OK so things have been a little quiet for a while - no excuse.
The racing season ended with the XTM 4 hour race at Hawley Lake. Team Darkstar MTB finished with a flourish taking the win in the mixed pair class. The number of laps was limited by the fact that all laps had to be completed by the 4 hour mark. I like races like that.
Next major race, hopefully, will be the 18 Hours of Fruita in the USA. We just have to get through the winter...
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Down to Earth - with a Bang!!
It was not the return home that I had planned...
Having been unwell towards the end of the flight back from Phoenix, I was feeling 'delicate' as we drove home. Just around the corner from our house, I felt unwell again and Roy stopped the car. I released my seatbelt, opened the door, leant out and WHAM!
I had passed out and fallen out of the door onto the kerb. I awoke to a very concerned Roy trying to get me up. There was rather alot of blood and he wanted to find out where it was coming from. I didn't want to move but I did managed to roll onto my back and got him to call 999.
And then...
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16 days riding my mountain bike with no incidents and then this happens.
I don't recommend it without a parachute and a helmet!!
Having been unwell towards the end of the flight back from Phoenix, I was feeling 'delicate' as we drove home. Just around the corner from our house, I felt unwell again and Roy stopped the car. I released my seatbelt, opened the door, leant out and WHAM!
I had passed out and fallen out of the door onto the kerb. I awoke to a very concerned Roy trying to get me up. There was rather alot of blood and he wanted to find out where it was coming from. I didn't want to move but I did managed to roll onto my back and got him to call 999.
And then...
- 1 fast response Medic
- 1 ambulance
- 2 sick bowls
- 1 injection of anti-sickness medicine (arm still hurts from that)
- 1 litre saline (for the dehydration)
- 1 tube superglue (for the cut in my broken nose)
- 1 dose antibiotics (for the inner ear infection)
- 5 hours in A&E
I was not a pretty sight when I got home
Getting better or worse
Green is not my usual colour
16 days riding my mountain bike with no incidents and then this happens.
I don't recommend it without a parachute and a helmet!!
Friday, 10 June 2011
Road Trip - the route
The planing started smoe time ago, as did the training. Finally things are coming together.
The planned route is shown below:
We just have to rely on the world's favourite airline to get us and our bikes across the pond all togther.
Roll on tomorrow.
The planned route is shown below:
We just have to rely on the world's favourite airline to get us and our bikes across the pond all togther.
Roll on tomorrow.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
24HITEF
This time in 10 days, the 24 hours in the Enchanted Forest mountain bike race will be about to start.
Before then, Team Darkstar MTB has some other stuff to do,
Upon arrival in Arizona the search will be on to find some great beer. This should not be so difficult as we have conveniently booked a hotel in Tempe which is just around the corner from Four Peaks Brewing. They usually have 12 beers on tap along with 1 on the hand pump. Definitely a beer for whatever mood we are in.
Sunday with be spent shopping:
On the Monday we are off to camp for 3 nights in Kodachrome State Park, Utah - no TV, no radio, no Internet - BLISS; no beer if we haven't found any in Arizona - NOT BLISS.
There is some great riding to be had and some awesome scenery to look at. It is also at 5800 ft - good for acclimatisation.
Before we head to the race venue, we have 1 night in civilisation to shop, fuel and enjoy some more beer.
On the Friday, we head into New Mexico to the race venue in the Zuni Mountains - let the fun begin.
Before then, Team Darkstar MTB has some other stuff to do,
Upon arrival in Arizona the search will be on to find some great beer. This should not be so difficult as we have conveniently booked a hotel in Tempe which is just around the corner from Four Peaks Brewing. They usually have 12 beers on tap along with 1 on the hand pump. Definitely a beer for whatever mood we are in.
Sunday with be spent shopping:
- Camping gear (sleeping bags, chairs, lamp, propane gas for the cooker and the lantern, coolbox)
- Food
- and Beer - essential as we will be heading for the home of 4% beer UTAH!
On the Monday we are off to camp for 3 nights in Kodachrome State Park, Utah - no TV, no radio, no Internet - BLISS; no beer if we haven't found any in Arizona - NOT BLISS.
There is some great riding to be had and some awesome scenery to look at. It is also at 5800 ft - good for acclimatisation.
Before we head to the race venue, we have 1 night in civilisation to shop, fuel and enjoy some more beer.
On the Friday, we head into New Mexico to the race venue in the Zuni Mountains - let the fun begin.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
My name is Tumbleweed...
...and I am the official mascot of Team Darkstar MTB. I am a coyote.
I signed up for the team shortly after they had stayed in Cave Creek, Arizona - home of the famous Chilli beer - the beer that tastes like a lager and goes down like a scotch.
Well anyway, they were staying in the hotel next door and were lucky enough to see some of my cousins come down from Black mountain and head across the parking lot. The dice of fate had been rolled. Passing through the airport on the way home, I was found in one of the stores. My adoption certificate said 'my name is Tumbleweed' - the same name as the Cave Creek hotel they had stayed in and the deal was done. The year was 1998.
Since then I have travelled extensively for business and pleasure and even got as far as Tasmania. I didn't see their famous devils though.
The camping trips are the best as I have seen some great wildlife. Like the coyote that wanted our chicken dinner and the 4.5 foot rattlesnake that slithered though our camp site. I make a great 'guard' coyote.
I have been the team mascot during mountain bike races. Always looks like too much hard work to me.
There have been other incidents as well.
I remember the time we all headed up to Mesa Verde in the snow. She thought it was very amusing to shove my nose in the snow. I was so cross. It was not a nice thing to do. I gave then the cold shoulder for days.
In 2005 the team headed out to travel the 100 miles of White Rim Road in Canyonlands, Utah. We met some great guys - Lee, Cole and Jay (it's not a race guys). I got to travel in the Western Spirit vehicle, on it and best of all, on the backpacks. It was brilliant fun seeing the fabulous scenery and camping in the wild. Not so certain about the pit toilets though.
On the same trip, we were camping in a state park in Colorado during a massive storm. We were the only tent. In the middle of the night, I thought we were going to float away as the area we we in filled with water.The base of the tent was more like a water bed. We were the hero's of the park as we had stayed in the tent all night - and survived.
Below are some of the other things I have been able to do:
skiing in Durango (OK - in the hotel in Durango. Safer that way)
mountain biking in Fruita, Colorado
howled at the full moon in Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
but best of all, enjoyed some great beer!! Can a coyote be done for 'drunk in charge of a human'?
I signed up for the team shortly after they had stayed in Cave Creek, Arizona - home of the famous Chilli beer - the beer that tastes like a lager and goes down like a scotch.
Well anyway, they were staying in the hotel next door and were lucky enough to see some of my cousins come down from Black mountain and head across the parking lot. The dice of fate had been rolled. Passing through the airport on the way home, I was found in one of the stores. My adoption certificate said 'my name is Tumbleweed' - the same name as the Cave Creek hotel they had stayed in and the deal was done. The year was 1998.
Since then I have travelled extensively for business and pleasure and even got as far as Tasmania. I didn't see their famous devils though.
The camping trips are the best as I have seen some great wildlife. Like the coyote that wanted our chicken dinner and the 4.5 foot rattlesnake that slithered though our camp site. I make a great 'guard' coyote.
I have been the team mascot during mountain bike races. Always looks like too much hard work to me.
There have been other incidents as well.
I remember the time we all headed up to Mesa Verde in the snow. She thought it was very amusing to shove my nose in the snow. I was so cross. It was not a nice thing to do. I gave then the cold shoulder for days.
In 2005 the team headed out to travel the 100 miles of White Rim Road in Canyonlands, Utah. We met some great guys - Lee, Cole and Jay (it's not a race guys). I got to travel in the Western Spirit vehicle, on it and best of all, on the backpacks. It was brilliant fun seeing the fabulous scenery and camping in the wild. Not so certain about the pit toilets though.
skiing in Durango (OK - in the hotel in Durango. Safer that way)
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Feed me!!!
One of the hardest things to predict during a 24 hour mountain bike race is what to eat, or more accurately, what you will want to eat.
The obvious nutrition are the energy products (powders, gels and bars) which are readily available. Every one has their favourites, the products that work well for them. The products of choice for Team Darkstar MTB are Maximuscle/Maxifuel Viper range.
I first encountered Viper while suffering from extreme cramp during Twentyfour12 at Cotswold Farm Park. As I writhed in agony, a fellow rider asked what was wrong. "Cramp" I managed to say. "Try this - it works for me" he said, threw a Viper Extreme bar at me and rode off. It worked and I have been a fan ever since.
Well back to the other foods that you crave during a race.
Some races are particularly good and have caterers that are open for the duration of the race. Quaver catering are great and are the caterers for Twentyfour12. Sweet or savoury crepes, jacket potatoes with a wide range of fillings, porridge (YUK), burgers, chillli, flapjacks, hot drinks - whatever you crave, the answer can be found there.
However, some races are not so well provided for - usually due to the large number of teams with their own catering or the self-sufficient smallerr teams in their motor homes . Our first visit the the 24 ore Roma fell into this category. In the middle of the night, I wanted a jacket potato with cheese. The best I could manage was a flat bread filled with chunks of Parmesan and parma ham. The following year we managed much better with a bit of planning and visiting the local supermarket.
Whatever happens, I always know that I will want something savory. Those sweet gels and energy drinks will guarantee that.
Note to self - do a Viper product review in another post
The shopping list usually includes:
Marmite
Salted peanuts
Pot noodles (or similar)
Bananas
Salted crisps (must be plain ones)
Strong cheese
Tinned pasta
Soup
I generally buy things that aren't perishable so don't go to waste
Oh - I nearly forgot
BEER
For after the race of course - it makes a great recovery drink and the best reward for all the effort!
The obvious nutrition are the energy products (powders, gels and bars) which are readily available. Every one has their favourites, the products that work well for them. The products of choice for Team Darkstar MTB are Maximuscle/Maxifuel Viper range.
I first encountered Viper while suffering from extreme cramp during Twentyfour12 at Cotswold Farm Park. As I writhed in agony, a fellow rider asked what was wrong. "Cramp" I managed to say. "Try this - it works for me" he said, threw a Viper Extreme bar at me and rode off. It worked and I have been a fan ever since.
Well back to the other foods that you crave during a race.
Some races are particularly good and have caterers that are open for the duration of the race. Quaver catering are great and are the caterers for Twentyfour12. Sweet or savoury crepes, jacket potatoes with a wide range of fillings, porridge (YUK), burgers, chillli, flapjacks, hot drinks - whatever you crave, the answer can be found there.
However, some races are not so well provided for - usually due to the large number of teams with their own catering or the self-sufficient smallerr teams in their motor homes . Our first visit the the 24 ore Roma fell into this category. In the middle of the night, I wanted a jacket potato with cheese. The best I could manage was a flat bread filled with chunks of Parmesan and parma ham. The following year we managed much better with a bit of planning and visiting the local supermarket.
Whatever happens, I always know that I will want something savory. Those sweet gels and energy drinks will guarantee that.
Note to self - do a Viper product review in another post
The shopping list usually includes:
Marmite
Salted peanuts
Pot noodles (or similar)
Bananas
Salted crisps (must be plain ones)
Strong cheese
Tinned pasta
Soup
I generally buy things that aren't perishable so don't go to waste
Oh - I nearly forgot
BEER
For after the race of course - it makes a great recovery drink and the best reward for all the effort!
Monday, 30 May 2011
19 days to go...
With under 3 weeks to go, things are coming together for our trip stateside for the 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest.
Flights - check
Hotels - check
Car rental - check
Swag - check
Dollars - still to do
Bicycles - er, therein lies a story...
At the start of 2011, my choice of bike was clear - I would be using my Scott Scale Contessa, Mary, my carbon hardtail. This was thrown into disarray following a trip to Bedgebury for a demo day where I tried 3 different 29er bikes. I found the 29er suited my style of riiding and gave me added confidence when riding over rough terrain. Although I had tried the Giant XTC 29er, a bit of research revealed that Scott made a similar spec'd bike, they even had a carbon version. The hunt was on. Scott had vastly underestimated the demand for their Scale 29er Pro and it was impossible to find one in the right size - more acurately, any size. I decided to go for the Elite model - decision made. Or so I thought.
@QuestAdventure tweeted and Facebooked to announce that they would be getting 2 Scale 29er Pros in. I called the shop and before I knew it, I had upgraded. The carbon bike rode like a dream. I was left with 6 weeks to get used to a new set of wheels (which I have done). And I need to think of a new name.
BeerBikers bike choice was already sorted. Last year he acquired a Giant XTC2 carbon frame (The Frame with no Name) which he built up using parts from a previous bike. It was aptly named 'the Bike with No Name' (I call it Clint). It is now sporting some new 'bling' following it's final service before the race.
Flights - check
Hotels - check
Car rental - check
Swag - check
Dollars - still to do
Bicycles - er, therein lies a story...
At the start of 2011, my choice of bike was clear - I would be using my Scott Scale Contessa, Mary, my carbon hardtail. This was thrown into disarray following a trip to Bedgebury for a demo day where I tried 3 different 29er bikes. I found the 29er suited my style of riiding and gave me added confidence when riding over rough terrain. Although I had tried the Giant XTC 29er, a bit of research revealed that Scott made a similar spec'd bike, they even had a carbon version. The hunt was on. Scott had vastly underestimated the demand for their Scale 29er Pro and it was impossible to find one in the right size - more acurately, any size. I decided to go for the Elite model - decision made. Or so I thought.
@QuestAdventure tweeted and Facebooked to announce that they would be getting 2 Scale 29er Pros in. I called the shop and before I knew it, I had upgraded. The carbon bike rode like a dream. I was left with 6 weeks to get used to a new set of wheels (which I have done). And I need to think of a new name.
BeerBikers bike choice was already sorted. Last year he acquired a Giant XTC2 carbon frame (The Frame with no Name) which he built up using parts from a previous bike. It was aptly named 'the Bike with No Name' (I call it Clint). It is now sporting some new 'bling' following it's final service before the race.
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