Sorry for the lack of bloggering lately. Had plenty to do as of lately. Starting a bike shop, riding, gardening and racing. I finally got to participate in the 24 Hours of Big Bear. I have been wanting to race there since Laird moved the race three years ago. So how did the iplayoutside/WVMBA Dream Team do: WE WON!! Its good thing being named the dream team and all, we definitely had some pressure on our shoulders. But we all (Jason Cyr, Chris McGill, Andy Weidrich, and Me) pulled through. We turned solid consistent laps for the entire 24 hours especially after the sun set. I must say I had a super good time and even though Laird fleeced us I would like to do it again. A special thanks to the team support staff: Mandi, John Harpold, Mike Bo-Yes, and Andy Asshole. They kept things light and fun, fed us, roused us and kept our bikes clean and working great.
A week later found Mandi and I in Calhoun County at the County Park for another Appalachian Classic. That's 10 Ap Classics in a row for us. The 2008 edition has got to be the best one yet. JR Petsko did a bang up job making sure the event was fun, memorable and very very hard. The festivities started on Saturday with time trial starting at 2pm. We arrived just in time. We were a bit delayed do to a flat tire on the go cart (hyundai). Time trials are hard and no fun if you ever have a chance to do one don't. To short, to intense. Almost immediately after the TT it was time for the bike polo. The folks from up in Athens brought there A and B squad and totally schooled all the down home West Virginians. I def did not bring my A game and fell over several times, took out my own teammates one several occasions and got schooled by a girl(my wife). Mandi is a polo natural and Kelly Shaw from up Athens way is phenomenal. I can't wait to play again someday its was a super blast. Then it was time for the short track, what a full day. Singlespeeds and shorttrack do not mix. But it was fun. I only got lapped by JB four times! I did get the biggest air off the big six foot roller so my day was saved. Mandi mixed it up with the other expert women and the sportys so her race was a bit more exciting and very confusing. After three laps I had no clue who was winning and who was lapped. After the short track it was time for some live music. The WEEDHAWKS are awesome! They were funny,entertaining, and very good musicians. The libations were flowing freely and I must say Mandi and I both had a killer time. Can't wait to see Weedhawks again someday. To bed.
Sunday was XC day. Three laps of the same old Ap Classic course with a few new twists and turns thanks to JR. My race got of to a very rocky start. I collided with Dowain Ford on the gravel path leading to the first trail. It was totally my fault. I need to use my brain when I race, I might learn one of these days. My first lap sucked, my second lap sucked less and my third was great. I ended up third in the hotly contested Singlespeed class. Mandi's race went about as good as mine. She had some mechanical problems and didn't feel very spunky. Overall it was super fun weekend, wish they could all be like that.
This past weekend was also very full. I participated in The Davis Health System Tri on Saturday. It is definitely a huge departure from MTB racing but it was fun. I was on a team full of ringers, what you thought I did it solo. I rode the bike portion on a borrowed road bike ( I no longer have one) and set a course record. Not because I am an exceptional road rider, far from it, but because it was almost all climbing. The team set a course record also. I would tell you my teammates names but I do not remember. I met them the morning of the tri. The tri was a good time but tri folks are nothing like MTB folks, there a little weird.
Sunday was MTB race day again. This time it was very close to home. Davis was host to the WV State Championships again this year. The guys at BWB have been busting there butts on the trails off Camp 70 road and had them in excellent condition until we raced on them. It rained a lot Saturday night and the trails were super MUDDY, SWAMPY,BOGGY and FUN. Hardcore power riding conditions to bad I am not a power full rider. I held my own though and once again finished third in the SS class barely getting edge out by Mr. McGill. Mandi had a great race. She finished closer to Betsy than she has in years and beat lots of dudes that usually beat her. The after race food was the highlight of the race. Sirianni's pizza, best pizza and pasta salad ever. Then we hung out behind BWB shooting the shit and drinking beer until 9pm. It was a great time. WV MTB folks are the best.
Next week is the Tour de Burg in Harrisonburg Va. Mandi and I have been wanting to do it for years and we thought this year should be the year. But we have changed our minds. We have decided to stay close to home let the car set and do some bike camping and have big adventure near home. I can't wait.
Peace, JOEY.
A week later found Mandi and I in Calhoun County at the County Park for another Appalachian Classic. That's 10 Ap Classics in a row for us. The 2008 edition has got to be the best one yet. JR Petsko did a bang up job making sure the event was fun, memorable and very very hard. The festivities started on Saturday with time trial starting at 2pm. We arrived just in time. We were a bit delayed do to a flat tire on the go cart (hyundai). Time trials are hard and no fun if you ever have a chance to do one don't. To short, to intense. Almost immediately after the TT it was time for the bike polo. The folks from up in Athens brought there A and B squad and totally schooled all the down home West Virginians. I def did not bring my A game and fell over several times, took out my own teammates one several occasions and got schooled by a girl(my wife). Mandi is a polo natural and Kelly Shaw from up Athens way is phenomenal. I can't wait to play again someday its was a super blast. Then it was time for the short track, what a full day. Singlespeeds and shorttrack do not mix. But it was fun. I only got lapped by JB four times! I did get the biggest air off the big six foot roller so my day was saved. Mandi mixed it up with the other expert women and the sportys so her race was a bit more exciting and very confusing. After three laps I had no clue who was winning and who was lapped. After the short track it was time for some live music. The WEEDHAWKS are awesome! They were funny,entertaining, and very good musicians. The libations were flowing freely and I must say Mandi and I both had a killer time. Can't wait to see Weedhawks again someday. To bed.
Sunday was XC day. Three laps of the same old Ap Classic course with a few new twists and turns thanks to JR. My race got of to a very rocky start. I collided with Dowain Ford on the gravel path leading to the first trail. It was totally my fault. I need to use my brain when I race, I might learn one of these days. My first lap sucked, my second lap sucked less and my third was great. I ended up third in the hotly contested Singlespeed class. Mandi's race went about as good as mine. She had some mechanical problems and didn't feel very spunky. Overall it was super fun weekend, wish they could all be like that.
This past weekend was also very full. I participated in The Davis Health System Tri on Saturday. It is definitely a huge departure from MTB racing but it was fun. I was on a team full of ringers, what you thought I did it solo. I rode the bike portion on a borrowed road bike ( I no longer have one) and set a course record. Not because I am an exceptional road rider, far from it, but because it was almost all climbing. The team set a course record also. I would tell you my teammates names but I do not remember. I met them the morning of the tri. The tri was a good time but tri folks are nothing like MTB folks, there a little weird.
Sunday was MTB race day again. This time it was very close to home. Davis was host to the WV State Championships again this year. The guys at BWB have been busting there butts on the trails off Camp 70 road and had them in excellent condition until we raced on them. It rained a lot Saturday night and the trails were super MUDDY, SWAMPY,BOGGY and FUN. Hardcore power riding conditions to bad I am not a power full rider. I held my own though and once again finished third in the SS class barely getting edge out by Mr. McGill. Mandi had a great race. She finished closer to Betsy than she has in years and beat lots of dudes that usually beat her. The after race food was the highlight of the race. Sirianni's pizza, best pizza and pasta salad ever. Then we hung out behind BWB shooting the shit and drinking beer until 9pm. It was a great time. WV MTB folks are the best.
Next week is the Tour de Burg in Harrisonburg Va. Mandi and I have been wanting to do it for years and we thought this year should be the year. But we have changed our minds. We have decided to stay close to home let the car set and do some bike camping and have big adventure near home. I can't wait.
Peace, JOEY.
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