Thurs Night Ride

I'm hoping to strap a light to my helmet and hit the woods this Thurs. Thinking 6 from Mont Alto. Anybody interested in joining me?

Happy Halloween and other stuff

*NEW: The volunteer ride for the Iron Cross this Saturday from Seven Mountains Boy Scout Camp has been cancelled due to lack of interest.

I hope everyone made it through the storm OK. Just a few things before we move into the weekend.

If you go into the woods be very careful! There will be as much deadwood hanging in trees as there is on the ground. Look up often. The good news is "new logs everywhere!"
Also, the falls and the creek branch at Caledonia State Park should be a sight to see for the next few days. The water should be way up.

The SMCC Enduro is this Sunday. Good luck to everyone racing. MBM's fastest and some of the slowest (that would be me) are entered in this event. At this time I am trying to determine if the weather has changed the plan for the race. As soon as I know I'll pass that info on in a comment.
Here's the link for more info. I think reg is now closed so you must sign up on race day. http://www.bikereg.com/17501 BikeReg does not show mailed in entries.

Is anyone interested in posting a day trip ride? If so post a suggestion and lets get some interest.

Happy Halloween!  

Armageddon Beer!

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/10/24/scottish-brewer-unveils-brewmeister-armageddon-world-strongest-proof-beer/

10/28 ride

A few of us are going to ride from Big Flat tomorrow @ 9AM. If the weather is terrible I won't be there. We will ride in light to moderate rain but not high winds. Expect a 3 plus hour ride with lots of regrouping.

PROOF!

2012 Audit

On behalf of the officers and in accordance with our by-laws,
We would like a member-volunteer to represent the membership and audit the finances of our club. The findings will be delivered to the President and presented to the entire club in an end of year "state of the club" email.
If several people volunteer, the VP and Secretary will select one person from the pool of volunteers. This individual will work with the Treasurer to complete the review of the account.
Any member interested should contact me using the email address at the right for more information. The deadline to apply is noon on Friday the 26th. If there are no volunteers, I will accept a Treasurer's report as the audit and report that information to the membership.

Thank you,
Brian
MBM President 2012

You decide

Most of you have heard by now that Lance had every win he has to his name revoked. Regardless of the truth I just want to point out that no proof has been presented. Every piece of evidence is hearsay. If the 26 people making the claims have anything to gain by doing so then understand that they instantly lack credibility. I would also like to point out that Lance took 301 drug tests during 7 Tours and passed every one of them. Instead the powers that be chose to read a good book about alleged abuse which puzzles me. This is the same as a jury finding you not guilty and the judge sentencing you anyway. I'm not saying he did or he didn't, I would just like to see with my own eyes irrefutable proof to back the claims. A picture, a video, a failed drug test, any piece of physical proof would settle it. What is unsettling is that there is none.

So, please refer to the very first post on our blog in August of 2006. There you will see the greatest drug test taker in the world riding his bike. He won fair and square because he passed all the tests established to identify illegal doping. So you can take away the wins but how do you take away 301 passed drug tests??? The very least they need to do is demonstrate with certainty how he managed to defy detection over 300 times. Anyone can write 2000 pages of crap, just read the tax code.

I wish Lance well.

Post on my friends. I know many of you may not agree. That's fine.

Sunday Long Travel Ride.

Long Pine Reservoir lot again! Ride at 9am.
Enduro Style casual road climbs and bomb trails. Everything on the 233 side of the mountain. Should be lots of fun! Several options. Several cutout points.

Bring the full sussers.
We expect to lose at least half the group on the first casual road climb due to mechanicals, misdirection, lost riders and confusion! ; )

The last one to arrive is sweeper! First one to ask where we're going is ride leader!!

See you there.
~slow

no ride this week?

To follow up that post with Video

Watch more video of Jeremiah Bishop on cyclingdirt.org

I fell in to the Burning Ring of Fire...

They dropped down down down, and then climbed even higher. With moments of torrential rains, lots of fallen leaves, and a shorter day, Jeremiah Bishop and Sam Koerber had a lofty goal set ahead of them: a speed attempt on the "Ring of Fire".

What is the Ring?
Info about the ring here: http://www.shenandoahbicycle.com/the-ring/
The loop is here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1812888

68 miles of "barely rideable singletrack" as Jeremiah put it. There have been 2 people to finish it. Sunday night I was in the right place at the right time, and ended up driving around to support them on the attempt yesterday. This thing is cool. If anyone could do it in 12 hours, it was these two. With 15 miles of hell left to go (about 4 hours more), daylight was gone, and the attempt was over. They'll be back to conquer it another day though.

Can a Michaux rider be the next to conquer the ring of fire? All I can say is bring lights, full suspension, and be ready to suffer like you never have before.

Rothrock / Bald Eagle near State College

Our friends from up north have planned an Enduro. Take note that groups entering this event can ride together! (if possible) There is an address to mail entries also. If you are considering riding as a group you should mail the entries. Address is at the bottom of the post.

Register here: http://www.bikereg.com/17501

Sunday Ride 10/14

Long Pine Reservoir lot.
Ride at 9am.
We'll hit some trails we don't ride often.
See you there.

GRAN FONDO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

https://www.bikereg.com/Net/17125/source=PE

 

GRAN FONDO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Frederick, MD

October 14, 2012

Start Time: 7am

 

3 Loops to Choose From: 100 mile, 62 mile, 32 mile
Event Open to All

2012 Gran Fondo National Champions Crowned100mile category winners receive a Gran Fondo National Champion Jersey
4 Timed Sections – Best Combined Time Wins
Prizes for Age Group Winners
Awards for 62mile and 32 mile winners
In 2013 Gran Fondo National Championship Series^SM Will Consist of 6 Events

Ride with your friends, Race with your friends
Fully Stocked Aid Stations to keep you going
Over 10,000 feet of climbing in the 100 mile Loop

The Gran Fondo National Championship in historic Frederick, Maryland is your opportunity to earn the title of fastest rider in the incredible Gran Fondo arena. We offer some of the longest timed sections and most challenging terrain of any Gran Fondo. The rider with the fastest combined time through each designated section will have truly earned their National Championship jersey.

“Come Challenge Yourself”

Register at:
www.bikereg.com

Cost: $95, $75, $50
NO REFUNDS

IronCross 2012 version H.2

First - Thank you to MBM for the entry and thank you to all of those that helped at the race and thank you to all that gave encouragement along the way. 

A little back story – I first went to try and finish Iron Cross in 2010.  I had helped at CP4 for a few years and saw what the back of the pack looked like and the effort that they had spent and thought “I can do that (maybe)”.  So, I planned my attempt for months based on finishing in less than 8 hours.  I showed up and my number for the race was 8.  I accomplished my goal of an under 8 hour Iron Cross and finished in 7:45:12.  It was the hardest thing I have ever done on a bike (including this year’s race).  This year I set my goal to finish Iron Cross in less than seven hours.  Well, this year I showed up and my race number for Iron Cross was 7.

The race - I lined up in the middle of the pack at the start.  I figured this would push me to start quicker and it did, maybe a bit too quick.  I saw Dave, Brian, Bird & Ralph a few times before CP2.  But as I climbed Milesburn it started to go wrong.  I was cramping a little and dreadfully  thought this is way too soon.  Wigwam took too long to climb and I was cramping badly in the valley between Wigwam and Don’s photo spot at the next “run” up.  Still, I got to CP2 in a respectable time, but I was to pay for that.  I struggled on anything uphill from there until half way up Hogshead.  I was way behind schedule, but somehow I managed to get into a rhythm and started to pull back some time and some riders.  By the time I got to CP4, I was back in a groove and riding fairly well.  I knew I had to make up time in the last section to beat seven hours.  I had 1:10 left and in 2010 it took me 1:45 (in 2010 this section was about two miles longer to finish at Camp Thompson).  It didn’t look good, but I could taste that seven hour mark and I managed to push through a lot of cramping to reach Larry’s Tavern at 6:51.  I skipped the beer and continued after that 7 hour mark.  I came screaming down 233 and went over that hump in the road in my largest gear, but I finished at 7:00:49.  At first I was disappointed, but then I was immensely pleased with the big picture.  I had taken 45 minutes off of my previous time!

Highlights (not mentioned above):

Bird, Brian & Ralph encouraging me to keep riding my cross bike on Lippencote while they pass me on their mountain bikes.

Brian riding so strong after all that he’s been through.

Dr. Dave passing me three times in a single lap race.

Surprising Don and Larry by getting to them much earlier than they had expected. 

Being passed by people that I thought were miles ahead of me.

Passing riders after CP4 instead of being passed.

Those two slightly inebriated ladies at the finish (you know who you are). 

--Hans

Iron Cross 2012

Just wanted to thank MBM for the awesome aid station and the opportunity to ride yesterday. I had a great experience and had an awesome adventure. Bird and Fults were awesome to ride with and with no mechanicals and no major blowups we were able to finish. It was great to meet Hans and see Dr. Dave recover from his mechanicals to finish strong.
Thanks again!!!!

October Already??

What happened to summer? I woke up this morning and it was gone?

Now that the leaves are falling it's time to start wearing more orange. Just dodge the arrows and you'll be fine for a few more weeks! Here's a link for exact dates on all 2012 hunting seasons. 

If you're running in the Ship Army ROTC 10K today, you're going to be late! Get up and get going!!
The best of luck to everyone running!

If you are racing in America's Original Ultracross Race tomorrow I wish you very strong legs, no rain, traction and a time to remember!
I've never done it. I'm thinking there won't be any regrets down the road either. However, MBM is providing marshals and a check point for all of Sector 2. For those that don't know Sector 2 (and I'm just taking a shot at this...get it? hunting season?..anyways : )

Sector 2: The southern most section of the Iron Cross race consisting of the largest portion of single track hike-a-bike in the loop. Infested with whining, bonking, "why do I do this" cycling enthusiasts who did not anticipate carrying their bike up loose, rocky, 800 foot climbs. This section has come to be known as "Hike-a-bike-hell."

If you're out watching the Iron Cross race. Stop in at checkpoint 2. First rider through about 11am or sooner. (the power line crossing on Stillhouse Hollow Road.)

Have a great weekend everyone!!

~slowride

And the winners are (insert Drum roll)

Winner winner chicken dinner
Free IC entries go to -

RJ
Bird
Hans
T
Dr Dave

I will be sending you an email with additional information. Congrats and have fun! See you on Sunday!

P.S. - we still need volunteers for Sunday. If you know of anyone interested have them contact me or give me their contact info and I will persistently contact/badger them.

Tuesday Night Ride (10/2)

Anyone up for a Tuesday night ride?  Might be able to start early or late if that helps.  Open to riding anywhere in Michaux but would prefer Caledonia or Big Flat start locations.  You can twist my arm for  Mont Alto or Old Forge, though.  I'll show up anyway.  I'm easy.  ;-)

Scott