Stay informed<br />Follow us on<br />www.inmaricopa.comBrad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-40896956057199331392011-11-04T22:36:00.000-07:002011-11-04T23:12:17.629-07:00BARN BURNER~!!!!!<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVpLMBbmNyjzDNkpGehEbLNaRmav9X_GZNJ4pPLSKzwc2g8zlDg0xxl00bm5wBT8ohqeMSPb-6Ktq6nZ1ETnLIUyLRgUCsWe9GG2N4DlHkLXes_II9iE6x8Xoh6o_SEFNwgQZEm_9C-Eu/s1600/IMG_5989.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVpLMBbmNyjzDNkpGehEbLNaRmav9X_GZNJ4pPLSKzwc2g8zlDg0xxl00bm5wBT8ohqeMSPb-6Ktq6nZ1ETnLIUyLRgUCsWe9GG2N4DlHkLXes_II9iE6x8Xoh6o_SEFNwgQZEm_9C-Eu/s400/IMG_5989.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671384235153782546" border="0" /></a>Barn Burner was a blast! This was a relay race that took place near Flagstaff, above 7000 feet elevation, on a 20+ mile rough dirt road loop. It was the first race that I teamed up with my girl <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/profile.php?id=703348922">L.A.</a> and what a team we turned out to be!<br /><br />Leaving Phoenix in the early morning hours we left the summer heat behind and arrived at the venue just as the sun was coming up. Temps were much cooler up here in the mountains and pines near Flagstaff, and the terrain was red dirt and lava rock. We picked a parking place, registered, and I lined up for the LeMans style start.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaW-tPLpJmnl09T2zOXfOms6Tz-RVBfroCKaVosLu8EvH5pE6b8n4WaYyQj1m_AC7ZPoRV54kQ-HXiM6Ykq8uGAkkxxN9WzVbYTStuaSNCmSjz_GqrF5IWlYlaL3t3kGEPAMJOt7CCW9P/s1600/IMG_5992.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaW-tPLpJmnl09T2zOXfOms6Tz-RVBfroCKaVosLu8EvH5pE6b8n4WaYyQj1m_AC7ZPoRV54kQ-HXiM6Ykq8uGAkkxxN9WzVbYTStuaSNCmSjz_GqrF5IWlYlaL3t3kGEPAMJOt7CCW9P/s400/IMG_5992.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671383912507066786" border="0" /></a>The start was CROWDED! People were pushing and shoving as we were herded down a long corridor of race tape to where our bikes were parked. Hundreds of us were off and racing and it took several minutes to reach the dirt road where I could finally begin some passing. I teamed up with several other fast racers and we made time sharing the lead and our slipstreams. Coming into the barn where we had to dismount I found my teammate, Lee-Ann saddled up and ready for her hand off. I handed the baton and she was off! We were in great shape going into our second of 4 laps. I had come in among the top 10 on the first lap and LA had a killer lap time on the second.<br /><br />Unfortunately I was caught hiding in the shade as she finished her lap, missed her coming through the barn, and she spent over 5 minutes searching for me for the hand off. This cost us second place and we slipped into 3rd or 4th.<br /><br />Desperate to regain our podium spot we decided I would do the remaining two laps back to back...that was about 5o more miles on top of the 25 I had already done. Lap 3 went great but during lap 4 I hit the dreaded bonk zone.<br /><br />To compound matters...the skies then opened up and began to pour. Temps dropped more than 20 degrees nearly instantly and the dirt road turned into a river in spots. I was freezing, bonking, losing my shit as I limped into the finish for the 3rd time to claim 4th place in the co ed duo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcNfQ8nGzOt9sfvIOmS2fzjPxhBRsjDUZBUJ7t0MsJy0a8gUR6MxKyayfr-68ZYH95Pa7VgJVHqmQ4DhIQ3-6ERpZrpKLc9fSNFlsDo58m0pFZcLR-8Tm18MTKZqTjf9XkO5CA_Ngfj4Z/s1600/IMG_6001.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcNfQ8nGzOt9sfvIOmS2fzjPxhBRsjDUZBUJ7t0MsJy0a8gUR6MxKyayfr-68ZYH95Pa7VgJVHqmQ4DhIQ3-6ERpZrpKLc9fSNFlsDo58m0pFZcLR-8Tm18MTKZqTjf9XkO5CA_Ngfj4Z/s400/IMG_6001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671383907390117666" border="0" /></a>Eventually I was able to get warm, then the sun showed itself just as our good friend Stephanie came in. LA and I enjoyed our free beer, the great company, and some time with our dogs in the mountains as we waited and waited for the awards.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuvk28nhy0xJr_X3C65VY2MJvIxDGSHJ-iV60GMQvJt1Sf5fPrNAoDkX244irxg-v3WvbyqDcXC4gwwXp7V5v-Vhw7bl1MHH0v9opjcaV0XXtReoI_zoRf0zj963wiy_7a6L6LMXI2OpA/s1600/IMG_6018.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuvk28nhy0xJr_X3C65VY2MJvIxDGSHJ-iV60GMQvJt1Sf5fPrNAoDkX244irxg-v3WvbyqDcXC4gwwXp7V5v-Vhw7bl1MHH0v9opjcaV0XXtReoI_zoRf0zj963wiy_7a6L6LMXI2OpA/s400/IMG_6018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671383884313415954" border="0" /></a>Turns out we earned a couple of real cowboy belt buckles for finishing in under 9 hours. Great times were had as we mingled with the other racers of Arizona.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0jikEJYLkuvQvUwKluwHfQaKOikZVrqP5ANS7921-OMI55eXBG-czYoNQGQUZL8fS9CdLCneWoVr_nIgvkmt04-FTkqUZ_Mu-143Pen6Risr7QyvgptqAEKh779NwqbSwCZlv8uc98Hf/s1600/IMG_6016.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0jikEJYLkuvQvUwKluwHfQaKOikZVrqP5ANS7921-OMI55eXBG-czYoNQGQUZL8fS9CdLCneWoVr_nIgvkmt04-FTkqUZ_Mu-143Pen6Risr7QyvgptqAEKh779NwqbSwCZlv8uc98Hf/s400/IMG_6016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671383881943521138" border="0" /></a><br />As always I have Trek bicycles, Bontrager parts, and Dales bikes to thank for my success. I also need to give a shout to <a href="http://www.hubeventproductions.com/">HUB EVENT PRODUCTIONS and Mike Melley</a>. Mike and Co. was a big help getting us to the event and with registration, would not have been here without them! Thanks, Mike!<br /><br />This race officially ended my season. I have been doing some low key road racing for training, short track, and group rides in the Phoenix area.<br /><br />My next planned event is actually another duo relay race with my most awesome girlfriend at the 12 hours of Papago in December. Should be a great time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBejbX1d_Bj2ejVt4q_wNkHiywRQXzmPZHz46t5R_uFu-rqeK4QrDZ86_kjoibZC8Soo-6qBSdJ6m2vyyPqNcD6Vbh3jYUaS_y4CyriJfPYKU98TcFSN91foyWURyg7TksPrXmUX6hY8l/s1600/IMG_6025.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBejbX1d_Bj2ejVt4q_wNkHiywRQXzmPZHz46t5R_uFu-rqeK4QrDZ86_kjoibZC8Soo-6qBSdJ6m2vyyPqNcD6Vbh3jYUaS_y4CyriJfPYKU98TcFSN91foyWURyg7TksPrXmUX6hY8l/s400/IMG_6025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671381885663899570" border="0" /></a></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-23676174397437429562011-10-20T00:31:00.001-07:002011-10-20T21:26:52.943-07:00Vulture's Knob Double Down Enduro<span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" > <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz4_X3h3wBAOanWO53XuXJPLsf1o0Z6H5ErJ6L6gWCCWz-LC6Yg36oo0l064Bc-b_6XMWzVHz9e2bzbYNTHt6PnqX-trLwpakdMo4i3dlOWdyoy7B6Ikh5B198r4MQow5Yr7QztO9QH5_/s1600/knob.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz4_X3h3wBAOanWO53XuXJPLsf1o0Z6H5ErJ6L6gWCCWz-LC6Yg36oo0l064Bc-b_6XMWzVHz9e2bzbYNTHt6PnqX-trLwpakdMo4i3dlOWdyoy7B6Ikh5B198r4MQow5Yr7QztO9QH5_/s400/knob.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665473775236925794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Next on the list of Ohio races was </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.331racing.com/cms/vultures_knob/index.html">Vulture's Knob Double Down Enduro</a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This was a double distance cross country race on a rather technical course. Vulture's Knob is the site of my very first mountain bike race, as well as </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/profile.php?id=703348922">Lee-Ann's</a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> first. Also one of our favorite courses. A technical mix of speed, climbing, and some crazy bridges...The Knob is forever evolving. It's truly an xc playground.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I love V-Knob, I love long races, </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">and I love the heat. This day I got to mix all three into a cocktail of fun and pain!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Temps were again near 90 with high humidity. My girl LA was the only female brave enough to enter the expert class, everyone else sandbagged to avoid death by heat exhaustion. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lining up at the start I was excited to race my old rivals and my favorite racecourse of all time. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Finally after some jibber jabbering by the race officials we were off and racing. I got a great start out front and promptly dropped my chain entangling it in the crankset. I dismounted and repaired, all the while being passed by wave after wave of slower racers. I lost valuable time as I waited to pass in the tight singletrack. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Not panicking yet though, this was a double distance race and I had the better part of 3 hours to make up my time. Also coming off of the Arizona Mountain bike series I had plenty of fitness and heat tolerance to spare....so I bowed my head to the gods of speed and went to work. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I was focused and riding well, however could not help but think of how a little preparation would have had me at the front of the pack already. Old lesson learned over again.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">About half-way into the race I started to get some time gaps yelled to me, I was in 2nd place only about 3 minutes behind 1st. "Wow" I thought, "a lot of racers must have dropped out" as I did'nt recall passing too many. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Now was my chance, but the gap was growing and no matter what I tried I was unable to close in on first. I ended up finishing second just a few minutes out of first after nearly 50 miles of racing. The winner was not even able to make it to the podium as he was suffering from severe dehydration and /or heat exhaustion.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Later looking at my lap times they were pretty equal to the winner with the exception of my mechanical lap. This could have been a really great competition! Oh well, I will fight another day.</span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_6Ugk18JKuCuyihYhcrV9AOB80l4O2PmUdOGwk20ZfdH_ZKnbIAw8cdt83lJo2DgT0p990zVQF-svgI4o2WAkqpYQUG-t3oP_AhQOtIyfpsj7TlvMaYrc4bcnX8szuHtqyf1WNR1_BqX/s1600/282046_2078486054591_1618217064_2063002_5274166_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_6Ugk18JKuCuyihYhcrV9AOB80l4O2PmUdOGwk20ZfdH_ZKnbIAw8cdt83lJo2DgT0p990zVQF-svgI4o2WAkqpYQUG-t3oP_AhQOtIyfpsj7TlvMaYrc4bcnX8szuHtqyf1WNR1_BqX/s400/282046_2078486054591_1618217064_2063002_5274166_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665474369271345378" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5pYUnTPUzbC3Vma0g8tdSAFEGmlPccNU0tISj1JsRB28YXj0qDS27Gw9i_TyuOEVMGXOxLQw9WXj9uGQBzc31-5kAz96mh-5HFYbFpI1ZC0BSP4maOFv-K9J_Sxl40B1FMJofuWJPn7D/s1600/281359_10150322296243923_703348922_9352506_2626503_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5pYUnTPUzbC3Vma0g8tdSAFEGmlPccNU0tISj1JsRB28YXj0qDS27Gw9i_TyuOEVMGXOxLQw9WXj9uGQBzc31-5kAz96mh-5HFYbFpI1ZC0BSP4maOFv-K9J_Sxl40B1FMJofuWJPn7D/s400/281359_10150322296243923_703348922_9352506_2626503_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665474283532476002" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lee-Ann showed off her solid base fitness by finishing strong in the heat. Taking her loyal dog, Pueblo along on her final 8 mile lap.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">After the race we got to hang out with some really great, long time friends, the dj began spinning some beats, the laser's blasted and the kegs flowed. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I was reminded of all the reasons I grew to love racing bicycles. The friendship, nature, fresh air, endorphins....the list just goes on and on.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Before we blew out of town I got schooled in the art of road crits, visited with the famdamily, went to Tennessee just to visit </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/the-Burrito-Meal/371209294174">Burrito Meal</a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">, and had all different kinds of fun! </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Next up is Barn Burner....man I have some catching up to do!!!</span></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-4951994890799499582011-10-06T19:31:00.001-07:002011-10-06T20:14:00.524-07:00East Fork OMBC race<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_jDC0c2RrKZIOrB9BcmHbT4UDHoZNRbFmbUae-4CVYg5w5RpcfBlVWaJllqoZkqgsjth2N0KM2Uy-foutCrlpmqGfH75c-eR4wTsRkGKSzGDkNcuznd8popU-OjkTNk9gJ5-XwkYXOSH/s1600/206005_10150326250163923_703348922_9392755_8219265_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_jDC0c2RrKZIOrB9BcmHbT4UDHoZNRbFmbUae-4CVYg5w5RpcfBlVWaJllqoZkqgsjth2N0KM2Uy-foutCrlpmqGfH75c-eR4wTsRkGKSzGDkNcuznd8popU-OjkTNk9gJ5-XwkYXOSH/s400/206005_10150326250163923_703348922_9392755_8219265_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660582003087428642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Ok so first off I have no photos from this race....so here are a few from a really fun group ride I did in Pittsburgh with some new and old friends...at least you have something to look at!<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">With the official end of the State Championship Series and the onset of triple digit heat, I decided it was a good time to focus more on other things like work and family. Boring I know but I have squeezed a few races worth talking about in during that time!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOqJtwghVG4wW89jHxdObAiN9ArA1-mM2c7QPh0Esdy5PtDyjKpgyUSMBuEBUQlfi0rPEuD426IHGk59OvuM5-YB_lkgYno1oj_P2GR49vd52msNKGAS1CO-HUUYqmyr0mYRMMI6DuV8O/s1600/266521_1917598387896_1480097134_31764858_8037862_o.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOqJtwghVG4wW89jHxdObAiN9ArA1-mM2c7QPh0Esdy5PtDyjKpgyUSMBuEBUQlfi0rPEuD426IHGk59OvuM5-YB_lkgYno1oj_P2GR49vd52msNKGAS1CO-HUUYqmyr0mYRMMI6DuV8O/s400/266521_1917598387896_1480097134_31764858_8037862_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660575215549036034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">First....road trip! My </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/profile.php?id=703348922">Rockstar</a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> and I decided to drive "home" to the Ohio/Pennsylvania area to visit some friends and family...and do some racing!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">First up was the Ohio State Championship Race at East Fork State Park. I really enjoy this course, probably the fastest in Ohio.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">After driving for 3 days straight we pulled into the race venue. It was extremely humid and hot, the trails were slightly muddy with lots of clay, roots, and high speed turns. Very little climbing to speak of.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Off we went on my first East Coast race of the year. I stayed tucked into the pack on the road start and got into the singletrack in 3rd position. The trail was fast but slick. We were all trying to push the pace without balling it up. The top 3 of us quickly got a gap on the rest of the field and continued together through the first lap.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Going into lap 2 I was having a hard time holding onto first and second, and they slowly formed a gap. The gap grew throughout that lap and I knew I was likely not catching them at this point. The fast speeds allow for drafting so once a gap is opened between racers it is very difficult to close. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The third and final lap I decided to play it cool and save my energy just in case someone came up from the rear.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">And someone did! A long time rival and very fast racer was slowly gaining on me. I kept hearing some bike noises but whenever I looked back I did not see him. Somehow he crept up on me and about 3 miles from the finish he was suddenly on my wheel! Panic Time!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Just as I looked behind me I went off trail striking a tree with my shoulder and this dude flew right around me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Jumping back on the bike I attacked hard and caught up quite quickly, staying in his draft over the next few minutes of trail. He was racing all out trying to lose me...which was perfect for me, as he used up his precious and limited energy I was cruising behind in his slipstream, just waiting for him to croak.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">And he did! Only a mile or so from the finish he lost his handling and crashed down over a drop off to the side of the trail and I had only to ride hard into the finish to clinch my podium spot!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">LA also finished 3rd after destroying her rear wheel on the final lap and limping into the finish.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Luckily we had a spare wheel as the double distance race at Vulture's Knob was up next!</span><br /><br /></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-10149050222104117902011-09-13T16:07:00.000-07:002011-09-13T16:13:08.674-07:00Bike Racing Is Expensive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwOVbRMXaWNShyYX6GXYr9rND1UPxZ6AUakaBltfs7m_Pm0_OwasFUpjguuL1xPlR9iQABimH51OMoKZp2Sv7CptM9fr_ZyasFnN5ZAPioAM00uzzkAEqLSgIObdXieDy9WbiPEJgRPSq/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwOVbRMXaWNShyYX6GXYr9rND1UPxZ6AUakaBltfs7m_Pm0_OwasFUpjguuL1xPlR9iQABimH51OMoKZp2Sv7CptM9fr_ZyasFnN5ZAPioAM00uzzkAEqLSgIObdXieDy9WbiPEJgRPSq/s400/IMG_2884.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651986002637225250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqGVLiWE_trLliAnAlwkxPV32rTjSu3cQtxg1xL853zzSmFlVQi3WCIsA4XSbK9L7kLoPWBx9EoV3VC55qzoFdvN646HlfwqJB5xZ1TkMknp24pz_lEH3VWjQKKfm7445jjUznQSERQxr/s1600/IMG_3451.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqGVLiWE_trLliAnAlwkxPV32rTjSu3cQtxg1xL853zzSmFlVQi3WCIsA4XSbK9L7kLoPWBx9EoV3VC55qzoFdvN646HlfwqJB5xZ1TkMknp24pz_lEH3VWjQKKfm7445jjUznQSERQxr/s400/IMG_3451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651985754386635586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I am constantly reminded of how expensive bike racing can be. As I install my 3rd drive train this season and second pair of shoes I am reminded of how important sponsorship is. Thanks to the good folks at Trek/Bontrager/Dales Bike Shop in Ohio and Bob Myers. I would be forced into a cheaper sport such as running without the backup my sponsors provide. </span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I have also been doing just a bit of racing since our Arizona XC series ended in July. Updates on that coming soon. But for now it's out with the old and in with the new as I prepare for pre-season fun/training racesbeginning in about a month.<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-72215134163066538122011-07-07T10:03:00.000-07:002011-07-07T11:43:13.452-07:00McWilliams Warp-Final MBAA Race and Series awards ceremony<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4rIjYXmDwSvVo4179ESh-akKWTb_f39sD4cDAiMaoDdNBvGiOI4C7tPJWYc-Fy9H98IeKxZbwZkfY7Qkzq-3ZxzBqYOydwaTTCA7opHHmsuEMzruFvhVnibbmCkICzlPSHetuxX_Zn0i/s1600/267300_10150210143232242_135929597241_7513724_479584_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4rIjYXmDwSvVo4179ESh-akKWTb_f39sD4cDAiMaoDdNBvGiOI4C7tPJWYc-Fy9H98IeKxZbwZkfY7Qkzq-3ZxzBqYOydwaTTCA7opHHmsuEMzruFvhVnibbmCkICzlPSHetuxX_Zn0i/s400/267300_10150210143232242_135929597241_7513724_479584_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626667779063159570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">McWillaiams Warp....MBAA final race of 2011 was scheduled to take place in Williams, AZ last weekend. Williams is situated around 7000ft elevation and so is generally much cooler than Phoenix. Unfortunately the Arizona wildfires closed all state forests just days before our race...officials were forced to find a new venue for our final race. Ironically they choose </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">McDowell Mountain Park which was the location of our first race of the season as well!</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">With temps of around 110 predicted we were forced to start at sunrise around 530am. This ensure the survival of all.<br /><br />I had been training hard for this race and was feeling good the morning of. I like this course and also enjoy racing in the heat so things were looking pretty good. I knew I just needed to finish in order to clinch the state championship but I really wanted a podium spot as well.<br /><br />Wavering on my race strategy I decided last minute to just "go for it" and race as hard as possible.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />There were some really fast guys on the line and once we were off and racing I found myself in second place of the 4 leaders.<br /><br />Slowly but surely our pace increased and my handling started to get sloppy, I was going all out as we swapped positions over and over again the first lap.<br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We all slid out or slipped up on the fast, slick, sandy trails and made our own mistakes. Unfortunately mine was rather costly as I was forced to make a quick repair to the bike on trail near the end of lap 1. I lost contact with the other guys and continued to chase them for the rest of the day. Racing in the desert provided an opportunity to see the guys I was chasing even as they were nearly one minute ahead. This helped me to keep the pace high and push as hard as possible....hard enough to crash out a few more times and ruin my chances at a podium spot. I was reminded once again that sometimes you go faster by going a little slower and finally rolled in less than a minute from my podi</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">um spot in 4th place.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xtlOSyvC3PQ17GLdSAXIaKysOUmzwfK3B4KaDZayrrpPX3J9BTXm2hIq_fcBjU9VT7pXLLzhGbwmjUVdDvtL0ZCLgeYjwtfLeGvu5-FnbliB5sJaqPRcDhBuXqhMmEfSc0U1e4LStjoc/s1600/IMG_5759%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xtlOSyvC3PQ17GLdSAXIaKysOUmzwfK3B4KaDZayrrpPX3J9BTXm2hIq_fcBjU9VT7pXLLzhGbwmjUVdDvtL0ZCLgeYjwtfLeGvu5-FnbliB5sJaqPRcDhBuXqhMmEfSc0U1e4LStjoc/s400/IMG_5759%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626663196570039746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">At some point I brushed an evil Cholla cactus and the spines went deep into my calf. It was extremely painful in a "charlie horse" kinda way whenever I would coast on the downhills but there was nothing that could be done without a pair of pliers. These are also known as "jumping cactus" as they seeming jump onto you as you pass by.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcmD2SMTt59egg6SYlIUSu6r-aOtZckxaIdfBP6GKommEPRc5Sns0yaUJPbRstVmjZ40xK8VMVigw0KzFL209ARS4rXRWAz6STLKWYvWAf-8r6xJBmErWZf-y-Et2oe1vG918lMg-FmR3/s1600/IMG_3379.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcmD2SMTt59egg6SYlIUSu6r-aOtZckxaIdfBP6GKommEPRc5Sns0yaUJPbRstVmjZ40xK8VMVigw0KzFL209ARS4rXRWAz6STLKWYvWAf-8r6xJBmErWZf-y-Et2oe1vG918lMg-FmR3/s400/IMG_3379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626673120046284626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />The good news is that I finished in position to take the 2011 Pro Men </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Arizona State Championship Title! This was pretty exciting for me as it was my goal when I arrived here 6 months ago and only my second state championship title of my cycling career!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />So as I was competing in my final Arizona Series XC race my rock star girlfriend L-A was competing in her first bike race in Arizona and of 2011. I was stoked to see her back in action and reunited with the podium again! She is quickly earning a reputation on and off the bike in the local cycling scene!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEFQIaUCvn-bPrp_CzIzhuFyHDcXV_TsnO6KuXVl8rRI7pp7nuNvwecdlhKLeZrKEWwPHtP15FDR-EcoNBx0pirtk0XuE9g4eg9Lr8cKVMrTkz3yMf3UJEgQ7IBni4ROy2IkPFox8IUmY/s1600/IMG_3384.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim392pliTIhrg60DU9p8VzJA7sFWF87GVYJlf81h2fwZHctHKRhT24P7mmoAzLhcaUndNzQnWJdx0P4SHg9jNuf0VLYBMCT_1L2QjJaDc_R5XAiiAM7R6or_ZEuHBwqqsMwZ3G_9GDe2AC/s1600/IMG_3288.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim392pliTIhrg60DU9p8VzJA7sFWF87GVYJlf81h2fwZHctHKRhT24P7mmoAzLhcaUndNzQnWJdx0P4SHg9jNuf0VLYBMCT_1L2QjJaDc_R5XAiiAM7R6or_ZEuHBwqqsMwZ3G_9GDe2AC/s400/IMG_3288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626660062152417762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC24BJ4M8rHv0yryOb_5W9UPFXOngY1x13FuX0Vyt4LPewbAYZsLb9XJ2aXv1JbRnGGEgpi9hSkDfzzN9d6-US2NHX36H-uuHilB2SDgfa9TycK4PliI40VkDQB5MDvcMZgOhHY0miXfpm/s1600/IMG_3301.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC24BJ4M8rHv0yryOb_5W9UPFXOngY1x13FuX0Vyt4LPewbAYZsLb9XJ2aXv1JbRnGGEgpi9hSkDfzzN9d6-US2NHX36H-uuHilB2SDgfa9TycK4PliI40VkDQB5MDvcMZgOhHY0miXfpm/s400/IMG_3301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626659825978015602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVInJa-rwtBoo9HIVa9zPdAENr3F9zKwFStuSZfVn_FWroaKFgrRHkWYYk68gFxfd667xZHmSKSbfczjE6wXXKXwGvZ37EzCPoUUk6kj-hrsyvZpMtlb_EGZcdZP0aKowoLqCkOr_L65r/s1600/IMG_5762.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVInJa-rwtBoo9HIVa9zPdAENr3F9zKwFStuSZfVn_FWroaKFgrRHkWYYk68gFxfd667xZHmSKSbfczjE6wXXKXwGvZ37EzCPoUUk6kj-hrsyvZpMtlb_EGZcdZP0aKowoLqCkOr_L65r/s400/IMG_5762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626662159896896146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >After the racing was over and my spines were removed by the medics I got to hang with all of our new cycling friends, old cycling friends, new/old cycling friends and my girlfriend. (she is such a bad ass)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Looking back on the season I was impressed by the number of talented cyclists of all skill levels who I see at races and out on the trails. Phoenix has a very large and varied cycling scene and it's been my dream for some time to live in a place like this! The turn outs for some of the races were surprisingly large and others surprisingly small. The race courses were varied and fun but lacked technical terrain for the most part. There is a very large group of junior racers which is promising. The race entry fees were among the highest I have seen anywhere and the cash paybacks were among the lowest. Switching to a hardtail mid-season was very difficult for me. Getting used to a new riding style, bike, pedaling cadence was like learning to ride again but kept things interesting in a way I had never considered. In the long run it was a great decision...not because I prefer a hardtail but because my bike and I needed something "fresh" in our relationship.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A big I O U goes out to Bob Myers and <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/">Trek Bicycle</a> for keeping me on the best racing bikes and products available. I absolutely could not have done this without the help of Trek and my other sponsors: Dales <a href="http://www.dalesbikeshop.com/">Bike Shop</a> in Oberlin Ohio and <a href="http://www.bontrager.com/">Bontrager</a> clothing and components.<br /><br />Next up I think I may show my face at an Ohio race or two and then venture into the world of ultra endurance mtb, and maybe some road or cyclocross races this fall.<br /></span></span></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-9595254819883835292011-06-15T18:51:00.000-07:002011-06-17T01:13:31.742-07:00Arizona State XC Series Race #7 "Flagstaff Frenzy"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Trails in Flagstaff are some of the best anywhere, or so I had heard. Our second to last race in the series found me at the base of Mt. Humphrey, the highest peak in Arizona. Since this venue is so distant from my house I was unable to preride the course. This always makes for an exciting race but also puts me at a slight disadvantage.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Temps were in the 70s under sunny skies, the starting grid was stacked with some really fast guys. Among them was my nearest rival "Mimmo" along with the regulars and some new faces too. Mimmo and I were going into this race at 1st and 2nd respectively in points (me in the lead) and I suspect neither of us had done the math to know just how important this race was. It didn't matter, we both were going to race as hard as possible just like we always do. My point is we were both visibly focused on winning and there was a "seriousness" on the start line that was not present at previous races.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The start of the race was fast, I got a decent start and held the Italian's wheel as we snaked feverishly through the mostly flat, dry, and extremely fast singletrack. There was a group of about 4 of us that battled for the lead as we took turns almost crashing in the dusty turns. I tried to stay as close as possible to get in the draft and avoid the large amounts of dust coming up from our treads. We were going at a really hard pace for me, I was drooling already and I knew I would not be able to hold this effort for long, but my plan was to hold onto my rival at all costs so that's what I did.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">He was riding very well this day and there was a few other really fast Pro's at this one too. Before long the sandy singletrack pointed upward and we began to climb up an ancient lava flow. This was essentially a very technical, long ascent up a boulder field. Having spent all my coins trying to stay with the leaders I simply did not have the effort or trail familiarity to ride smoothly in this section and I watched helplessly as I fell back several places towards the back of the pack. It seemed like this section went on forever before we finally were spit out onto a steep dirt road. Heading for the sky I concentrated on drinking, I was out in the full sun at altitude and I could "sense" the fluids rapidly leaving my body. The dirt road went on forever and it did not level out at all. We climbed nearly 30 minutes and I began to see some of my rivals again as we neared the top.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This brought back some hope of a decent finish and I began to think about a new race strategy. Just then, as I was "just riding along", I experienced a devastating mechanical failure. I will not bore you with the details but my day was over.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Knowing anything was possible I decided to finish the race as long as I was able to pedal my bike.....and I was able to pedal, slowly and occasionally between frequent repairs. I actually was surprised the bike held together enough to finish the race and I was not too far back from the leaders considering how much time I spent stopped on the side of the trail. Of course I had finished in last place but I had finished and this was to be my last opportunity to gain points on my rival.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">It was too bad I had to have bad luck at this one as Flagstaff has some ripping trails with phenomenal views, thick ponderosa forests, (the largest in the world), and real dirt.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Luckily for me Mimmo, who had led much of the race, imploded at some point as well and finished just off of the podium, keeping my hopes of a state championship title alive.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have just one more week to prepare for the final/mandatory championship race in Williams, AZ on June 25th! I am hoping to go out in a blaze of ....some sort!<br /><br />And let's not forget the post race/end of season party! </span><br /><br /></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-48839714743344123892011-06-07T00:41:00.000-07:002011-06-07T01:41:35.423-07:00Prescott Punisher Arizona State XC Race #6<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Prescott was host to the MBAA race #6, dubbed "The Prescott Punisher". This area has some really great riding. Sandy singletrack through Pine Forests. Large granite boulders, tree roots, elevation, views....I could go on and on. My point is I was pumped to return to this terrain even though my last race here did not go so well. Prescott has a cool vibe and this really cool brewery that I seem to get sucked into over and over.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My girl L.A. and I arrived extra early in order to do some volunteer work before the race got started. The weather was perfect, 70s, calm, sunny, and some of the bluest skies I have ever witnessed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The morning went by quickly and as usual start time arrived before I was really ready for it. I had been able to ride a few sections of the course and had a vague idea of what I was in for. We were to do 5 laps so I had some time to learn the terrain during the race.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">11a.m. arrived and we were off and racing! I grabbed a crappy start as we struggled through the gravely sand pit that was the start line. A quick parade lap around the start/finish zone and we were finally out into hardpack single track.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgTqfPckvZYl1BL1ebfUj9nR5_VmPEPtcS5r1Vu05tck5qcq-OrKhcmJgshQ7F4RNSdoiO7W_kDytVlqKEjqsymgu4h5HGCGBlgMTfDRhzllt5XK0CjVqmpAuIdEKO9qQ3t4XtuXdvjcp/s1600/226403_10150249615978923_703348922_8678307_6542718_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgTqfPckvZYl1BL1ebfUj9nR5_VmPEPtcS5r1Vu05tck5qcq-OrKhcmJgshQ7F4RNSdoiO7W_kDytVlqKEjqsymgu4h5HGCGBlgMTfDRhzllt5XK0CjVqmpAuIdEKO9qQ3t4XtuXdvjcp/s400/226403_10150249615978923_703348922_8678307_6542718_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615379934355607122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">As the trail turned uphill I began to move forward and was shortly into 4th place or so as we climbed a moderate double track climb for the next several minutes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">We were going UP up UP and then it was finally time to start one of the many awesome downhills. The trail snaked quickly downward with huge bermed turns, some dips, and a super slickery gravel type consistency, very fast and very sketchy. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">By the end of lap 1 I had moved into third and struggled to stay within reach of Mimmo and another rider. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsvW320-5PnO02zSfm_4W73l75ZfyGDAXaQ5gLpQ2t3caYZStawv0h2Xlwc-yIYI1eAHqRUTzZNnQ_CQu9u2yDw-OXIgTSbcZYBMlsfwVKdIOc3KY4i8pBokJNgNQftJEAQJL0OwS_rqr/s1600/250881_184669878249673_101847693198559_428061_2027577_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsvW320-5PnO02zSfm_4W73l75ZfyGDAXaQ5gLpQ2t3caYZStawv0h2Xlwc-yIYI1eAHqRUTzZNnQ_CQu9u2yDw-OXIgTSbcZYBMlsfwVKdIOc3KY4i8pBokJNgNQftJEAQJL0OwS_rqr/s400/250881_184669878249673_101847693198559_428061_2027577_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615381042852999970" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The three of us rode within sight of each other for nearly an hour. All the while the gaps between us grew steadily. The course was very fast in most spots and pretty technical in others. Not like anything I had raced on yet. The first 10 minutes was really fast long ups and long downs, but the second half of the lap was very techy, tight, and twisty with shorter, power climbs. There were a couple big jumps on the downhills too so I was of course airing it out a couple times per lap :)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bontrager.com/">BONTRAGER</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 29-2 tires have become my new "go to" tires for all conditions. They grip great on the loose stuff and still roll plenty fast on the hard stuff....I like em! Going to ride them every race for the rest of the season.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/">TREK </a>SUPERFLY was perfect for this course. 29 inch wheels gave me tons of grip on the loose surface and confidence on the downs. The superlight frame puts all my power into turning the wheels so I crest climbs faster and fresher.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORQ7ilrtsMHufOc2vPrTuudd9cB_As8-PE2uX2dnjrHopNnVDOj-UE3O0xSI9j9HuSSZiTHXgE-8sK29OeiIXqXGm_K-yI6QIP3AQ4h0T5N1_f3HwZ9f82PV65CbY_RELMR7n7Z9__iqk/s1600/248343_10150249616253923_703348922_8678310_2596175_n.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORQ7ilrtsMHufOc2vPrTuudd9cB_As8-PE2uX2dnjrHopNnVDOj-UE3O0xSI9j9HuSSZiTHXgE-8sK29OeiIXqXGm_K-yI6QIP3AQ4h0T5N1_f3HwZ9f82PV65CbY_RELMR7n7Z9__iqk/s400/248343_10150249616253923_703348922_8678310_2596175_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615380515202619282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eventually by lap 5 I lost sight of everyone and rode in by myself. I had been pushing hard hoping to catch 2nd place somewhere but it just never happened. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Third place would have to do and I was not unhappy with that. I felt great, rode well, and for once would not have changed a thing about this race. It was a great day on the bike!<br /><br />After the race we enjoyed the sunshine, people, and yes the brewery! Truly a day to remember.<br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX17ttDAgdLLfZKIyO9W4Y7BqrszZ_5kqcvAttkCgyyYyChuFTo6KuoIz80aqeihP7gYl7g-XQJ5pcxWSqHGzcz3oFgbyZoAfbIObo3JNM548duak4YtzYFRkCQit-h86ElINEVWPWq2v7/s1600/242193_2097948886620_1182310978_32642141_3421145_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX17ttDAgdLLfZKIyO9W4Y7BqrszZ_5kqcvAttkCgyyYyChuFTo6KuoIz80aqeihP7gYl7g-XQJ5pcxWSqHGzcz3oFgbyZoAfbIObo3JNM548duak4YtzYFRkCQit-h86ElINEVWPWq2v7/s400/242193_2097948886620_1182310978_32642141_3421145_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615380077240962402" border="0" /></a></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-540730083496930272011-05-15T12:39:00.001-07:002011-05-16T01:51:05.140-07:00Globe Grind<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uNiHXOhfHaNzMrGgGEe4oaYGBIEbu6pOuC0TwnXcFBOVOJp0ia_VxDskuZcIMZrz4JWf_yOmyq5fFsA1RSIOgsegSjzd1WgkEYtfI9MU7CXoZ9n6cdU7_d-11NgB3XCnGEeMuR39IduT/s1600/Unnamed%25284%2529.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uNiHXOhfHaNzMrGgGEe4oaYGBIEbu6pOuC0TwnXcFBOVOJp0ia_VxDskuZcIMZrz4JWf_yOmyq5fFsA1RSIOgsegSjzd1WgkEYtfI9MU7CXoZ9n6cdU7_d-11NgB3XCnGEeMuR39IduT/s400/Unnamed%25284%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607030182309535842" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Last Saturday was Arizona's State Championship series number 5 of 8. The venue was located in Globe and I had no idea what kind of trails to expect.<br /><br />After a scenic drive through some beautiful country we arrived at the venue. The turnout was pretty small,only 5 guys in my category. A short preride of the course was quickly abandoned as hilly dirt roads led to more hilly dirt roads. I finished my warm up on the pavement and lined up for the start.<br /><br />Temps were in the low 90's and I was happy about this since every race so far this year has been rather cold for my taste. USA cycling dude sent us off and we immediately hit a series of steep dirt road climbs which split the pack up pretty well. The current state champ was off the front and I fell into second place as the Italian Mimmo Fuita was not far behind me. After the steep climbs the road leveled and for the next 15 minutes we struggled into the wind up a mild grade.<br /><br />Not knowing the course I took a wrong turn at an intersection and fell into 3rd as we began a hilly and rocky 4 miles of atv trail. The hills were steep and loose, most of us were walking them and just for good measure there was nearly a mile of deep deep sand. Riding through the sand was miserable, It was indeed ridable at max effort but getting off and walking was nearly as fast. Considering we were racing I decided to ride it and save a couple seconds rather than walking to save energy.<br /><br />The long downhill back to the start was a sweet way to end the loop and grab a fresh bottle of water. Speaking of water I should have had more. Going into lap 2 I finished that bottle right away but was able to move into 2nd place again and put some time on Mimmo. It was hot and the course seemed harder than the first lap. I was racing hard (of course) and going into my final lap I started to get concerned about my hydration. I was feeling very hot and the mouth was getting dry and those are both bad signs.<br /><br />Racing in the desert heat and full sun dehydration can creep up very quickly. For the entire final lap I continued to ride slower and slower as I lost fluids. I was taking baby sips from my bottle in order to preserve it for as long as possible. What I really wanted was to chug it down and then have two more!<br /><br />Luckily for me I did hold out until the end and crossed the line feeling like throwing up. I drank and drank for the rest of the day and most of the night and made a mental note : "bring more water than you need" for the next venue.<br /><br />This was a big finish for me and a nice podium spot towards the state championship series. The final 3 races are all at altitude and I am a bit nervous about this. Currently I lead the series but not by much and there are a couple contenders who have me in their sights.<br /><br />The next race is back in Prescott where I "shit the bed" at the Whiskey 50 a couple weeks ago. And then I hope to return to Ohio for the Mohican 100. Will I repeat the shitting in the bed or will the sheets remain clean?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODq4iGHaLPQ2E8iBcJQ-heL5tS96yhTOzZYHncGPVIXeS5yzw_C8hx7gciL0m3mwbCtjU090GMv1kVMOReEaHC4MSP6Py-y6sOMcCzYpB97zExa6J8pGHIxRAZ1uDc2t1YAr9762q3lhk/s1600/Unnamed%25283%2529.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODq4iGHaLPQ2E8iBcJQ-heL5tS96yhTOzZYHncGPVIXeS5yzw_C8hx7gciL0m3mwbCtjU090GMv1kVMOReEaHC4MSP6Py-y6sOMcCzYpB97zExa6J8pGHIxRAZ1uDc2t1YAr9762q3lhk/s400/Unnamed%25283%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607030321032149250" border="0" /></a>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-33806332892488660172011-05-07T20:08:00.000-07:002011-05-07T22:00:42.785-07:00The Wiskey 50<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtgPTv96Hxyg1BsmLTMVLlGyU0DWApADjVKE6BMN5Fte8uEEBbXEV-Jmccb3QYJ5uyov-6tHJeryWq0h5Xi7vWqHxoaK-SIunHOfuBNn1KkySdR_6mfRd13bd0kdm96bauY70JmmPb5qn/s1600/whiskeybig.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtgPTv96Hxyg1BsmLTMVLlGyU0DWApADjVKE6BMN5Fte8uEEBbXEV-Jmccb3QYJ5uyov-6tHJeryWq0h5Xi7vWqHxoaK-SIunHOfuBNn1KkySdR_6mfRd13bd0kdm96bauY70JmmPb5qn/s400/whiskeybig.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604198795855243698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>My long weekend in Prescott, Az began Friday morning at the "mandatory" pre-race meeting. Followed by the evening's "mandatory" Fat Tire Crit aka Road Race on Mountain Bikes. We were to do 30 minutes plus 3 laps on a very hilly road course. The video can explain it better than I can although its a bit difficult to see just how steep these roads were.</p><p><br /></p><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/23088407?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" frameborder="0" height="225"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/groups/440/videos/23088407">2011 Whiskey Off-Road Pro Men Fat tire Crit</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1473098">Yuki Ikeda</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><p>It was hard for sure but I was able to maintain a mid pack position until I was pulled near the end. A little more fun than the flat road crits I was used to and it made me consider road racing again after many years away.<br /></p><p>I felt pretty good despite the 5500 ft elevation and was looking forward to the big event on Sunday.<br /></p><p>Saturday was spent enjoying the town and the local trails, eating, resting, a hike with the dogs and someone special.</p><p>The trails at this altitude are more like what I grew up racing and riding on. Smooth dirt, trees, roots, logs, stream crossings...not the rocks and sand of Phoenix I have become accustomed to. The racecourse itself is impressive and can break a man in many ways. Altitude, Dangerous Descents, Unending climbs, it had all 3.<br /></p><p>The morning of the race I was nervous, the starting grid was packed with dozens of the fast guys from all over, sunny skies and temps in the high 40s, there was a cowboy with a shotgun ready to send us off.</p><p>80 racers had entered this event and without delay we were off and racing. The first 5 miles is road climbing and the pace was not too bad for most of it. As we approached the trailhead though the road steepened and the pack began to splinter. I counted about 40 guys ahead of me as we hit the singletrack and continued to climb up the mountain for another 5 miles. The trail was steepening and the dirt was loosening as we approached the top of the climb, guys were beginning to crack, pull out, walk. I was moving up and counted myself about in the mid 30s now after ascending non stop for 45 minutes. I was feeling fine about how the day was going but feeling the familiar pain that comes with this sort of fun.<br /></p><p>Suddenly I began to struggle and before long I had some sort of bonk like I have never experienced in my life. Im still not sure what happened but I was happy to make it to the top of the mountain after nearly an hour.<br /></p><p>Finally a downhill! This was a serious downhill too, nearly 9 miles with some really high speed loose sections, plenty of exposure, and really beautiful views...if only I had time to look. I passed a ton of people on this one and everything was good until the next climb. I began drinking and eating here, realizing I should have done that long ago and simply went backwards for the rest of the day as we aimed again for the sky. This 3 mile jeep road climb was STEEP and I was suffering quite badly. But after about 30 minutes of getting passed and gasping for breath I crested the top and began my descent 12 miles into Skull Valley. This was 12 miles of high speed fire road that just went on and on....and on. I was thankful to be pointed downhill but also knew that when I reached the bottom I had to turn around and climb back up. The road twisted and turned for miles without sight of a building or person, no racers in front or behind I was now just out there in the middle of nowhere racing my bike.<br /></p><p>Near the bottom of the mountain I began to pass those ahead going back up and finally realized how far back I had fallen. into the mid 40s now and half the course to go. Including the 12 miles back up the fire road followed by the most awesome 8 miles of singletrack downhill back to town.</p><p>Climbing out of skull valley was pretty sad. I was hoping to have good legs after some food and drink and make up some time but I simply spun my way up in baby gears praying for the top while feeling bad. This went on for oh about an hour and it was misery. Near the top I knew it was mostly downhill so I gave it whatever was left and cruised into the finish in just under 4 hours for 46th place. The final singletrack downhill was especially sweet as we cruised through a burnt forest, down the mountain into several stream crossings, some rock gardens, and finally some road down to the finish.<br /></p><p>It was a bad day on the bike but I was still happy to see the course, meet some new and old friends, and explore Prescott for the weekend.</p><p>This was also my first race on my new Superfly Hardtail. After 1o years racing full suspension I have decided it may be time for change. It's like learning how to ride again but this thing is light <a onclick="BLOG_showLabels(); return false" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2306988089625251652#" id="show-labels-link">Show all</a>at 20 lbs and feels fast on the climbs.</p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8n7qrw4zeu1y9Jc08_hctjaV-OmxH4iyM9TGkAuuicdn7_SpzkprCcC-qqfVthdR-_eO53pWHuKW6t29JZctpl6MuErdC01Hbg3eus8Zw2Ot4jsKLAdtywsHcxAaWMNNbixo0LHna4gY/s1600/2011_Whiskey_MAP_50.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8n7qrw4zeu1y9Jc08_hctjaV-OmxH4iyM9TGkAuuicdn7_SpzkprCcC-qqfVthdR-_eO53pWHuKW6t29JZctpl6MuErdC01Hbg3eus8Zw2Ot4jsKLAdtywsHcxAaWMNNbixo0LHna4gY/s400/2011_Whiskey_MAP_50.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604199250017801058" border="0" /></a></p>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-55972153886924600222011-03-31T23:16:00.000-07:002011-04-01T00:30:36.370-07:00Fontana Triple Crown U S Cup 2011<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Last weekend I traveled to Fontana, California to compete in the US CUP #2. This "Triple Crown Event" offered the xc and Super D on Saturday followed by Short Track Sunday afternoon. This was to be my first Big National Race as a Pro and I was hoping for a top 40 finish.<br /><br />Saturday I arrived just in time to the overcast skies and cool temps. The venue was on a mountain right in the middle of suburbia. If you watch the videos you can see for yourself what I am talking about. After the old registration and warm up routine I lined up with about 100 of the fastest racers in the country. There were teams from several other countries as well. I actually got a call up although it was at about 60th position on the line so it was little help.<br /><br />Before long we were off and racing! The start was a quick series of S turns that caused a huge "yo yo" effect in the pack. Back at mid pack where I was we came to a complete stop at the first few corners while the leaders sailed through and were gone.<br /><br />The course was rocky and flat near the start but quickly led up to an extremely long and steep climb. It was sandy, rutted, relentless. We were all in our lowest gear grinding up at near max effort. Some of the guys ahead slipped mid way up and we were all forced to dismount and run the remainder. As if my legs did not hurt enough already! Within a few steps the burn was intense! More than the normal amount of pain for sure. I made a mental note to stay on the bike at all costs on this climb the remaining 4 laps.<br /><br />Finally near the top of the mountain the climb leveled out and we were up to speed on some really sweet packed-sand singletrack. There were plenty of boulders here and there and the course followed the ridge of the mountain for a while before the downhill. What a downhill it was! High speed, swoopy, scenic, two wheeled fun! Then a little bit of road leading to the start finish where we would do it all again.<br /><br />Our class was extremely spread out, there was little passing opportunities and I took the first two laps just sitting behind people much of the time. Lap 3 was better, I finally rode the whole giant climb now that the pack was thinning. I was feeling pretty good, the bike worked great. I ran the new bontrager 29-2 tires. While they are optimized for loose conditions they work well just about anywhere and were a huge help on that long sandy climb. One slip and a racer is off the bike and walking to the top!<br /><br />Lap 4 was going good, I was getting optimistic as I saw the guys ahead of me starting to fade back. Although I was moving up it was not enough to keep me from getting lapped by the leader just before crossing the line for my final lap. I was forced to abandon and scored in my place at 66th out of around 100 guys. Not the finish I had hoped for but wow what a fun race and insane competition!<br /><br />Later that day was the super D event. It was a downhill course with one small climb in the middle. We not only competed against the top xc guys but also the top downhill guys at the race. I dropped a chain and was forced to dismount to fix it during the race but still placed 29th which I was quite happy with. The course was really fun with some pretty scary drops near the bottom, I nearly lost it near the finish to the delight of a large crowd that had gathered there. It was cool to nearly crash then save my own ass to the cheers of so many spectators!<br /><br />Finally Sunday night closed with the short track. Race. A twenty minute race around a short loop. The course was very roadie friendly and I knew I would be in trouble when I got another way back call up. I was starting near the rear and a crash at the start brought my group to a screeching halt in the first corner. By the time we got moving the leaders were way gone and the panic ensued. Our group stretched out to a single file line as we all sprinted hard trying to catch up. I was redlined beyond the redline, I blew and struggled alone a couple of laps before latching onto a rider and getting some air back into the lungs. I hung on for a couple laps, made a move to pass, and just as I was getting tired again we got pulled as the leaders approached from behind. I was not sure what to expect but I made it 16 minutes before getting pulled which I was not totally disappointed about. Overall for the weekend's Triple Crown I managed a 45th place which I suppose would be categorized as an honest ass kicking. What a humbling experience to line up next to legends and really see where I stand.<br /><br />Next up is the Whisky 50 where I will again be battling with the big guns in the Arizona high country. I suspect it's going to be Epic!<br /><br />Check out the two videos below, they give a glimpse of the giant climb and the awesome trail conditions, as well as the insane speeds we travel at on our bicycles.</span><br /><br /><iframe title="Pro Men's Highlights 2011 Fontana US Pro XCT #2" src="http://www.cyclingdirt.org/embed/MjgzNDgwMjk3" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="264"></iframe><p><a href="http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/238602-US-CUP-PRO-TRIPLE-CROWN-2-FONTANA">Watch more video of US CUP PRO TRIPLE CROWN #2 FONTANA on cyclingdirt.org</a></p><br /><br /><iframe title="Pro Men's STXC Fontana Triple Crown" src="http://www.cyclingdirt.org/embed/NDU3NDgwNzky" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="264"></iframe><p><a href="http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/238602-US-CUP-PRO-TRIPLE-CROWN-2-FONTANA">Watch more video of US CUP PRO TRIPLE CROWN #2 FONTANA on cyclingdirt.org</a></p>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-8105953731907922352011-03-23T23:47:00.000-07:002011-03-24T13:36:56.057-07:00MBAA Race #4 Foray at the Fort<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZGRDcvqXrj4joLJgUyF_OMRmliOTSSWv_Wq6-mwtpaKsLwhGPdzfZX4n6gCGRUFdfEVTRNReiNiHTGWpxmOme8jUN5xXUx3tdLT_uaq2ZuHOS4khSBWiLyQ9NgYMWO_9lNaY9VtdIp1E/s1600/3+fort+2011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZGRDcvqXrj4joLJgUyF_OMRmliOTSSWv_Wq6-mwtpaKsLwhGPdzfZX4n6gCGRUFdfEVTRNReiNiHTGWpxmOme8jUN5xXUx3tdLT_uaq2ZuHOS4khSBWiLyQ9NgYMWO_9lNaY9VtdIp1E/s400/3+fort+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587534965648318002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Foray at the Fort, MBAA race #4 was probably the most important race of the Arizona series for me. This race was worth "points and a half" so it was a good opportunity to get a good finish and some much needed points toward the state championship.<br /><br />I had trained well, stayed healthy, prepared my bike, arrived on time, all of the requred stuff to have a good finish. Located just a few miles from Mexico on a military base this course was just too far for me to make the drive down for a preride. Luckily I arrived early enough to scope out the first 2 miles of the 6 mile loop. It was all uphill, starting with a false flat and slowly working up to a loose, techy climb near the top.<br /><br />I finished my warmup and devised a psuedo race plan. Then, just as I was approaching the line and making final adjustments to my gear I broke the zipper on my jersey. Crap on a stick! The temps were cool and the course was fast so I really did not want to compete with my jersey open and flapping in the wind. Near the starting line I struggled for several minutes to repair it. I could hear the announcer over the loud speaker "pro's you have 2 minutes til start" I though for sure I could zoom over with 20 seconds til start and still make it.<br /><br />Well, apparently they did not use the loud speaker to send off the first wave of racers because when I finally gave up on the zipper and lined up there were no pro's on the line.<br /><br />"where is the pro class?" I asked the racer next to me. "They left already!" he replied. I cursed and jumped off the line, heading up the road and into a headwind all alone. So much for my race plan!<br /><br />For the first several minutes I was all alone, could not see anyone. Then I caught the first guy in my class struggling up the steepest part of the first climb. I passed him and moved on into the singletrack that I had not ridden yet. It was very loose and rough, I had thoughts of my bike breaking from the beating it was taking.<br /><br />The rest of the lap was more of the same, tough, lung burning climbs at altitude followed by steep, loose, rough downhills and finally to the only short road section through the start finish. 1 lap down, 4 to go!<br /><br />Lap 2 was more of the same, I was moving up and gaining time on second place slowly but surely. He did not see me creeping up behind him and I was just about to make contact, pushing myself hard, riding on the edge, when I lost it in one of the many loose corners and went down hard!</span><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXD84gLdjtQBeeGUFI-BYltl8GhV80jBN6EiPr-keyj9BJ3DQGSI-1wpEyfaq6_HKHdi8d5EADgO4Ou9yuEmC3pXwXgHAWfc_U62bCTtcHBZ9_6fW5yCI-uAhgTiI1BjIdExgUF29YBjH/s1600/fort+2+2011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXD84gLdjtQBeeGUFI-BYltl8GhV80jBN6EiPr-keyj9BJ3DQGSI-1wpEyfaq6_HKHdi8d5EADgO4Ou9yuEmC3pXwXgHAWfc_U62bCTtcHBZ9_6fW5yCI-uAhgTiI1BjIdExgUF29YBjH/s400/fort+2+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587534852954755602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The crash tore a hole in my shorts, bloodied my hip, elbow, shin, and tore my rear shifter housing which eliminated half of my gears. I had no idea I was bleeding and had torn shorts. Too much concentration was needed to keep my chain on a usable cog. I had to hold my shifter between gears on some of the climbs and I dropped my chain several times the 3rd lap, having to stop, dismount, and reinstall it.<br /><br />Now my hopes of 2nd place were pretty much gone and I just tried to keep my bike together and not crash for the second hour of the race. It was a disappointing feeling to be racing at less than my maximum speed but I managed to keep it upright while navigating through the lapped racers.<br /><br />"The Fort" was easily the most difficult course I have raced this year, mainly because of the altitude, difficult climbs, and teeth rattling downhills.<br /><br />I finished 3rd and that was good enough for a podium spot and some valuable points in the series. Currently I am leading the points race but that could easily change considering we are only halfway into the series. We now have a 5 week break in the AZ series. This weekend I intend to travel to Fontana to compete in the US Cup Triple Crown. I will be lining up against the fastest racers in the world in the xc, super D, and short track events! Should make for some good stories at least! </span></span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqutEAScrc_pIJVN8hSb4jk0gfcJnXKIx3A3eU3Q66gEkOuWlkV6HhjdktcbAVmgzs7ugbfsU6CEeULViuKpGhlJkhvZdgfFCa-K-XSxHz9fpZYNdYIUVDxoPzHUGEjVYouOnuLzHT2LL/s1600/fort+2011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqutEAScrc_pIJVN8hSb4jk0gfcJnXKIx3A3eU3Q66gEkOuWlkV6HhjdktcbAVmgzs7ugbfsU6CEeULViuKpGhlJkhvZdgfFCa-K-XSxHz9fpZYNdYIUVDxoPzHUGEjVYouOnuLzHT2LL/s400/fort+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587534716302960578" border="0" /></a><br />thanks to Barry Hart Photography for the awesome photos!Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-45768709261715361202011-03-13T23:38:00.000-07:002011-03-14T00:28:58.651-07:00Double Blog Throwdown! White Tanks vs Sage Brush<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ98gGvHk-eVuTNtXSIZHWMlCoumGvoaoMfYvH4zonuZogs7f-eNeJgQIb8OX5o8tWZdBPMNSnRHLRK1EMp2baBv8WK4JQYoZPOKUqN6aKzB3GtbiEdtKuHUFuIC1arhHVJu_BzLCBBHsr/s1600/white+tank+2011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 377px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ98gGvHk-eVuTNtXSIZHWMlCoumGvoaoMfYvH4zonuZogs7f-eNeJgQIb8OX5o8tWZdBPMNSnRHLRK1EMp2baBv8WK4JQYoZPOKUqN6aKzB3GtbiEdtKuHUFuIC1arhHVJu_BzLCBBHsr/s400/white+tank+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583834081283861554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">White Tank Mountain Competitive Course was the venue for the 3rd issue of the Arizona State Championship Series. This 7 mile loop was mostly fast, rocky doubletrack although there was about one mile of rather technical trail sprinkled throughout.<br /><br />Temps were on the chilly side again, about 60 at start time. There were quite a few racers on the line this time and I had only raced against about half of them. The rest were guys I have never seen or heard of so I had no idea what to expect. Coming off a killer cold for the past two weeks I was feeling weak on race day. Had I not pre-registered I would have skipped this one all together.<br /><br />After a half arsed warm up the gun was fired and we were off and racing. The first mile was slightly uphill leading to the "tech section". The guys at the front were extremely fast and I lost contact falling back to the group of locals I know from the previous races. Speeds were high enough that I was able to draft and work with some of the other guys on the first lap. I turned an extremely fast first lap compared to my practice times and was suddenly feeling optimistic.<br /><br />Well into lap 2 of 4 I was feeling ok and probably somewhere near the top 5 when I hit the bedrock on a fast G-out and heard the too familiar hiss of air from my rear tire. I rolled on but all the air emptied and I was forced to put a tube in<br /></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihssXRWHJ5Mgc7i-UJ7HFjZPQqaX4G7m2TFyNy8kBEYzDBlmnV9VjvqcGzMMPO8AMLYxkHLxs5li6Dz7vPo7ZIorBAqYq52XSzJGYmyGGXebdhnZyZhyphenhyphen669c5RQdZaGFy8tgJQzttGXJVG/s1600/white+tanks+20112.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihssXRWHJ5Mgc7i-UJ7HFjZPQqaX4G7m2TFyNy8kBEYzDBlmnV9VjvqcGzMMPO8AMLYxkHLxs5li6Dz7vPo7ZIorBAqYq52XSzJGYmyGGXebdhnZyZhyphenhyphen669c5RQdZaGFy8tgJQzttGXJVG/s400/white+tanks+20112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583822982635373890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The rest of the race was spent playing catch up and battling lapped traffic on the course. On my final lap I began to feel the fatigue from the previous laps but still managed a top 10 finish...barely.<br /><br />The next morning was the first Kenda Cup West Race near San Diego. As I drove into the mountains just outside of the venue I was shocked to see snow everywhere, icy roads, freezing temps, yikes! Arriving at the venue was more of the same, snow and mud and a bunch of mountain bikers.<br /><br />The xc course was covered in 6 + inches of snow and the organizers decided to close the course, and instead have an abbreviated course around the parking lot. The course layout was lame, but I think the organizers did what they could considering the conditions.<br /><br />Arriving on the start line late I was again offered a prime starting position right up front and happily inserted myself there.<br /></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7niCRqvE-8nMwlgZgvQ1ZBCYwKztDccg7pXcsG2EhdsWtlpXLBsYR3XUEnLilacc6HmgaKoM_xqlRRMJV2GWYGocwAm8tyPCdKfQsrYgHTx8-_D6ydy6y45195eUNhsZQeFJ9WnBSD_r/s1600/sagebrush_102_600.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7niCRqvE-8nMwlgZgvQ1ZBCYwKztDccg7pXcsG2EhdsWtlpXLBsYR3XUEnLilacc6HmgaKoM_xqlRRMJV2GWYGocwAm8tyPCdKfQsrYgHTx8-_D6ydy6y45195eUNhsZQeFJ9WnBSD_r/s400/sagebrush_102_600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583823134295779314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bang we were off and racing</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">! I actually led the pack down the first quarter mile of road before they swallowed me up so that was completely unexpected and kinda cool...until we hit the water crossing. As the officials re routed the course all the snow up in the mountains was quickly melting and flooding the stream we would cross five times during the race. This was possibly the deepest water crossing I have ever experienced in an xc race. Completely rideable but freezing cold and extremely deep.</span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYj6ydwVhnmQP1ofNSOHTFywL7cIbYHwxdUmWBz3X5Ggvj-dOsDqIxUNSI4mSf7p-J-63sMcVTREOG6ihJWYAaEJexvu3ILz33IptZP_6QR3Ra64F6FAUDj_r5GJIB9LQzIJKw-aKL_ia/s1600/sagebrush_127_600.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYj6ydwVhnmQP1ofNSOHTFywL7cIbYHwxdUmWBz3X5Ggvj-dOsDqIxUNSI4mSf7p-J-63sMcVTREOG6ihJWYAaEJexvu3ILz33IptZP_6QR3Ra64F6FAUDj_r5GJIB9LQzIJKw-aKL_ia/s400/sagebrush_127_600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583823220951147410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">By the second lap every wave of racer had been sent out onto our short track cyclocross mud fest! So besides the river and giant mud bogs I was now battling 400 racers all on a single 5 mile loop. In all my years racing I have never done anything like this in my life.<br /><br /></span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE8YAr4XIZ3zHcko3buiEJko5BN3kC2isC1vcesn8-4paTo68g2NcS99QFKy7hR7KVqWEZxXntttIqKaZcGcKPkDdSqjsaaa1vatR7MROoVdl98TbyUpKdzsJCTU1xUHKz4okD5doU8Ez/s1600/183701_10150432178710157_903925156_17547252_1279262_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE8YAr4XIZ3zHcko3buiEJko5BN3kC2isC1vcesn8-4paTo68g2NcS99QFKy7hR7KVqWEZxXntttIqKaZcGcKPkDdSqjsaaa1vatR7MROoVdl98TbyUpKdzsJCTU1xUHKz4okD5doU8Ez/s400/183701_10150432178710157_903925156_17547252_1279262_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583823338369954562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I think the pics from this race tell the real story. Basically my bike stayed together, my body failed, and I finished near the rear. Not my best results but a very fun weekend of racing anywho and a truly crazy race experience.<br /><br />Next weekend's race in near Tucson on a military base, rumor is it's the funnest course on the circuit!<br /></span></span></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-36393774135821112972011-02-07T21:34:00.000-08:002011-02-09T02:30:07.567-08:00MBAA race #2 "The Hedgehog Hustle"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0NdhVotRz7XA4T1FtIv5yyUIM-Q3OcIwHulYOwgbt256HkOgWf6RheDfPOSQzmwerM6zSU7mkWbUiN9Bai4LeZR7t4-EA7Yy4n5amGVzsHXzsEhIvwp70j_X3zslVdE5oQ3IvuaNt4jH/s1600/hedghog+hustle+w3+2011.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0NdhVotRz7XA4T1FtIv5yyUIM-Q3OcIwHulYOwgbt256HkOgWf6RheDfPOSQzmwerM6zSU7mkWbUiN9Bai4LeZR7t4-EA7Yy4n5amGVzsHXzsEhIvwp70j_X3zslVdE5oQ3IvuaNt4jH/s400/hedghog+hustle+w3+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571189145421018754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Arizona State Championship Series Race #2 is in the books!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I had heard bad things about this course. The competitive track at Estrella Mountain, rumored to be the most technical course on the circuit, had everyone in a huff. "its too hard" "its too dangerous" were just a couple of the excuses I heard from folks who swore they would never race there. So of course I had to get out there and see what the fuss was about.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The race course is pretty straightforward...it's hard. Big boulders, rocky climbs and descents, sandy sections, loose corners, cactus hanging over the trail, sharp edged boulders....wow this was going to be interesting. Logic told me I would need to finish the race to place well. In order to finish the race I would need to prepare....as preparedness is my racing theme for 2011.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I fished my fattest racing tires from my tire box...</span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.bontrager.com/model/07943">Bontrager 29-3 in a 2.25 width</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> inflated to only 15 lbs of psi. I reasoned these tires would keep me from flatting while absorbing the great amounts of shock from all the boulders. Also the low pressure and liberal knobs would provide exceptional traction and flotation on the sandy and gravely corners. The extra weight and rolling resistance was sure to penalize me on the few smooth climbs and on acceleration from corners but finishing the race trumps speed every time!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Race day was on Saturday and I was shocked to see how few of the Pro's showed up for this race. There was only a handful of us but I was happy to see my new rival "Titus Man" on the line. This Ohio native beat me by seconds at the previous race (and least technical course on the circuit) so I was looking forward to competing with him on more technical terrain. Everyone on the line was on a full suspension bike.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Tlsv5zd35TrqPC9HY-Jjgx3LNQiv9ZVsjp8BZB3KoITYkiaVQozkguXQf2A-q8MR3kED0XH4XVNR1afd1RmEey40vO1IjldqbYc1n-r4wNyqDexQgsQgLNo69xXSvydk8-VwANlBJvY/s1600/hedghog+hustle+2+2011.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Tlsv5zd35TrqPC9HY-Jjgx3LNQiv9ZVsjp8BZB3KoITYkiaVQozkguXQf2A-q8MR3kED0XH4XVNR1afd1RmEey40vO1IjldqbYc1n-r4wNyqDexQgsQgLNo69xXSvydk8-VwANlBJvY/s400/hedghog+hustle+2+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571189006154623986" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk7oNM_kHZVsyE-2Jyqi5-NeZwg3OGm1yDFNzRW1xjkXv8nyzNH8QJMXEJDQADeCh1sFwrpaiiZ1ChugvPl6VbDog7-zrsMWmqUTJ0NbVueE4YIN6IwvYoL5x2z0uLBn3TmcDwqd3bSFT/s1600/hedghog+hustle+1+2011.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk7oNM_kHZVsyE-2Jyqi5-NeZwg3OGm1yDFNzRW1xjkXv8nyzNH8QJMXEJDQADeCh1sFwrpaiiZ1ChugvPl6VbDog7-zrsMWmqUTJ0NbVueE4YIN6IwvYoL5x2z0uLBn3TmcDwqd3bSFT/s400/hedghog+hustle+1+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571188847279897730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">We agreed on a "gentleman's start" where we would all work ourselves up to speed slowly. (much less painful) But when the Euro fellow from USA cycling sent us off it quickly turned into another sprint immediately into the first climb of the race.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I settled into second place and remained there for the entire race but Titus man was hot on my heals! For over two hours I concentrated on riding on the edge of control and killing every inch of the racecourse .... only to realize I could not gain any time on this guy...he was constantly yo-yo ing between 10 and 50 seconds to my rear. As we entered the last 10 miles of the trail the terrain became very very technical. See the pics above? Those are average conditions for the technical loop....this went on for 10 solid miles! The whole time I was thinking no way is this guy going to catch me in this terrain but he actually gained time on me! Nearing the last 5 miles I was giving up every molecule of glucose I could muster and started losing control of my bike. Brushing some kind of cactus along the trail my forearm was impaled by dozens of needles. Immediately I experience a painful forearm "pump" that has yet to go away. It was a distraction I did not need as I could see Titus creeping up my rear.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">With a little luck I was able to hold him off by only seconds and finish the race in 2nd place which is my best Pro XC finish to date!</span><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28z_PzlLEs1BXuQn4neI3vf138w-Muwco-g4DKfueRQDmLR55JM1yYNE2UkY6EsnGHcrTWp378MxHRq6pN2YL2BuC6Y4oeBQQD4J_PzKG8ff11WnjzG3ZvWIZ_-4VHEC6f-dcGVBJFLaG/s1600/IMG-20110205-00007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28z_PzlLEs1BXuQn4neI3vf138w-Muwco-g4DKfueRQDmLR55JM1yYNE2UkY6EsnGHcrTWp378MxHRq6pN2YL2BuC6Y4oeBQQD4J_PzKG8ff11WnjzG3ZvWIZ_-4VHEC6f-dcGVBJFLaG/s400/IMG-20110205-00007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571204301207636994" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I think my tires made all the difference and it was a nice way to be reminded that proper preparation can make a big difference. When I got home I ordered a pair of new </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.bontrager.com/model/08763">Bontrager 29-2 tires</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> made for loose conditions.The hardpack specific tires I was accustomed to in Ohio are less than ideal in these new racing conditions. Every course I have raced on so far has been a totally new experience and I feel like I need to adapt my riding style and product preferences to stay at the top of my game.</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniz0oBYkOiBBAudvUYAPjZXw4RK6XoelAhvayOKIwiLtVLtfT3yd2RElKFmK2uPmcqHaIaMqPOPp6XJ7vR5cOhzw7ENTpczrPIMZT-z-7tmlVlPAnq_jXPCdryJnmEt5Vrw3mr2uhUFTU/s1600/292.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 389px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniz0oBYkOiBBAudvUYAPjZXw4RK6XoelAhvayOKIwiLtVLtfT3yd2RElKFmK2uPmcqHaIaMqPOPp6XJ7vR5cOhzw7ENTpczrPIMZT-z-7tmlVlPAnq_jXPCdryJnmEt5Vrw3mr2uhUFTU/s400/292.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571202495724625554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">I think my next race is at White Tanks...another competition trail in the Phoenix area. I have yet to check it out.<br />action photos by Barry Hart Photography<br /></span></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-52432691224381484122011-02-06T22:20:00.000-08:002011-02-06T22:37:21.709-08:00McDowell Senoran Challenge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUpCrSlk58yj3HnMHcwLpmbvHwpEgzrQeeov92infjlYdJ6DW2sGU9z4NAUs5ATK3Zw9zyI89lFp4apttJ_UGXuzdUImiGpo5DeVT4hqh7aGVgoPPnf0C-uOlWP6PMXBlXA1UuEGf0q3K/s1600/mdowell.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 376px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUpCrSlk58yj3HnMHcwLpmbvHwpEgzrQeeov92infjlYdJ6DW2sGU9z4NAUs5ATK3Zw9zyI89lFp4apttJ_UGXuzdUImiGpo5DeVT4hqh7aGVgoPPnf0C-uOlWP6PMXBlXA1UuEGf0q3K/s400/mdowell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570832565453653794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The McDowell Senoran Challenge was an event, an event like no other event I have done. It was advertised as a 20 mile "challenge". Not a race, not a time trial...ok? So preriding the course the day before revealed this challenge was not on traditional mountain bike trails or even road but on motocross trails.<br /><br />Motocross trails translates into; Whoop followed by whoops followed by whoops, berm, sand pit, whoops whoops whoops, doubles you could triple if your were traveling more than 7 miles per hour...whoop, berm, rock, whoop sand....you get the point.<br /><br />There were no climbs really except one short steep one up and impossible grade of slickrock which was cool. The endless traction and low gearing made it feel like I was defying physics as I rode up it.<br /><br />Arriving at the "challenge" the disorganization was evident. this was a charity "challenge" by the way and organized by volunteers who obviously did not have experience organizing events. This was just to aid a good cause while competing for fun.<br /><br />I quickly learned this was a time trial format and there would also be runners and hikers on the trail.<br /><br />We were off and after passing a handful of guys I was all alone for the remainder of the event. The course was unlike anything I have ever competed on in my life but fun for sure. Not often I get to use my pump track and berm skills during a race...er challenge!<br /><br />About halfway through I made a wrong turn at a 5 way intersection and lost several minutes while I backtracked back to the trail.<br /><br />Sprinting down the dirt road to the finish I was weaving in and out of runners and trying to warn them as much as possible that I was coming fast, it was a mess.<br /><br />Luckily there were no collisions and I finished in second place overall so it was a good day indeed. I received a cool trophy made of a rock and some permanent marker writing and drawing on it, simple but cool and again...unusual.<br /><br />What a weird weekend.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-52183078023881607142011-01-28T21:34:00.000-08:002011-01-28T22:30:09.788-08:00Arizona Race #1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtoLEkkEYO0JFL0Y2mrbqi2JOSsAOT020qReGuxIWz3Pkc_07VBACFJ6VnBpljWQ43TIG4SsjtNOchKPEhZ3Y7sUtC5kGaRgWVUghtLPbo8T5rq8xgaaGaxHmSEtX1rYIfS_ryy3lmoac/s1600/arizona_158.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtoLEkkEYO0JFL0Y2mrbqi2JOSsAOT020qReGuxIWz3Pkc_07VBACFJ6VnBpljWQ43TIG4SsjtNOchKPEhZ3Y7sUtC5kGaRgWVUghtLPbo8T5rq8xgaaGaxHmSEtX1rYIfS_ryy3lmoac/s400/arizona_158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567480414989441842" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The first race of the year is finally out of the way!<br /><br />Last weekend was <a href="http://www.mbaa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&Itemid=35">MBAA Race #1 McDowell Meltdown .</a><br />The morning of the xc race I was feeling rather stimulated. After a loooong break from racing I was excited to get back to what I love best...RACING MOUNTAIN BIKES! Yee Haw! During the hour long drive to the venue my adrenaline level continued to rise to an intoxicating level.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />What is desert racing like? How fast would the local Pro class be? Was I going to do something stupid again?<br /><br />I was about to find out.<br /><br />Lining up for the start was...interesting. Most times everyone fights for a top spot on the starting line. This time however, even though I showed up somewhat late, the best spot on the line was left wide open. Of course I slipped right in : ) I was feeling confident and rested and was aware of my autopilot kicking in. After so many races the starts just become automatic.<br /><br />Then the countdown</span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">...5...4....3...2...Go! We were off and racing and I was instantly glad the waiting was over. I grabbed a great start leading off the line and for the next 250 meters or so.<br /><br />Approaching the singletrack I was ovetaken by two other races and glad to let them ahead of me. The next mile was an easy but steady uphill into the wind and I was happy to be in their draft but still near the front....so far so good. The pace was hard but not too hard was we climbed and climbed. Finally as the grade leveled of the pace increased dramatically and I was in a full panic trying to keep up.<br /><br />These guys were FAST! Extremely skilled riders as well and I was having difficulty staying in co</span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">ntact. Riders behind me were trying to pass and intimidate me into moving over but I stoked the fire enough to catch back up and maintain 3rd for the next 10 minutes.<br /><br />I was redlined, maxed out, drooling, panting, sweating and then we hit the next big climb and the pack splintered. I fell back to mid pack along with two other guys and the leaders started to gain distance. I had blown up and was forced to slow up and recover. It took nearly the rest of the lap before I felt myself again and was able to put the power to the dirt.<br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I traded places with a few guys and chased and was chased. My focus was on and the only thing on my mind was the job at hand. It felt really good to be back racing again.<br /><br />Finally I crossed the line in 6th place only seconds off of the podium. This is the result I expected so I was not disappointed considering my limited training up to this point.<br /><br />I headed home to rest up for the next days short track and super D races.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />The morning of the short track was very windy. The course was a 1 mile loop with dirt road, and a short steep singletrack climb and double track downhill. The race was 20 minutes plus one lap, and there were only about 9 guys there. </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Immediately our group of 3 was off to a good lead and we traded the lead for the next few laps.<br /><br />Coming around for the 3rd to last lap I was leading and moved over to let the next guy take over...but noone did, there was an argument about who's turn it was </span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">and then for some reason I decided to take over again....big mistake<br /><br />Now two laps to go I move over once again, tired from pulling two laps, and the bastards attacked....I should have know.<br /><br />I chased hard now putting in full effort for 3 full laps and just as I predicted they attacked again just as I caught up and we began the last lap. I chased again except this time nothing happened, my legs did not respond and I watched helplessly as another rider passed and I got 4th to 3 teenagers....sheeeit....bi</span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">g disappointment. Off the podium again by one place.<br /><br />Immediately after the race was the super D which consisted of two 5 minute time trials and one 2 minute time trial all going downhill.<br /><br />The course was so fun and included the best downhills from the xc race the day before. I just had fun with it and did my best without crashing and finally scored a 3rd place and got on the podium. Not a bad first weekend of racing.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Tomorrow morning I am racing at the McDowell Senoran Challenge which is essentially just an annual charity event for fun and training. I rode the course today and was dismayed to discover it is a 20 mile loop on a motocross trail. 20 hellish miles of sandy whoops...this is gonna hurt.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs9tkcikQgLjkWxdb-09n8rxrUVyb1x7ErvZt0uiQgqXurgLSCdizfauqbdjdacFj3nt87TqTGB9EgmteEODxPXrRWDru8l0Apg0GfdCqa9ZH5hEBPctAsOnUX4BKGv9cYTyFIfJxClPM/s1600/arizona_132.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs9tkcikQgLjkWxdb-09n8rxrUVyb1x7ErvZt0uiQgqXurgLSCdizfauqbdjdacFj3nt87TqTGB9EgmteEODxPXrRWDru8l0Apg0GfdCqa9ZH5hEBPctAsOnUX4BKGv9cYTyFIfJxClPM/s400/arizona_132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567488226127280994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306988089625251652.post-53910334173111347452011-01-14T23:01:00.001-08:002011-01-14T23:36:45.716-08:00Arizona<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JKD3Yz_FNvxP0IIOmC9eHStrjB6deWuLU00owrkqi9DyMa68fabjwsPGqiE_NwP7mMXqY3nsYl8RV4J8fXB8JtHY4JSGZSnD6QKIG8aluj8fxXUqNLX8OXdT-R7oZ8J8HfU3h9c9Pl-7/s1600/arizona_110.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JKD3Yz_FNvxP0IIOmC9eHStrjB6deWuLU00owrkqi9DyMa68fabjwsPGqiE_NwP7mMXqY3nsYl8RV4J8fXB8JtHY4JSGZSnD6QKIG8aluj8fxXUqNLX8OXdT-R7oZ8J8HfU3h9c9Pl-7/s400/arizona_110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562306793597431650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The new year has brought with it some major changes. Gary Fisher has been absorbed by Trek essentially making Trek bikes the undisputed leaders in technology, performance, value and variety of choice under one brand</span>.<br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >My new home town is Maricopa, Arizona which is like being on another planet coming from Ohio. The riding is so much different here, I am not sure what to expect come race day.<br /><br />After many years of racing occasionally some lessons need to be relearned. A very hectic 2010 reminded me just how important preparedness is. I was unable to finish so many races because of preventable mistakes. Eventually my lack of preparation caused me a bad crash and some broken bones. Another lesson is that occasionally life has to take precedence over racing. Sometimes there just is not enough time to fulfill my obligations AND train while maintaining my carbon superbike.<br /><br />In 2011 I vow to be prepared, to finish every race, to carry at least one tube and a mini tool at every event. I vow to clean my bike and keep my tires freshly slimed.<br /><br />There...it's in writing now.<br /><br />My first race of the year is in one week. Also my first race in the desert! <a href="http://www.mbaa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=225&Itemid=35">MBAA Race#1</a><br />McDowell Meltdown~! I will be competing in the 28 mile xc race as well as short track and super D events.<br /><br />Today I tuned up the bike with a fork rebuild, headset bearings, new shock, grips, cables and housing, chain, cassette, crankset and bottombracket, new pedals and cleats, two new tires and new brake pads. That is prepared in my book!</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Brad Wilhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570280142289065857noreply@blogger.com0