Golf cross training

Golf cross training with Jeff Dickey...


-Mike Joos

NECS #1 - Glocester Grind

School has been pretty crazy these last few weeks, and I still have another month to go before the insanity ends. Junior year is rough; AP tests, SATs, SAT IIs (click the link, I know you are just dying to), the ACT (had to throw that in too) and finals (link to my school?...nah) are all super stressful and aren't conducive to staying in shape. So, my regular riding and racing has been neglected a bit. This past week, I had a break from the madness and decided to catch up on some bike riding, and of course, racing. I did a road ride up to New Hampshire on Saturday, which amounted to about 4.5 hours of pedaling. I figured that having not ridden for a while, I would be slower at the race anyway, so by riding a bunch the day before, I could use that as an excuse for not doing so hot the next day. I didn't have to resort to that though, as I actually felt pretty energetic on Sunday. I headed down to Glocester, Rhode Island, not to be confused with Gloucester, MA (note the "u"). Both host bike races, the difference being that in Rhode Island, they don't feel the need for street signs, so getting lost en route is inevitable. Luckily I had already gone through that in 2008.



The course is in someone's backyard, which happens to be a giant swamp (ie: mud) with tricky rock gardens everywhere. In 2008, the mud was deep and you couldn't see the rocks. This year, you could see the rocks, but they were just as dangerous.



The parking lots were full.



Cool timing system that posted results immediately.

The race went well - no crashing and no mechanicals. I, as well as most people realized that running some of the rock gardens cyclocross style was the quickest method. I like the course, but I can see why some might not. It is relentless and it is not easy to get into a rhythm. I had fun, though. Ryan was the only other junior. I had said at the start line "let's not kill it at the start, let's ease into it" because of the rock gardens that cannot be blasted through safely. He agreed, but when he fell back on the first lap, I felt as though I had just told him "go slow so I can get a gap." That wasn't my intention, anyway. I rode the entire race with one of the female pros who told me from behind about some secret lines through the rock gardens. We had fun racing together. For whatever reason, I didn't feel too tired at the finish, while others were trying to hold down their breakfast. My time was decent, about mid-pack. Hopefully once I start riding
more regularly again (more than once a week!) I can get back into the faster Cat.1 times.

I got interviewed by Colt from Cyclingdirt.org. He is great to talk to and it is amazing how much bike racing has shaped his life. I learned that he missed 48 days of school one year for traveling to races across the country. He is on a seven year plan at Harvard, since he spends most semesters filming and riding.

Race Video
Helmet Cam
Results

Photo from Craig Mello.

Matching

I run when I don't have time to ride. My old shoes were falling apart, so I got some new Asics. They perfectly match my new Scott Team Issue MTB shoes. They have the same shade of yellow.

On the Rocks At French Creek

On the Rocks At French Creek
Elverson, PA
Saturday, May 08, 2010

A two lap (each lap 10 mile) race. same as last weekend’s MASS series race (@ the granogue estate) this race is the only time that bikes are allowed on the property. So I felt fortunate to have the opportunity to ride these sweet trails on the only day every year that it is legal to do so.

About half way through my first lap I get a flat tire and was passed by all riders in my category. Flat tires during races are pretty demotivating. But seeing as money goes 15 deep I knew I still stood a chance to rake in some cash so I resorted to plan B which was finish top 15.

I pulled it off, finishing 13th.

All results

Several others on the scott rc crew were there…

Scott Wilson finished 2nd in cat 1


Jay Dodge finished 1st in the maters cat 1

Cam Dodge was riding strong in the pro/open until he got a mechanical

-Mike Joos

Sponsor Highlight- Raw Revolution

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 Taking in enough calories on long rides is tough.  Usually, by the time you've gotten enough, you feel like you'd rather take a nap than keep riding.  These things are packed with just under 300 calories per credit card size bar, which keeps me feeling like a champ and not like I'm carrying so much that my jersey feels like its hanging down to my knees. 

If your not into nuts either, don't worry.  Later this summer, Raw Rev is set to release three new, non-nut based bars. (Dates and cashews are the big ingredients in the regular guys)  I got a little sneak peak and got a chance to try them out a few weeks ago.  Personally, I'm looking forward to the Tropical Banana.  Check them out.

Wawayanda Spring Cleaning Race Report From John

Wawayanda Spring Cleaning
H2H Campmore Series
Hewitt, NJ

A short race report from John on his and Ross' difficult race in New Jersey this past weekend at the Campmore H2Race in Hewitt, NJ:

The race was too hot (90 plus degrees and humid), too long (3hrs) and too technical with rock gardens everywhere.

This race was just about survival.

My body almost suffered total shut down multiple times.

I got a good start -- 3rd wheel out of about 30+ racers -- but, then the heat and rocks took a toll on me and every other racer there.





Many riders DNF'ed, and I should have too, but I'm stupid and just rode super slow and ended up finishing 8th.

This was the most I have ever suffered in a race.

Ross and most other racers were smart -- he pulled off on his second lap.

Results are here.

- John

Last Set of Greenbrier Photos (I promise)

Some more great photos from Greenbrier, courtesy of Kevin Dillard of Demoncats Photography.

Still clean before hitting the muddy trails

Ross working his way towards the hole-shot on the opening fire-road climb

John gritting his teeth and digging in for another lap

Aaron in full flight

A great shot of Ross coming into the finish area

The Pro podium

More Greenbrier Photos

A number excellent action shots of the team at the April 25 Greenbrier race, thanks to Gary Ryan of TooFatToRace Photography.

Aaron making it look easy on his Spark RC

Ross flying down the main downhill on the course on his Scale 29er

John hammering the same downhill with his Scale 29er

Mike rolling over the rough terrain on his Scale 29er

Andrew Mein's Excellent Adventure at Granogue - Scott Wilson's Report

Granogue Estate, DE
May 2, 2010

This race has been on my schedule for awhile now. After having a bad series of events at Tour De Tykes and being the new guy representing the Scott RC Mountain Bike Team I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well.

Not having been on the course before I wasn't sure what to expect. The course turned out to be super fun and fast with tight, twisty, rocky, rooty slightly wet singletrack and some punchy climbs. Nothing too bad in the extended let-it-all-hang-out climbs, but enough to keep you honest. Pressure aside it turned out to be a pretty good day.

The Scott Scale 29er I was riding was a smart choice turning babyhead rocks and off-camber roots into rollers. I am not sure what the headtube angle is on the bike, but it handles and turns quicker than any 26 inch full-suspension or hardtail I've ridden.

The bike performed well and so did I taking the win in the Cat 1 class.

Aaron rode for an uncontested win today and Mike rode to a strong 5th place. It was a hot day, but a good showing for the Scott guys.

Next up "On the Rocks" French Creek.

Stay Healthy,

Scott Wilson

Andrew Mein's Excellent Adventure at Granogue race

The course ended up being really fun… it was a pretty fast with some hilly sections and only a few rocky sections… Teammate Aaron Snyder took an easy victory (in the men pro open) today with no real challengers...


I came in 5th.

-Mike Joos