The desert is a harsh mistress
by Clint Hosman on March 30th, 2008
It was great ride yesterday out at the McDowell mountain park again. I wanted to get at least one more lap around the course I will be racing Friday but didn’t want to burn myself out in the process. I should have known better then to ride with others to get this done because I meet up with Travis and a couple of the fast guys out of Focus Cyclery, Dan “the fastest Canadian” and Lane “the colonel” Sanders. Dan is currently in a battle for the top position in the 19-40 expert division in the state against my Evomo team mate Matt Connors.
When we where about to roll out we meet up with a couple old friends, another Semi Pro Brandon who I have been racing against for years and Tom, one of the fastest single speeders you will ever meet. Currently they are riding for a local race team called Adrenaline. All together there were 7 of us and despite my best intentions of making it a rather mellow day on the bike you just can’t help but go fast. Together we put on a blistering 23 miles around the Pemberton loop as well as the lower competitive loop.
Its not often that you can get this many guys together that want to go fast but when it happens you can get in some good race pace training. At some points its almost like your riding with roadies considering the length of the pace line.
On this one you can see the top of Travis’s red helmet leading the pack out of the switch back.
Here is Lanes brand Knew carbon Cannondale Scalpel, Its incredible how light this bike is.
The trail got us ready for race day in more ways then just the pace. The name of the game out here is how fast you can hold the corners. With the absence of any really long climbs often times it just comes down to who can stay on the bike. It has been a couple of weeks without any rain so the trails are loosening up into their typical state and you have to be on your guard to stay on the main line going through or you will wash out and go down. Both Travis and Brandon relearned that lesson today.
For that very reason it’s hard to beat the 29er out here. Add on top the Maxxis CrossMarks and it’s a combination that is can’t be beat. With the added stability the 29er gives you it’s easier to keep it upright through high speed turns. Add in all the ins and outs of the washes on course and the momentum the wheels gives you allow you to roll fast in one side and out the other.
Yesterday was also my first ride on the Ergon grips. So far they felt great, I will be putting them through the real test Friday. I figure if they can keep my hands from going numb over 70 miles they should work every ware else.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:51 am
Good stuff, good luck in the race. Always good to ride with strong guys.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:38 am
Next weekend will be an exciting race! Good luck guys.