Will it ever stop? Yo, I don't know.

A-Train and the Diesel got a silly idea a few months back that it would be a good idea to try a 12 hour solo race.  A-Train had completed  a 6 hour solo a few years back and Diesel had a couple marathon races under his belt.  Why not.  Well after months of training and many ups and downs as to whether they should actually go through with it, the day of reckoning came.

May 12th, the weather was actually in the 50's for the start of the race.  20 degrees warmer than the average start temps this year to date.  Rain was in the forecast but they had been prepping for this for months so they had to go through with it.  Even though they got there with plenty of time to spare it seems like the morning was rushed and they had just made it to the starting line 30 seconds before the gun was to go off.  They were going to be out there for 12 hours so if they forgot anything at base camp they could just pick it up as they lapped around.

The course at Stony Creek was just over 11 miles with a mix of two track, single track and some decent climbs that would wear on the legs after a few hours.  The idea of this race for those who aren't familiar, is to go around the 11 mile course as many times as you can in the 12 hours allowed.  The plan was to stick together and see what would happen.....great plan huh?  Dub 9 was also there along with a newer friend of the team, Wil, who is proving he has some good legs as the races pile on this year.  Dubs went out fast with the leaders and it was in the best interest of the Motor Club to let him go.  So Diesl, A-Train and the man who needs a nickname, Wil, grouped together and set off for what would be an looong day in the saddles.

The laps started piling on and our trio of wheelers held tight.  The Motor boys did all of the pulling while Wil sat on and got some lessons in single track carving from Professor Diesel.  After 44 miles (over 3.5 hours) Diesel was ready for an extended rest.  A-Train needed to keep moving though as he was worried that if his arthritic knees cooled down they might shut down.  So after a quick stop A-Train told Diesel he was going to press on.  Wil had stopped and reloaded and said he was going to take off with A-Train.

Two laps later A-Train and Wil caught up with Diesel back at the tent.  The Diesel had went out for a solo lap but the three riders were reunited and ready to go out together again.  Everything was looking good for the first 200 meters of lap 7

until A-Train's wheel caught a hidden stump that sent him into instant Superman mode...aka....joining the over the bar club.  Diesel said it was a nasty fall and A-Train said, "It sure as hell felt like one."  That spill took a good 5 minutes to recover from but mostly because the Racer X-29 needed some trail side repair.

Off the trio went again in search of finishing another lap but it turned out to be a burning lap as in it took a lot out of all three riders.  They all came around close to the same time but A-Train's bike was done for the day with a bent front wheel, a front rake that wouldn't let go of the it's rotor and a bent front skewer.  After a failed attempt to mount up a loaned front wheel from Dub 9, the Titus was retired for the day.  Luckily Diesel had brought his Giant and in less than 5 minutes the pair had A-Train hooked up and ready to roll out.

This is when the rain started to set it.  It had been drizzling on and off for a couple hours but now it was coming down steadily.  A-Train and Wil had taken off again and Diesel hung back at his pace because his knees began to ache.  Diesel had to call it quits after 7 laps, 77 miles (about 7 hours of ride time).  A-Train made it  around another 3 laps with Wil on his 6 before calling it quits for the day.  The rain had wreaked havoc on the course and the Stand Raven tires on the loaned out Giant were not equipped for it.  In the end A-train had finished 11 laps covering just over 111 miles in ~10 hours.

So what was supposed to be a combined 24 hours turned out to be only 17 but both riders walked away from the day riding further than they had ever had in a single day.  Diesel did enough work to grab 7th place in his class while A-Train broke into the top 5 with Wil finishing in 6th, about a second behind him.  While both riders had a good time they are of course a few things they would do different the next time around.  Diesel was heard later saying, "If I would have ran more than a 1x9 set up he could have rode further.  Only having the 34t up front wore my legs down on the climbs later into the race."  A-Train, who also runs a 1x9 with a 36t, said, "The biggest improvement I can make the next time would be not crashing and retiring my bike."

Last, good job to our fellow Twin Six rider Jon Dub 9 for taking the win in the men's 12 Hour solo.  He finished 13 laps in the allowed time and did over 130+ miles.  Solid performance.

Visit our friends at Landshark racing to see video of the day's race: http://www.facebook.com/landsharkracing

10 Questions from an almost 10 year old

A few days ago we told you how Diesel took home his first solo win of his career.  (Remember, you heard it hear first!)  Upon hearing this news, one of our street team reporters made arrangements to sit down with The Diesel for an interview.  The Diesel, who usually doesn't talk to the media, had a soft spot for this interviewer because it was A-Train's son Chicken Bone, aka Asthon.  He thought it would be fun and after all, they have ridden together a few times and thinks he rides better than his dad.  Asked why he didn't want to interview his own father instead, Chicken Bone replied, "Well the street team just did an interview with him not to long ago.  Plus, he didn't win his race."  Ouch, that's cold.

CB - When did you start riding mountain bikes?

Diesel -  Great question to start off with Mr. Ashton.  I bought my first mountain bike in 1994 at the age of 24.  Being on a college campus at the time, it seemed everyone was getting into buying these adult sized dirt bikes.  It was great to scoot around campus and to get to class.  Your father knows WMU(Western Michigan University) campus quite well as I have come to understand. 

CB - Where you inspired by anyone to start riding?   If so, who?

Diesel - Well, thats in interesting question.  One of my roommates at the time, his name is Pat, bought a Mountain Bike for simply getting around campus.  The bike looked really cool!  Wide-body aluminum tubes, big tires, and a sweet paint job.  But he had no intentions of trail riding, and to my knowledge has never done so.  Never the less, it was Pat's purchase of that bike that inspired me to look into this sport.  Let it be on the record that I on the other hand, did have intentions beyond simply campus scooting.

CB - Why do you like mountain biking?

Diesel - Boy Mr. Ashton, you have some good questions.   Simply, mountain biking is a way to enjoy nature's outside world, get some good exercise, and to be like a kid again and get dirty.   Throw in some good old fashioned competitive bike races and it's a wonderful mixture of pure fun.

 

CB - How did you get your current bike?

Diesel - My current bike, affectionately referred to as "The Tank" since it's heavier that everyone else's bike, was bought at a bike store in Ann Arbor called Tree Fort Bikes.   It's a Santa Cruz "Blur".  (Blur is a fitting name since it is such a fast bike that it goes by you in a blur).   I have made several adjustments over the years, and it remains the #1 bike in my stable.  Your father has helped me to tune it over the years to be a very solid machine. 

CB - Which do you like best, riding with a friend or riding alone?  Why?

Diesel - Both: I enjoy riding in groups of friends because you can share experiences, build off of each others performances, and generally have a good time hanging out during the ride, and after the ride.  And then on some days, when no one else can make it out to the trails, i enjoy a good ride by myself.   It's interesting to note that when you ride by yourself, you've got to learn how to "drive" yourself with your own motivation since there is no one else there to push you.  It's a good skill to develop since often in a race you are by yourself for long stretches of time.

CB - Who is your favorite person to ride with?  Why?

Diesel - I have a good answer for this one Mr. Ashton, and this is the truth:  I enjoy riding with your father the most since he pushes me to be a better rider, and waits for me when i'm feeling slow.  We also have some nice conversations about all sorts of subjects.  As I recall, we talk about you quite often Mr. Ashton.   I hope that I can get to ride together with you and you dad sometime soon!

CB - Have you ever gotten injured while riding?

Diesel - Next question.     No, just kidding.   Yes.   But both your father and I do our best to be careful riders.   Injuries hurt, and can slow down a training season.   But, at the end of the day it is very difficult to avoid getting hurt in a sport where there are plenty of trees and rocks to get in the way.   The worst injury I suffered was a collision with another rider.   My head was down and I simply was not looking where I was going.   Don't do that Mr. Ashton, keep your head UP!

CB - Have you ever seen any animals while riding?

Diesel - Oh Yes.   Nature has always given us a chance to glimpse various critters...  Always the occasional deer.  Raccoons.  Turtles.  Mice.  Snakes.  Squirrels.  Hawks.  Skunks.   On one occasion, your father and myself helped a turtle cross the trail.   And we nearly avoided a frustrated raccoon hang in out near a tree.

CB - What was the most awkward ride you have ever been on?

Diesel - Hmmm.  You've got a string of good questions here Mr. Ashton.   Well there are two rides that come to mind.   One in particular was the first ride I did after my collision, the collision that I mentioned in Question #7.  My head was hurting from that collision, and I was simply not having a good time.  To be honest I probably should not have been on the trail, but I just did not want to miss some good trail riding.   Now the other ride that was awkward was when you dad's bike kept breaking!   I think we had to pull over 12 times to keep resetting the pivot bolt!!  (don't let him read that part - in fact maybe we better keep that between ourselves).

CB - Out of all the races you have done, which was your favorite and why?

Diesel - Mr. Ashton, this is a great question to wrap up with.  Although there are several races that are high on the list, and I enjoy almost all of them, The Tree Farm Relay tops the list.  It's the event with the best balance of fun atmosphere and good natured competition.   Many riders dress up in very funny costumes and complete the entire race!   Thank you for this opportunity to sit down together and talk bikes.  I can't wait to see you out at one of our events.  But I know that you have to help out at home and take care of  the home business, so do a good job of that!
Lets do this again sometime.


 

 

Head north and real sudden like turn left

Those were the basic directions given to our Motoring Misfits last Sunday morning.  Thier journey, altho not very far, brought them to Michigan's well known east side trail, Pontiac Lake....dun dun dah!!!!  Aside from it being in the mid 30's that morning with frost covering every stationary thing as far as the eyes could see...yes even the porta johns were frozen....the weather called for sun and mild temps for the day.

A-Train was the first to arrive at the scene.  After trying to melt the ice in the porta john, he b-lined it to the registration table where he mingled and was merry.  Later he met up with Dub 9 and got some strategy from 'The 'Hitman' Powers during the warm up spin. The  Diesel arrived shortly after and thought it best to illegally park his truck in an illegal way that was hard to prove it was illegal in the first place.

The Diesel checked over A-Train's bike and they headed to the starting line.  Rider after rider the Elites and Experts went off in the standard time trial format two by two like sea sick animals leaving the Ark.  The A-Train rode a solid, clean, functional, evenly distributed, much needed and later Diesely approved race.  2 laps for a total of 20 miles and he knocked them down at 43:18 and 43:27, enough to land him in 7th place overall in his class.  He was pleasantly pleasant with his finish until Diesel later notified him that he was less than 5 seconds out of 6th place and less than 10 second out from a podium 5th place....DOH!

Maybe if he would have worked on his climbing form a bit during the off season he could have made up that 10 seconds.  Somebody get this man his inhaler!  A trail side standerbyer did quote A-Train saying, "Man I hope I look as good in my pictures as Dub-9 does."  Um, nope.

A-Train was busy missing his lap around when it was almost time for Diesel to do his work.  Diesel is no stranger to racing so prep and warm up was routine for him.  Plus the soon to be Mrs Diesel was all dolled up and on sight to support her man that day.  She knew the importance of this race and was there doing something important, not exactly sure what, but was there looking important for him in time of importantness.

Here we see Diesel making sure his name was spelled correctly on the timing sheet.  "Yeah, there is only one 'I' in Diesel....and you're looking at him."

Next the spy cams, well not really (thanks Andrea T), caught Diesel putting up that #1 finger knowing he had the race all wrapped up (note:  A-Train is waaay more arrogant that Diesel and it ppears has become a bad influence on him)

Diesel did his lap fast enough to put the hurtin' on his class and took home his first solo win flying the MOTOR flag.  We later found out this was the first solo win of his cycling career and he contributed it to a daily dose of Puffins and a mostly black race kit that was slimming which aided his confidence.  (A look at the podium in Diesel's class)

So ended the first race of the points chase known as the USAC Tailwinds Race series.  Next up our Motorers will be traveling to Stony Creek on May 12th to try their legs in an endurace race.  the big question is whether to do the 6 hour solos or 12 hour solos.......stay tuned to find out