Dusk to Dawn 2009
by Clint Hosman on December 8th, 2009
Travis, myself, and the boys from South Mountain Cycle where out in force this weekend for the DCB Dawn to Dusk race. I know I’m going to get crap from everyone in the mid west for this but it was freezing cold out there! At start time it was 36 degrees and didn’t break out into the 40s until after 10 AM. Getting the legs motivated to move when it’s that cold all day takes some work and of course me being the smart guy I forgot to pack leg warmers or even knee warmers so my skinny white legs had no protection from the elements. Maybe you cold weather guys have some insight into keeping your legs moving when it’s that cold.
Erik from SMC got the team off in good time on his first lap; I was all set for the second lap when just minutes before we expected him in Craig saw that my front tire was completely flat! It was quickly decided that I would jump on Erik’s bike when he came through as we have the same pedals and Craig ran back to our camp to get my tire changed. There are benefits to riding with shop guys though because my bike was back in my hands with a new tube in a matter of three minutes tops! It was just in the nick of time too because no sooner did I have it back in my hands then I was off for my first lap.
The drama continued though when Travis on his first lap broke his chain and spoke in the back. Thankfully we had an extra bike out there that was cannibalized for him to get out on his second lap.
Erik put in the fastest team lap for us though because we didn’t have the little micro timing chips on the lap times over all where suspect. I think he got his power from his wicked witch socks. Despite the timing, mechanicals’ and cold weather the Evomo/SMC team came in second place at the end of the day only 10 or so minutes down on number one.
We didn’t stick around all night for the awards because we all have family’s to get back to and some miles to drive to get back. Before we left however Travis won the over all title for the Dust Devil fall series in single speed. Way to go Travis.
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What an adventure… yea if the mid west crew could chime in on solutions for staying warm, that would be great. I did a road ride sunday and it was in the low 50s… my fingers and nuts were cold as a witches titty. I even had Titec full finger DH gloves on.
I had to put on my team sunglasses when I seen Clint’s white ghost legs..Get some SUN!
Good work guys! I’d love to jump into a team effort like than and try to turn some fast laps with you. Sounds like you were faced with some pretty extreme weather – poor guys. I can relate to that kind of cold, it was minus 30 degrees with the wind chill this morning on my commute to work. I didn’t forget my leg warmers though. In all seriousness, the mid 30’s is a tough temp. to prepare for, because it’s not that cold, but cold enough to tighten everything up. I have no problem using those little toe warmer things for the shoes or even wrapping the mesh toe box of the shoe in duct tape to stop the wind. Duct tape works in a lot of ways, I even know guys who have put strips of it under their eyes and on the bridge of their nose to stop the frost bite. I find that it’s the contact points that suffer the most (anything that touches the bike), mostly the hands and feet. Keeping the ends of the body warm or capped (literally) will keep the rest of the body warm. Focus on the hands, feet and a light hat under the helmet and you’re good to go.
Bring the Ruk!
Sounds like an interesting day. I’d love to give you some tips to keep warm in the cold weather. When you get cold weather, let me know
I have one word for you for keeping warm….layers. As you warm up, you can remove a layer. But remember, put the tights on OVER the shorts. Nobody want to see you rearranging those layers.