First off all my apologies as I'm late on this post, Jared was very diligent and got his take of Reimers Ranch online a few hours on getting back from the ride. The goal of this expedition was to ride the beginner course for the upcoming Singletrack Stampede race. I really didn't know what to expect from the course, I have ridden mountain bikes for many years in many different places, but none as technical as the first 2 miles of the course. Since I hadn't ridden on a trail in 8 years this was quite the experience. The first time through the course I had hit the dirt about 4 times! At least a couple of them were pretty hard. I still have the bruises to prove it. At least I didn't get too bloody.
The first 2 miles is very rocky with logs and roots and trees thrown in for good measure. On the first lap I was mentally questioning what I had gotten myself into. Luckily after the 2 miles it clears out and gets into more manageable terrain. Still a few roots and trees to navigate through and a lot of switch backs but at least there are some straight aways to build up some speed. The first time through the course my time was 01:26:02, but 13 of those minutes were recovering from my spills, active time of 01:13:26.
The second time through was a lot better, I didn't hit the dirt at all. I made it through more of the technical section without having to dismount, but there were still sections I just got off the bike and walked over. The second time through my duration was 1:08:43 with an active time of 1:02:38, so it looks like I took 6 minutes in water breaks. My average speed for the second time through was 10.26mph and my max speed was 21.17mph.
It looks like my best strategy is to just get through the first technical part as best I can and then just hammer it the last 8 miles and hopefully catch up with everybody.
At least we found some great BBQ in a little whole in the wall on Hamilton Pool Road. We both had wraps and were they not only inexpensive but they were filled. I think the price for a wrap was $2.50 and as much BBQ they had in them it could have easily been double that.
Apr 9, 2008 at 7:51 PM I would guess that mixing road and off-road rides improves your overall biking. I'm not ready for that yet. Thanks for your comment regarding nutrition during rides--I learned a lot from all the feedback.
Apr 9, 2008 at 10:25 PM Hope you're getting ready for this weekend! I'm exciting about going out there even though I won't be riding :(
Road biking has more health benefits than mountain biking...either is better than neither, but road biking will help your endurance out quite a bit...mountain biking will help, but no where near as much as road biking. Mountain biking is more mental/technical where road biking is more endurance/stamina...both are fun!
Apr 10, 2008 at 6:40 AM Back in the 90's when I was doing only mountain biking it seemed there was a line you couldn't cross. You either rode mountain bikes or road bikes and never the 2 should cross. But now I run into more mountain bike racers that have road bikes and ride them on longer training rides. I know from last weekends ride I had used a lot of upper body muscles as my arms felt tired and a little sore afterwards. Something that has never happened on the road. I think for a conditioning standpoint I'm ready for the course, I could have went around several more times if time had permitted and if I didn't fear for my life on the first part.
One bike difference I see between the 2 disciplines is mountain biking involves more sprinting. At least on the courses like this, there were not a lot of straight sections where you could get your speed up over 20 mph, it was a lot of short bursts and tight turns where you'd want to sprint out of to gain speed for the next turn. So a lot more aerobic.
My son has a cub scout function on Saturday, hopefully it will be done in time for me to get out to the course and go through the first timer class.
Apr 10, 2008 at 9:21 PM I'm one of those odd types that takes the mountain bike out on road rides. Last year I did one day of RAGBRAI on a Specialized 29'er prototype. That was a hoot doing 65 miles with the knobbies humming. I couldn't sneak up on anyone.
Otherwise running around here in Wisconsin, I'll just ride on the shoulder for a good resistance ride and to put in the hours on the bike. Getting the hours on the bike helps for the endurance events.
Apr 14, 2008 at 8:00 PM So how was it?! UPDATE!!!!