I finished the day off with a run through Wilderness Park last night on the red El Mariachi. Man, what a sweet night it was! I love this weather we've had the past couple of days. Talk about a change from what we were having a week ago -- it's like night and day! But other than seeing one group of riders, nice folks I didn't recognize, I felt like I had the park pretty much to myself. I kept thinking to myself, "where is everybody?" But it was just me and a whole lotta' nature. Purdy good...
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Rumor has it that Dale is going to have a 4 or 6 hour race at Tranquilty starting with the beginers. If he does round up as many guys from Lincoln as possible to do it. If the #'s are there I'm sure there would be more long races in the series.
Hey Kev -- Good to hear from you, my friend. Thanks for the heads up on Dale's thinking about Tranquility. It's too bad he hasn't made an official call on that, because we've already made plans to do the Ponca 155 ride that day, and I don't see those plans changing at this point.
If Tranquility had been a 4 or 6 hour race from the start, or even if the promoters had made it one back in June or July, before we made the plans for the Ponca ride (in mid-July), it'd have been no problem, but at this point, it's out of my hands for sure. Even if I back out, the Ponca ride will go on.
Again, I appreciate the heads-up, and I appreciate Dale thinking about having a longer race, but making the call to have a longer race a few days before the event doesn't work to generate interest in longer events. People who do those types of races need a couple of months to get them on their calendars and to train for them.
Six hour races are long enough that you don't just jump into them trivially and race them effectively. You have to train for that distance, or be one of a handful of people who already have the training volume it takes to be able to do it. There aren't many of those people right now in Nebraska and Iowa... I can count them on one, perhaps two, hands.
Good luck at Tranquility Kevin. I'm sure you'll kick butt up there.
Cheers,
MG
Nice write up, MG. I can totally relate to the feeling. And yeah, the weather lately has me jonesin' for some fall mtb action. I don't know why, but dirt in the Fall is about the sweetest riding of all for me. I just love it.
Again, thanks for invitin' me to the Ponca gig. I wish it would have worked out, as I am feeling really great on the bike lately.
I hope you guys have a super fun ride that day anyway.
And what's that I hear? An announcement of a long endurance race in Iowa in early May '09? Hmm.......
Guitar Ted, my brother. Good to hear you're feelin' good and getting in some great rides in this super sweet weather we've been having. It's been incredible, hasn't it? I hope we have about three months of weather just like this. I'd take it.
And a super endurance race in Iowa in May '09 -- sounds like a winner. If it's got anything to do with you, I suspect I'm gonna' be in for sure.
Lookin' forward to seeing you at Seven Oaks. I'm going to try to pull off my first solo 24 of the season there. We'll see how it goes. I'll be rockin' the Dos and the red El Mariachi. Should be a butt kickin' pair out there.
Happy trails, my friend.
Cheers,
MG
Matt, are you coming this weekend to get a little sweet Iowa dirt under your belt in preparation for your 24 hour bid? I mean, you need to acclimate yourself to the air quality, elevation and temperature in preparation. And since Lake Ahquabi is only a 50 minute drive north of here, what better way to get ready? After all, Lance has been out in Aspen for 2 weeks getting acclimated for the Leadville race...
I would - heck we all would - sure love to have your infectious good spirit in Iowa shedding dirt with the rest of us and challenging the competition. Cash prizes for experts, other prizes, healthy food, beverage that requires a driver's license with a certain date to consume, and a beautiful park await your presence. There, have I begged you enough and painted a picture worthy of the drive? Gas is way down to $3.43 a gallon here. Almost getting back to last year's prices. LOL!
I'm marking the course today/tomorrow and it looks fast, but plenty of climbing to remind people it isn't as easy as it looks or sounds. If you come, I would suggest the Dos as there are enough ruts and roots to shake up the tush. And of course, tubeless rules...
My bad, my previous comment should have read "Seven Oaks is only a 50 mile drive north of Lake Ahquabi". Not much elevation change and the same air quality between the two.
The major difference - Lake Ahquabi is considered to be located in "southern Iowa". I don't think you have ever raced in "southern Iowa'.... ;-)
Hey Bruce -- I'm seriously thinking about coming down. If I do however, it'll likely be the morning of the race on a commando mission, because Laura and I are going to be spending some time together this weekend.
I definitely am jonesin' to check out your race though, Bruce. I hope it ends up working out for me to come down. I just don't quite have the Dos finished yet. I'm hoping to get off work a little early today and get that done... We'll see how it works out. I've needed to get down to Monkey Wrench, and sadly, because of my crazy work week, I haven't gotten off of work in time to get down there yet this week.
Hope to see you soon. If I don't make it down there, please know that I sincerely tried.
I miss the park. it's been over a year since I rode on dirt there.
It misses you, Davey. But I miss Colorado, so before you come home, I need to come to Colorado, 'eh?
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