Charlotte STXC #4&5

Race #4(2/10)- Racing was fast and furious once again. Weather was ideal, clear low 50*s and the track was tacky. A good start helped me stay close to the front for the opening laps. Running close quaters with my teammate Jamie. We had to contain our closest competitor in the overall. In this situation it's nice having someone to work with. Considering we had another race tommorrow. We needed to conserve as much energy as possible. We took turns leading or patroling the three man group. For some reason I was getting jumpy and excited I had to hold back the urge to attack since we still had :30 minutes to go. Content to keep working, or maybe I worked too hard at times. With about :15 minutes to go we were jumped and unfortunately we had no response. Down but not out, burying myself to bring us from a 45 second gap to a 3 bike links at the finish line. I had more but the gap in the overall was enough of a cushion to not woory about it. Finishing 6th of 11. Besides there would be another chance tommorrow.

Race #5(2/11)- Weather was ideal just as before, and the riders turned out to finish the series. Weary legs were all around. Even the start was the slowest of the series. Very simialr to saturday, the groups started to form early in the race. Jamie got up the road on me, and I was content to hanging back with Ben. Going into this race the overall was 3rd Jamie, 4th Me, 5th Ben. This put me content with keeping Ben at bay as long as I could. That held till about 13 minutes to go. I cracked from the relentless attacks, that Ben and I released upon each other. Some quick math at lactate thresold puts me still in 4th overall but damn it sure would be nice to catch him. The legs were not having it, I just kept tempo and mantained the gap. Finishing the overall series in 4th place that is an improvement of one spot from the '06 series. Content with the fitness this series has given me. It's now time to go and finish up the home projects so I can ride this spring.

Charlotte Race #3

Saturday was the third installment of the winter short track series. The wind was howling with the temps in the 40's. This made for smaller fields and a chance to grab maximum points. I was lucky enough to have 4 strong teammates in the race with me. Jamie and I are both in the hunt for the overall. There are two racers between us. With only one of the two riders at the race, the mission was to cut the gap down. At the start we were informed that this would be the double points race of the series.

From the start the pace whips up quick. Into the single track close to the front. The lead group stayed intact through the first few laps. Then the gaps started to form. Small groups scattered the field. I found myself split from Jamie's group around lap 5 or so. Riding in the group of 4th-6th place. With the competion for Jamie riding on my wheel, I as a teammate did not want to drag him up to Jamie. I started playing roadie games with him. I knew those evening of watching the spring classics on DVD would pay off.

Now that Jamie was out of sight. I began to turn the screws into 5th&6th place. Wanting and needing the points badly. Figuring my strong points were in the singletrack but I was having problem on the hill. I knew I had to go hard for 4 laps to really make the gap stick. I did and it did! Pulling in a 4th in the Expert class right behind Jamie in 3rd. How about that, the fitness is starting to show. It must be from all the time I'm taking OFF from riding during the week. Next weekend will be a tuff race weekend. Saturday and Sunday races the final two of the series.

Also the Harrells Team had three fellows in the Super-Sport class. Monty in 2nd, Damon in 3rd and Toby S. finishing in the field.

Recap of STXC Races #1&2

Late January means the '07 season was about to start at full speed. Just as I thought the expert field starting at warp speed.

Race #1 (1/20) - Temps in the high 40's and sunny conditions brought some 190 riders total for the opening day of racing in the winter short track series. Race time 2pm, I along with 13 other expert riders followed by 20+ super sport riders were about to flood the 3/4mi. track for a heart pounding HOUR O' POWER. The start was fast very fast and placing into the first section of single track was crucial. In classic slow start fashion I get behind the worst single track riders out there. Within 5 min the field was out of reach.

It's never good when 10 min. into an hour event you start planning your corrections for the following race. So now into survival mode I tried to keep ahead of the super-sport class and the ever charging leaders from the expert class. yeah getting lapped really sucks. However it happens more so in this type of event. Luckily I stayed with it holding onto every available rider who past, just keeping momentum. Finishing in 7th, I'll take that as I'm planning on the entire series. Points are what you are really after. Changes are coming!

Race #2 (1/28) - Perfect temps - dry, cool, sunny but windy. This made for bigger fields than last week. I think some 16 expert and 30 super sport lined up for the HOUR O' POWER. The high octane element for this weekend was from the WNC area, a handful of strong riders were to make this event faster than the last. Conscious of my decision from last weekend to start faster and more aggressively. I lined up closer to the front and was mentally ready to suffer from the start. Key was to pick out the riders who would complete the series and keep with them.

Holding to my decision I file into the woods in the front group. Feeling great about my situation. Somewhere around 10mins in gaps started to form, I find myself just on the cusp on loosing contact with field. Grouped with three others I keep surging to bridge up to the second group. Now twenty something minutes into the race I finally bridge the gap to the group(6-8). Still with half the race to go. This group contains Jamie(teammate) and two other riders content on the series. Good group to ride with. The wind was a factor and getting into a group was crucial. I held as loooooong as I could, heck I just spent 20min bridging up in the wind solo. With 10-15 min to go, I had to put whatever I had left into the effort. Managing to hold onto 7th for the second week in a row. Official results are not up yet but, I'm counting on 7th. Next installment of pain comes on Saturday (2/03).

Till then

Into the Woods

A weekend full of trails and friends. Managed a group ride on saturday at lynchs with Joe, Clint, Barrot & Leroy. No single speed this weekend all gears all weekend. Still nursing the crazy sciatic nerve. Stretching like crazy all week. Picked up a foam roller at Target and highly recommend it for any tight leg muscles and lower back issues. This seems to be the only way to ease the pain. Besides focusing on the geared bike for the short track series. I've spent the week working on the fit, matching the X-Cal to the Raleigh like saddle height and stem height. After all said and done 1.5" lower on the saddle and 1" lower on the stem. I'm hoping this is the key to the sciatic nerve cooling down.

2007 Season Opener

"Kick off for the 5th Annual East Blvd Bar & Grill Winter Short Track Series. This year, the event is presented by Heartwood Tree Service, the Dirt Divas andCharlotte Sports Cycling. The series will consist of five races, Jan 20 and 28,Feb 3, 10 and 11 all held at the infamous Renaissance Park short track. It takes in elements of mountain biking, BMX and a road criterium. "

For more info on the series, visit www.charlottemtnbike.com

Time to put on the game face for this weekends short track. Should be a bit chilly and probably still wet. I think this is the face I'm looking for!

Russ's Farewell Ride

Finally a group ride at Lynchs, it had been in the works for the past several weekends. With a perfect weather forcast on tap, and the trails in excellent shape. A group of 7, consisting of Jamie, Clint, Dan, Damon, Toby S., Toby P. and Russ all showed up decked to the hilt in Harrells blue. A side note that we all were on 29ers. Mostly geared with the exception of Damon and Toby on single speeds.

This would be Russ's last ride in SC for a while as he and his wife have plans to move up north. It was good to see folks show up. It is always a treat to ride with such a talented rider like Russ, especially when you can keep up with him. I've known Russ for some 14 years and have always enjoyed his friendship. Plans for a road trip are already in the works. So Russ mix up some sweet tea and get to exploring because I'll be up to ride some trails with ya.

So back to the ride, everyone was so excited to be back out at Lynchs. Most haven't been to the trails in 2 years. So consider it a new experience for many. Clint, Monty and Toby's trail work was greatly appreiciated amongst the riders and even the hikers. I believe we ended up with 3+ hours and probably 30 something miles. Who cares we all had a great time and I think everyone left out spent from the ride.

Clint negotiating the creek crossing

Jamie going for the crossing

First Trainer Session

Last night, I had to pull out the trainer for the first time in 10 months. Just too damn cold to ride outside and I had the itch to ride. Throw in the CTS Crit DVD and try like hell to keep focused on the overall goal - not loosing my dinner (nasty bastard). After last Saturday's a** kicking I figured it's time to get in gear and create some fitness.

Excited for the weekend plans. Saturday I have my monthly rotation at LMC Health Directions. A 75min cycle class, trying to bring the joy of steady tempo into an indoor cycle class. The only way I've found is stretch the class duration. Mix that with some scare tactics and a shake of sitr crazy - they love me. Also a possible Sunday assault on Lynchs Woods. This makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside. After the work that's been put into the trail in the last two months. It's finally time to put in some miles out there.

Kneda Small Block Eight 29er Tire

John Tomac Series Small Block Eight

This looks to be a great tire for the Midlands 29er fans. Hopefully I'll be trying these very soon.

* Excellent hard pack XC race tire

* 8 Nevegal shaped but smaller knobs across the tire for better ‘bite’

* DTC - Dual Tread Compound offers cornering grip with faster center line acceleration

* One of the fastest rolling tires in the Kenda Premium line

Here’s the specs:

Part #: 212509

Feature: DTCSize: 29×2.10

Bead: Folding

TPI: 120PSI: 30-80

Weight: 500±25g

Night Adventure

Urban Assault on Cola town last night left me fully satisfied. The thrill of having 9 riders ripping through town outfitted with top dollar HID lighting was a sight. The Harrells riders came together for their bi-weekly urban night ride. It's early January and it's 50*, what a great time for a night ride. This was the third time I had made the ride and every time the ride gets bigger.

Last night's ride had the group meeting on the riverwalk around 6:35 they heading out towards town. First out to Elmwood Cemetery to see if anyone out there was a awake. All quite there, then headed up town through the Cotton Wood district. Over somewhere near Gervais St. we hit the first of two parking garages.

Vacant for the evening we climbed to the top and regrouped for the real festivities. Called the gravity races - my first of this type. Rules are simple you get one push to start and no pedaling, first one to bottom is winner. How neat is that. Picking smooth lines and not hitting your brakes is key. Damon & Russ had too much of a lead on me but I got the hang of it. The usual suspects immediately started talking about the next garage. So again up to the top, lined up, one push. This garage much tighter than the last. Quickly I found the line and holding it through the turns. Somehow I made the passes that put me into first. A few turns were still stick from the rain. I had two close calls on theses.

Then we headed down towards campus past the Colonial Center, across the river then onto the Cayce greenway. Throw in some trash talking and an out and back along the greenway. This put us into W Cola. Still out for some fun I lead the folks out to some dirt. A very small taste of dirt but with everyone on mtb and we have not seen any dirt, I felt it was appropriate. Paul insisted we all hit the Natchez hill somewhere in the ballpark of 18% grade. This puts me very close to my house so I split off and called it a night, still giggling over the fun I had. Looking forward to next week.

Wheels in Motion

Now that the new year is moving along, it's time to set the training in motion. This past weekend started with a 7 hour trail working session. Lynchs Woods has been hanging in limbo for way too long. Clint & I managed to almost clean the entire inner loop in one day. This would have never been possible without Monty's chainsaw work of the previous week. With the dead fall cleared we were able to clean the single track with Clint's blower. I've cleaned many trails but this was the first time I've used a blower. Normally I would have rake in hand. This blower was the key.

A day of recovery was needed. The annual New Years Day ride around Lake Murray was to be held on Monday. With rain in the forecast, only 3 folks showed up. The small group collectively came to the conclusion that the rains here and no one really wanted to start their new year in the rain. Besides who wants to clean their bike on New Years Day. So after lunch I managed to find myself a comfy spot on the couch and sleep. I'm sure the new year of riding will become more eventful.

Urban Night Ride

Manged an urban night ride last night. Met up with a steady paced group with some HBW fellows. A group of six met up around 6:40pm on the Riverfront Park. Heading along the Three Rivers Greenway out toward the Cayce area. Plans were to check out Old State road for some lightning fast dirt road action. The pace was whipped up quick. The road consists of one turn in a 4mi. stretch. Turn around at the pavement out near I-26 & Dixiana, then haul ass back for another 4mi interval. The pace was great for a crusing type interval. Behind Russ & Paul it's like a comfy motor pace. Returning back into town along the TRG.

If you ever get the chance to ride the TRG @ night go for it. It is an amazing ride. Imagime a concrete path about 5' wide that twists & turns along the banks of the Congaree River. Now strap on some light and rip through the park. The winter time is the best time for this because the pedestrians are minimal. Bring along a friend and test your skills with someone on your wheel.

Surviving the Holidays

Surviving the Holidays, the ample amounts of food and the many miles of travel.

This weekend of festivities is enough to tax any endurance athlete. For me I'm just glad to have survived. Lateley the riding has been slow and when I do ride that's slow too. For now it's base miles and honey-do's. Planning on the New Year's Day Ride around Lake Murray come 1/01. It will be hopefully 55-60mi of slow to medium pace riding amongst friends. Also looking to hit the trails up in Newberry on Sunday. This could be a last ride blow-out for '06. What better way to blow something out than on some singletrack with a 29er single speed bike.

Q.S.T.

So the four day weekend was a welcome sight especially with great weather. What better time to start on the base mileage for the '07 season. Giving thanks for the food and family, but don't forget thanks for the four day weekend and the opportunity for Quality Saddle Time.

Last winter I started riding my Raleigh C700 hybird for a change of pace. This bike has went through many transformation in it's history. Currently the Raleigh-aah has been limited to eight gears. Running a 42t road ring up front combined with a 12x28 in the rear. After this weekends 4hr journey through Western Lexington Co. dirt roads, I think the combination will suite me just fine. The Raleigh will also dub as my winter road bike. There is no need for aerodynamics in the winter, it's all about comfort. I'm in the mood for dirt roads.

A Caboose Effort

The final race of the '06 season is in the books. Last weekends finale at the Harrisburg stxc was not the best highlight of the season. Let me take you through my day. First off, I was scheduled to teach a 75min. cycle class at Health Directions, this was to start at 9am. As I instructed the class through several standing efforts I tried to hold my temptation to surge and make the class painful for all including myself. Knowing that I needed a strong ride in the single speed class to clinch a 3rd overall for the series. Saving energy here could save me later in the day. Finishing up the class around 10:15 didn't leave me much time for breakfast/lunch. Plus I still had a 2hr drive to north Charlotte. Realizing the ss race was not in the cards as far as time goes. I had to sacrifice myself to the wolves in the expert class - on a single rigid.

I felt better knowing I would have two teammates in the field as well. Jaime & Monty both made the trip up to the race. Monty's first stxc and Jaime was trying to seal a 3rd overall in the expert field. Knowing I had nothing to win or loose, I told Jaime that I would work for him in what ever fashion he needed. I was helpless to the geared speed demons. As the race started very fast I was put into the caboose position. Now that I had an hour of not wanting to be lapped was driving me to keep pushing every second of the trail. By the halfway point I had made up a few places but really who's counting. The finish couldn't have come any sooner. I was beat, but I did hold off the field with the exception of 1&2.

Swamp Sweat

A very chilly start to Saturday morning, around 27* at some point along I26. Luckily I was able to get Monty & Lauren to caravan down to the race. The Swamp Sweat XC race brought out a small race crowd consisting of mostly local Charleston riders and Naval folk, a very laid back group of bike racers. Marrington Plantation is located in the Naval base area in Goose Creek, SC. Marrington Plantation is a flat course with plenty of turns. There were more twists and turns to confuse anyone who might be new to the area (i.e. me). Trails were in great shape hard packed and well groomed, made for a fast fast very fast 26mi race.

It has been some time since I lined up for a normal XC effort. Knowing it would be much faster than I'm use to so I had to go into a mind set that fast was the word for the day. It helped that Monty was super ampted to be mixing it up with expert racers, this cat is fast anyway. Flat out along a paved road for the first mile, enough to stretch thing out early. Right turn onto a grass road where the first selections were made. Monty surged into 3rd while I sat in around 8th with the lead group of 8. Gaps started to develop in the pace line, so the need to move up hit me. Passed a slower rider then two now I was trapped out of the line. Oh yeah I'll show you bastards - how about an attack to blow this thing wide open.

Dropping into the first section of single track leading Monty & two locals. The Hammer had officially fallen out of my pocket. I'm kidding I dropped it on purpose. About two minute into the trail - word was passed up that a crash had taken several riders down and our gap was growing quick. It helped that we were rolling over 15+ mph at the time. I could feel Monty breathing down my neck, he was itching to turn the screws tighter. I pulled over and let him take the lead. Around mile 4 Monty snagged a pedal on a root going into a corner and yard sale time. Barely missing him we cleared and proceeded on I was trying to slow our pace a touch to allow him to catch back on.

First mistake of the race was not letting the locals led once Monty hit the deck. I was powering out of every turn to find another turn coming. My smoothness was not there. So about another mile missed a tight right hander and found myself in the jungle. Just like a damn rookie w/ too much caffeine.

First to third and a gap growing every second I'm playing in the bushes. So now into chase mode. Monty eventually catches me, and the team effort continues again till he drops me. Solely due to lack of training, just thought I needed to add some type of excuse. So now riding the trail solo had no idea where or how far I had to go. So in true racer form I lowered my head and continued to bury myself for the the pure fun of it.

Feeling the end of lap 1 was near I glanced over as those being chased often do, I saw a rider closing in on me. Damn was the first of many thoughts. A few more shoulder checks later - "dang that looks like Monty". Yeah Monty took several wrong turns on a course that had minimal markers on it. I to took several questionable turns, but managed to take the right way out.

Now back in tandem for the start of the second lap. Monty was fired up and I was happy to still be up in the front of the race. Monty soon made me look like a rookie again with enough accelerations to crack me. Now into survival mode, just hold off the charging pack of riders who were surely looking for us. With about 3mi to the end a rider catches me and I would hang onto him as long as I could. With about a mile left of single track I lost his wheel and watched as he rode up the trail. Finally the paved road back into the finish with no one on my 6. The last guy only put like a minute on me. I'll take a 5th place.

1. Justin Fisher 1:41:48
2. Scott Miner 1:41:53
3. Monty DuBose 1:45:25
4. Steve Brown 1:45:46
5. Toby Porter 1:46:47
6. Mitchell Clement 1:50:45
7. Luke Wilson 1:53:40
8. Mike Harrington 1:55:20
9. Greg Scott 1:58:09
10. Don Brion 2:00:47
11. Chris Mackenzie 2:07:24
12. Craig Pellitier 2:18:37

Also a thanks to Brian H for the pre-ride and some insight as to the land. Check is site at spokejunky

Sold

To the lucky bidders. It is amazing what people will buy, especially the folks in the cycle community. They always say one mans junk is another mans treasure. True in deed, as a cyclists with plenty of old parts lying around I know how frustrating it can be to work on a project bike and run out of spare parts. Especially if it needs that old school charm. Still have a Raleigh road frame for sale. Enough of the peddling pedal parts - Let's leave that there.

Racing of a different beast for me this past weekend - it's Nascar bo. E & I made the journey west to Hot Lanta for the 33rd stop in the Nextel Cup Series. This was my 2nd venture into the land of extremely high octane, speed & burning rubber. A great time to be had, just the amount of people and it's huge diversity amongst them all. The ultimate stop for unique people watching.

Nascar note to self on advertising for your sponsors. They have that trick nailed. Maybe for next season I'll polish myself to a tee and slap stickers all over for my few sponsors. To make other notice I'll also make loud noises and take left turns all day.

Ebay Bound

If interested I'm trying to thin out some cycling stuff.

* Campy Athena BB vintage late 80's still in the original box.
Item for an old school campy fans. SOLD

* Thompson Elite seatpost 28.6mm x 410mm SOLD

* Raleigh Prestige Road Frame 55cm. Aluminum / Carbon frame w/ Carbon fork,
Headset, F. Der Braze on clamp, Campy Athens seatpost included.

* A pair of Kenda Nevegal 26x2.10 Tires. Brand Spankin New. SOLD

* A box of Time Mag Eq road pedals - 3 sets SOLD

* A box of 1" quill road stems, Salsa Cromo 100mm some rise, ITM cromo 120mm,
Syncros Alum. 120mm SOLD

* Bontrager cranks 175mm taken from a single speed, could be used for 2 rings
useage. ISIS compatible SOLD

* Hayes HFX9 hydraulic Brakes Set SOLD

If interested make in any item me an offer, save me the time from ebay.

Thanks,
Toby

Worlds Report

October 6-7, 2006
World 24hr Solo Championship
Conyers International Horse Park, Conyers Ga.

Lap 1: Lemans start was as uncomfortable as ever. Pacing started early for me, case in point the run, just trying to settle into my pace as quick as I could. Saddled up on my back–up bike (X-Caliber) looked up and one long line of riders all the way from solo pit row up to the start of the single track. This was going to be fight all the way around the first lap or two.
Constantly jockeying for a better position, this can really turn your screws early and waste valuable energy. So after settling into a pace I was somewhat comfy with, I notice some play in the cranks on my bike. Having had a loose crankarm before I knew this was going to be a fixer upper on the trail. Luckily I had some form a multi tool on me. Not the correct tool for the job but something that would work. So twice I had to stop and tighten the crankarm. Plus I took a digger in some soft sand and flopped around like a dead roach. With my pride stuffed back in my back pocket I continued back to my pit. Having lost at least 10min. on my main rivals would be more mental than physical to overcome.

Lap 2-6: What can I say? Plans change, with no real mechanical help for the race I had to access the damage on the X-Cal and decide quickly what to do. I had to go ahead and hop onto my primary bike early. Plans were to ride the X-Cal for at least 3-4 laps. This was an effort to make T-dog a bit more aggressive. Oh well onto the full suspension for the next 22hrs. Putting that fiasco behind me I settled into my own pace and started turning out consistent laps.
As always Erin was in charge of the pit with the help of her mother (Lynn). They kept me topped off Hammer Nutrition and moral support. Nutrition was spot on for the race, using a variety of Hammer Nutrition products (ex. Race Caps, Anti Fatigue, Endurolytes, HEED, Sustained Energy, Hammer Gel @ Hammer Bars) plus the occasional splash of Red Bull.
Around 6 pm concerned moments of mental stability. I came into the pit cross-eyed and bit confused. I couldn’t explain it I just wanted to go and lay down in the hotel across the street. “Suck it up and get, get on now, get up outta here” Erin. If you act like a dog you will be treated like a dog. After looking back on the race the six hour mark was a huge barrier for me to get over. Considering that was the longest ride I had completed since July. Other than that I have able to get about six hours a week. Yeah now I got 18 hours to go. Currently riding in 4th place about 30 minutes back on 2nd and 3rd.

Laps 7-12: This would put me out around midnight, the half way point. These laps went by fast. Pace was right where I wanted to see it. Lights had to be up and running around 7 p.m. The night laps are always a test in there own right. With the course conditions being very dry and dusty, made for difficult riding. The dust was so bad you could not see all the dips, rocks and roots that littered the trail. Let’s just call them hidden dangers. I’ve never experienced conditions like this, where the trail had a bright glow about it, almost like a glare. I’ve always banked on my abilities to ride well at night. Generally speaking this is I can usually make time on my rivals.

Laps 13-18: This would have run me through the graveyard shift, now just ticking the laps over. Game plan was to pit every other lap. This plan was to strike fear into my rivals. From a pit person’s perspective at 3am if a rider is turning out consistently fast laps they tend to get worried. This also worked well giving Erin a chance to sleep a bit. Temps were dropping all night long rumors of high 40’s. Uncomfortable for sitting in the pit waiting for your crazy ass husband to come around with some off the wall demands. So as Erin was sleeping I would rummage through the pit looking for any and everything to eat. So as for the race around sunrise when Erin awoke she gave me some info that I had moved from 4th to 2nd throughout the night. With the rhythm on and enthusiasm high I finally felt like Toby.

Laps 19-21: Sunrise was and always is a very welcome sight in a 24hr solo race. No more lights and time ticking down. With just under 6 hour of racing left I had to focus on finishing strong. Dreams of pancakes and eggs filled my thoughts as my stomach cried out for fuel. Pulled into the pit and what ya see but a plate of cold leftover breakfast someone hasn’t finished. “Hey ya gonna finish that, na I don’t need a fork I got fingers.” Oh yeah the race my pit crew all rested and excited informed me that I had ridden myself into 2nd place over the night. Yeah for me now can someone make a run to MickyD’s for more pancakes and eggs? Forget visions of sugar plums lets talk pancakes. Inspired that they will be waiting on the next lap I quickly busted out two hotish laps. So close to the finish with the win out of my grasp I just slipped into survival mode. With pancakes waiting I took my last break to scarf down breakfast and even teased The Stick with a floppy one.

Able to complete another lap or two I loose count. I crossed the line for the last time at 11:07 with 21 laps officially sitting in 2nd place in the 30-34 age group.

Mission accomplished I impressed my own self by not breaking down at the 6 hour mark. Completing 21 just 1 lap off my all time lap record set back in ’03. I would like extend a huge THANK YOU SO MUCH to my sponsors Harrell’s Bicycle World, Garmin Navigation Systems, Paul & Bryan for the lights. If it weren’t for great friends and loyal sponsors none of this would have been possible. Till Next Time.

Toby

Another 2nd Place

Howdey Folks - Just wanted to post a quick recap of this past weekend's event. First things first another 2nd place in the Worlds 30-34 age group. Completing 21 laps in 23:07 @ 8mi a pop. So 168mi off road was not to shabby for someone who has been reduced to training about 6hrs a week. Thanks to my 6am cycle class for making me get up and attend classes. Surprisingly I'm not that badly damaged.

Somehow my body was spared from the rough course over in Georgia. Give me a couple days to get caught up and I'll get a full report out to ya. Till then

Toby

Interesting Link

This could be an interesting link throughout the race if your interested or bored.

www.ride424.com/races