CnS Training Ride 5/11

The wind blew and blew harder for this ride.

This ride we had Big Jim, Bob, Crash!, Coach Doak, John K, and me.  The plan was to ride 52 miles, once around Stoney and then on to Richmond via the Macomb Orchard Trail.  The ride around Stoney was very nice and we made it around.  After once around the main group rolled out of the park

After the bomb down 26 Mile road we arrive at Mound Rd and hooked back up to the Macomb Orchard trail.  We rolled the trail until the bridge just after the barn overpass (over M53).  We cracked open a couple of fermented beverages, as is customary for the last training ride for Zoo-de-Mack.

Bob and Big Jim Turned back at Romeo Plank as they needed to get back to the car by noon due to time constraints.

At this point Crash! and I were the only ones left on the trail.  We didn't make it to Richmond.  on the return trip we smelled the donuts from the Cider stand in Romeo so we stopped for donuts.  They were so fresh.  The sales girl took the donuts and put them into the cinnamon sugar in the back room.  We sat at a small cafe table in the from of the stand and enjoyed coffee and donuts.

We will not have a training ride next week as the team will be up north at the Zoo-de-Mack. We will work on a real schedule for training ride after Zoo-de-Mack so we all can still get together and Ride

I had failed to take any picture for this ride so I will leave you with this....



Ride on....
Mossy

Pros, Joes and Weekend Riders pay attention!

While I support and appreciate the sanctioned MTB racing governing body (USA Cycling and UCI), I also believe and race in the unsanctioned endurance MTB events across this country.  The governing body is looking to impose the long forgotten rule (1.2.019) in 2014 fining all pros $107 for each unsanctioned event they participate.  This would also include fines on top-level amateurs as well.

Help preserve events such as Leadville100 & 50, Shanendoah100, the Breck Epic, and many other events open to anyone who is willing to test their skill and endurance.  Such events are growing in both prize money and word of mouth, something the our national "sanctioned" series can't quite match.  Oh, by the way the Pros are joining in on the "unsanctioned" events due to the growing prize money and recognition.  

Who can argue such a decision by the Pros and the many of us novice riders?  The USAC can and are trying lure promoters, yet all these promoters and members get are more complications, fees, growing expenses and more stringent regulations.

My vote is for the growth of more "unsanctioned" events both nationally and internationally, and a continuous reminder by all of you (who love biking) to your local USAC and IMBA organization.

CnS Training Ride 5/5

Beautiful Weather....  It was the best day ever for the ride.  We started out as a foursome, but we ended with two.  

Riders included Jakester, Combs, Mossy and a new rider John K.  

The plan was to complete 40 miles for this ride.  We initialy started out for Stoney Creek for two loops around the park.  At the top of the intial hill John K, the new rider, said "You didn't tell me we would hit a hill right away!"  My reply was "Whoops, Sorry, Surprise, My bad..."  I am not sure he accepted that answer.  At the same time Jake's knee was hurting.  so I told him to turn around and call it a day.  Jake was only going to injure his knee further by attempting the ride.

After the two loops we said goodbye to John K.  Combs and I headed out to the mountain bike trails in the back of Stoney,  Once on the trails we rode to the back and slipped through the fence and onto Sheldon Rd.  We climbed the hills on Sheldon until we got to Gunn Rd, where the real hills are.  These hills can get 14% uphill climbs and above.  Most of the Stoney hill max out at 8% grade and are much shorter.

Gunn Rd took us to Paint Creek Trail, we rode down the path to Paint Creek and rod out to Lake Orion.  At the end of the trail we took a short break and head back to Rochester to have a final rest stop at Rochester Mills Brewery.  At the brewery we snacked on Chicken Nachos and dehydrated with a wonderful Maibock.  The Maiback was like heaven after 35 miles.  After the "Mills" we rode an easy 4 miles back to our cars.

Sorry guys no photos of this week's ride so I will leave you with this

Next week we will doing our last training ride for Zoo-de-Mack... A glorious 52 miles.

Ride on.... 

Mossy

Crank-n-Stein Training Ride

Our regular training ride was Sunday.  The weather was sketchy, but we made the ride.

The ride was out to Lake Orion on the Paint Creek Trail and back.  Of course the ride out was the grind up to LO.  Once in downtown Lake Orion we looked for and found the new BREWERY.  Hooray, Lake Orion has made it to the Big time with a brewery to re-hydrate us!!!!  But, the brewery was not open yet as we arrived around 10:30.  Booo.  So we stopped for breakfast at CJs.

We stared rolling back to Shelby when the rain started to sprinkle on us.  We made a quick stop in Rochester to check out a tented area Next to Rochester Mills Brewery.  It looked like a home improvement show, so we motored on to the cars.  We didn't really get too wet or got the bikes too dirty.

We completed the planned 28 miles and returned to the car at 12:30.

We look forward to everyone next Sunday at 9am!!!  Be there!!  Only two more training rides until Zoo-de-Mack.  I have a special new route for next week.

QOTD:  Is it ever too rainy to complete a training ride?

Ride on...
Mossy

Crank-n-Stein Training Ride

Jake, Karl and I where out for the first official Zoo-de-Mack training ride.   This was a 16 mile hilly ride at Stoney Creek. The Sun was shining and the temperature was cool around 40 degrees when we ended.

Where was everyone else you ask?  Don't know, I suppose it was too cold or too early for most people.
















Soon we will need to start adding in Tough Mudder training to the plan!

What is the coldest temperature you will ride in?


Ride on...
Mossy

Training Ride 4/14

Rich, John and I were out for a training ride this morning.  We started with a minimum distance of 20 miles.  On the way out we  decided John would be the one determining when we turned around.  At mile 12.5 we asked John when we would be turning around, he determined 14 miles would be good.


We finished jusrt in time as the rain started just after we left the parking lot.






Ride on...
Mossy

Zoo-de-Mack Training rides

Crank-n-Stein Spring Rides

All rides will start from 25 Mile Rd and Shelby Rd at 9am.

• ·         Sunday, April, 21^st  – 16 miles; Stoney Creek – Road bike suitable
• ·         Sunday, April 28^th – 27 miles; Paint Creek Trail – Mountain bike suitable
• ·         Sunday, May 5^th – 42 miles; – Clinton River Trail – Mountain ride suitable
• ·         Saturday, May 11^th – 52 miles; Stoney Creek/Macomb Orchard Trail – Road bike suitable
• ·         Saturday, May 18^th – 51 miles; ZDM on M119– road bike suitable

Remember to get training rides in during the week. At least 30 to 60 minutes in duration. 

Ride on...

Where are your favorite places to ride?

Easton XC70 and the First Spring Ride

I got my first spring ride in in 2013 for 15 miles.  I had originally planned 10, but the sun was out and the weather was great. I did ride on the smooth surface of the Macomb Orchard trail due to my knee injury. 

I purchased a Easton XC70 wheel set.  This is an awesome set of wheel the weight and stiffness make for an incredible upgrade to my Gary Fisher Paragon.  Dialing in the avid brakes was a bit of a pain, but I finally got it.  I have mounted the my road tires, Continental Gator Skins.  What a great ride, nice and smooth.  These tires will stay mounted until Zoo-de-Mack.




I will attempt to start posting once week to the blog.  I will be setting up the spring training ride schedule this week.

Ride on....

What wheel set do you ride on?

Michigan 2013 Endurance MTB Schedule

Welcome to 2013 Michigan Race Schedule
http://www.funpromotions.com/endurancecup.html