Oh well hello there, it's been awhile. In fact, it's been a long long while since I've updated this, and my oh my a lot can change in just a year. One short year ago I was planning on doing whatever it took to go professional in cross country and road. Needless to say that didn't work out so well.
The past year has been a rollercoaster with some big highs and some rather lowly lows. If you're one of the select few you know what I'm talking about. It has made me a much much stronger person in the end, and I wouldn't change it for anything. The best part of it? I have found myself again, and it took awhile, but I know the man upstairs had a plan for me, and it was to teach me some life lessons and make me a stronger person in the end. After all no race was as difficult as some of the experiences I went through the past year.
So what is my plan? Well to be the best garsh dang bicycle rider I can be! Not only that, but to be the best person I can be, and always be there for my family! I've found out life is far to short this past year in fact far, far, far to short.
I'm re-dedicated to hone my craft of cycling for 2014, and I have some extra motivation to perform well. In fact I would like to dedicate the rest of my races to Abriel, who's life was taken from us far to soon. I wanna make you proud, because I know you're looking down on me, and I just wanna make you proud of not only the cyclist I become, but also the person I become. This is for you little man. You will forever be in my heart, and I will not forget you.
-Austin C Line
Friday, October 11, 2013
Monday, October 1, 2012
Decisions....Decisions....
Well it's that point in the year really when it's time to make some tough decisions. Life is full of decisions, and heck there are a ton more decisions that carry more meaning than the ones I will make for 2013 for my cycling season, but they are decisions none the less....
Like the decision of my focus for the next upcoming season. Of course to do that ya have to reflect on the season that has passed. So let's do that for a short bit shall we? I would call the season a moderate success. I underachieved for a portion, and then got a few good results, but I'm a glass half empty kind of guy, so I see the failures more than I see the successes such as winning the Oregon XC Series Cat 1 19-34 Title, and winning a couple crits, doing well in some road races, and more importantly a podium finish at the US Mountain Bike Marathon Nationals. That means I tend to focus on the bad, such as a lackluster finish at the Cascade Cycling Classic in which I finished 13th overall. Not quite what I wanted, but not bad considering the lack of time on a TT bike beforehand. But still I wanted to finish up there in the overall soooo bad, but all it's going to do is motivate me for next year! Speaking of next year....
I have decisions I have to make to ensure I reach my goals this time. Such as the possibility (more than likely) decision of leaving this place I called home for a warmed climate to build a better base for next season. But than there's the decision of what races do I truly want to focus on next year?
I've decided that I'm going to have a steady diet of stage racing to my 2013 calender because ya know what? These are the events that I love the most, and feel that with the proper training I could accomplish some things. Yes I love mountain biking, and the atmosphere that comes with it, but nothing compares to digging deep on a last stage to try to come out on top after a few days of racing. Yes I'll still race some mountain bike races, but the focus is truly going to be on the road stepping forward.
Nothing is 100% certain, but 2013 could be one wild ride!
-Austin Line
Like the decision of my focus for the next upcoming season. Of course to do that ya have to reflect on the season that has passed. So let's do that for a short bit shall we? I would call the season a moderate success. I underachieved for a portion, and then got a few good results, but I'm a glass half empty kind of guy, so I see the failures more than I see the successes such as winning the Oregon XC Series Cat 1 19-34 Title, and winning a couple crits, doing well in some road races, and more importantly a podium finish at the US Mountain Bike Marathon Nationals. That means I tend to focus on the bad, such as a lackluster finish at the Cascade Cycling Classic in which I finished 13th overall. Not quite what I wanted, but not bad considering the lack of time on a TT bike beforehand. But still I wanted to finish up there in the overall soooo bad, but all it's going to do is motivate me for next year! Speaking of next year....
I have decisions I have to make to ensure I reach my goals this time. Such as the possibility (more than likely) decision of leaving this place I called home for a warmed climate to build a better base for next season. But than there's the decision of what races do I truly want to focus on next year?
I've decided that I'm going to have a steady diet of stage racing to my 2013 calender because ya know what? These are the events that I love the most, and feel that with the proper training I could accomplish some things. Yes I love mountain biking, and the atmosphere that comes with it, but nothing compares to digging deep on a last stage to try to come out on top after a few days of racing. Yes I'll still race some mountain bike races, but the focus is truly going to be on the road stepping forward.
Nothing is 100% certain, but 2013 could be one wild ride!
-Austin Line
Friday, September 21, 2012
Marathon Natz Recap
So.....It's been awhile since i've updated this thing, but I vow I will get much better at keeping things updated from now on. Let's see what have I missed? Oh that race....What's it called? Oh yeah that's right....US Mountain Bike Marathon Nationals!
Let's just say the week leading up to them didn't really go according to plan....First off I was expecting the new 29er to be ready to rock and roll on Wednesday with the race being on Saturday....Well that didn't really happen, but it did get built! Only.....It was Friday the night before the race when it was done, but when it was all said and done it weighed in at an incredible 21lbs, and a quick spin on it cofirmed what I had thought....This is going to be one fast bike! With everything ready to go I went to "sleep" as I knew it was going to be a tough day ahead of me in the morning..
Well....The sleep was going good until my body decided ya know what? I'm going to wake up at 2 in the morning and not go to bed...Dang it.....So with around 3 or so hours of sleep I was wondering how this whole race was going to pan out...I arrived at the Wanoga Sno Park, and it was a brisk 43 degrees....Yeah....Wasn't digging the early morning temps that's for sure...I picked up my number plate, and then proceeded to keep warm in the confines of the car. Before I knew it it was almost go time, and I was excited yet nervous at the same time. Not knowing how my body was going to react at all, but I was optimistic.
Of course there was call ups for riders who have scored USA Cycling points, but of course being from Oregon, and mostly racing in Oregon that doesn't equal getting USAC points due to the fact we have the awesome sanctioning body of OBRA for our racing! But all was not lost because I was still in the 2nd row on the start. The gun went off, and it was a high pace on the double track, which is something I would become accustomed to in the opening few miles of the race. Originally it was a group of about 4 of us at the front setting a solid tempo trying to put some time into our rivals! As we got to one of the more steep climbs I soon learned the attacks were going to come flying....Yeah....Umm....No thanks, and my body just wasn't ready for such fierce attacks, and I decided ya know what? It's a long race, so I'll just set a nice solid tempo, so I don't end up blowing up, and having to charge the 45 some odd miles remaining on fumes....This was a great idea, but it also meant that I got passed by another few people putting me in 7th. It was at this point I knew I could try to rely on my endurance to bring me back in the game.
Slowly, but surely I reeled some of them in...I moved up two places on the flagline climb to put me in 5th in the category, but I wasn't really happy with that, and continued to try and see if I could catch anyone else...Of course normally a course with this much climbing isn't really my cup of tea, but I had to make the most of it. I was sure regretting not pre riding the course at all before the race....Note to self...Use make use of my close proximity to the race course..
I continued to plug along, and it was finally on the downhills in which I noticed the true capabilities of the 29er...Wow....You barely have to pedal to rocket downhill on these things! It's no wonder there the trend for around this area! The extra traction in the soft moon dust corners was just icing on the cake as I'm pretty sure I was rocketing through sections I'm sure I would have been second guessing at the same speeds on the 26er..
I didn't see any competitors for a long long time....That is until Dynamo hum...At least I think that's what it's called...I gotta get out and explore my backyard more....I saw a familiar kit from earlier in the race off in the distance, and I knew I had to catch him before we started descending again as I knew I had the edge there. So I plugged along on the climb keeping a decent clip, not over reaching, but not soft pedaling either. Just a nice solid pace. He bobbled, and made a mistake hit a rock, and I was able to squeeze by, and determined to to let him follow my lines, and pace off me I gunned it in an effort to put some time into him, and it worked! Yes...I was moving up in the race after all! After at least an hour or so of being solo passing nobody except some Pro Women who had started 10 minutes before our race.
I would have to say Dynamo is probably one of the most fun trails I haven't been on yet, and I really want to ride it more now that I know it exist! Diving through turns, and quick uphills followed by quick downhills, and some flowing turns...It was just all Central Oregon biking is about...I vow to return! But unfortunately the fun had to come to an end, and it was off to some more fire roads! Except these ones looked a bit more familiar than the ones in the earlier part of the race! Yes! I was getting closer to the Wanoga Sno-Park, which signals one quick loop, and I was finally done! I raced by the Sno-Park with an extra burst of energy because of it! Well...That, and the fact my mom, and some friends were cheering me on, so it gave me that extra bit of motivation to go that much faster even if my legs were on there last leg...No pun intended...
Finally....It was onto a familiar section! Tiddlywinks! I was ever so optimistic that I could possibly catch some more rivals if I put my local knowledge to use on the rest of the course of which I'm extremely familiar with! In fact last time I was racing down Tiddlywinks was Pickett's Charge, which I did well at, and had fond memories of how fast I was going on the dowhill...However this was not to be as my arms of all things were fatigued and didn't quite allow the control necessary to go downhill at the speeds I was accustomed to, well that and somewhere along the course I had burped some air out of the front tire, and now it was rolling over on itself if I pushed it a little to hard in the corners...Well....I really didn't wanna stop to give up any more time, so from then on out it was pure damage control....I knew that if I made it to the bottom, I could easily make it the rest of the way because funner is mainly uphill until the finish, and that's exactly what I did.
I have to say that was the hardest time I have EVER had getting up funner, and it may or may not have had something to do with the previous 40 some off miles, but still it just plain hurt! I suppose if I didn't feel this way then I didn't try hard enough then anyways right? So I gritted my teeth, and just grinded it out on funner determined to not lose anymore time, but not exactly expecting to gain anything either. Just expecting to stay neutral I guess you would say..It was a major relief when I got to the sno-park, and was so close to the finish..I was determined to give every last bit of energy I had, and went into TT mode on the asphalt to finish it off!
That was it....It was done....I was happy to have finished....All the hard work I had put in had come to good use as I finished 4th, which isn't exactly what I wanted, but hey it's Nationals and I gave it everything I had, and I got to go on the podium, so I'm happy about that, but next year I learned the Marathon Nationals are going to be in Sun Valley Idaho, and in one of the first weeks of July! I vow to be better prepared next year, and will be aiming for those stars and stripes! You can count on that one!
One thing I did notice was the tremendous support I received out on the course because I was a local! It seemed like every feed zone I passed I could hear people cheering me on, and calling out my name. This always gave me an extra boost to go that much faster, and I'm truly thankful for everyone that was out there supporting the racers. I couldn't have done it without you! I also want to thank my Mom, and Dad for supporting me so much, and allowing me the opportunity to do what I love to do. Then of course there's all my teammates who keep me motivated, and provide a positive atmosphere during the races. Of course there's everyone at Trinity Bikes who I wouldn't of had a bike to even ride without there help. Yes I'm talking about you Eric, and Greg! So everyone who has supported and helped me in this bike racing thing. This one was for you, but I vow it will only get better!
-Austin Line
Let's just say the week leading up to them didn't really go according to plan....First off I was expecting the new 29er to be ready to rock and roll on Wednesday with the race being on Saturday....Well that didn't really happen, but it did get built! Only.....It was Friday the night before the race when it was done, but when it was all said and done it weighed in at an incredible 21lbs, and a quick spin on it cofirmed what I had thought....This is going to be one fast bike! With everything ready to go I went to "sleep" as I knew it was going to be a tough day ahead of me in the morning..
Well....The sleep was going good until my body decided ya know what? I'm going to wake up at 2 in the morning and not go to bed...Dang it.....So with around 3 or so hours of sleep I was wondering how this whole race was going to pan out...I arrived at the Wanoga Sno Park, and it was a brisk 43 degrees....Yeah....Wasn't digging the early morning temps that's for sure...I picked up my number plate, and then proceeded to keep warm in the confines of the car. Before I knew it it was almost go time, and I was excited yet nervous at the same time. Not knowing how my body was going to react at all, but I was optimistic.
Of course there was call ups for riders who have scored USA Cycling points, but of course being from Oregon, and mostly racing in Oregon that doesn't equal getting USAC points due to the fact we have the awesome sanctioning body of OBRA for our racing! But all was not lost because I was still in the 2nd row on the start. The gun went off, and it was a high pace on the double track, which is something I would become accustomed to in the opening few miles of the race. Originally it was a group of about 4 of us at the front setting a solid tempo trying to put some time into our rivals! As we got to one of the more steep climbs I soon learned the attacks were going to come flying....Yeah....Umm....No thanks, and my body just wasn't ready for such fierce attacks, and I decided ya know what? It's a long race, so I'll just set a nice solid tempo, so I don't end up blowing up, and having to charge the 45 some odd miles remaining on fumes....This was a great idea, but it also meant that I got passed by another few people putting me in 7th. It was at this point I knew I could try to rely on my endurance to bring me back in the game.
 |
| Somewhere near Mt. Bachelor.... |
Slowly, but surely I reeled some of them in...I moved up two places on the flagline climb to put me in 5th in the category, but I wasn't really happy with that, and continued to try and see if I could catch anyone else...Of course normally a course with this much climbing isn't really my cup of tea, but I had to make the most of it. I was sure regretting not pre riding the course at all before the race....Note to self...Use make use of my close proximity to the race course..
I continued to plug along, and it was finally on the downhills in which I noticed the true capabilities of the 29er...Wow....You barely have to pedal to rocket downhill on these things! It's no wonder there the trend for around this area! The extra traction in the soft moon dust corners was just icing on the cake as I'm pretty sure I was rocketing through sections I'm sure I would have been second guessing at the same speeds on the 26er..
I didn't see any competitors for a long long time....That is until Dynamo hum...At least I think that's what it's called...I gotta get out and explore my backyard more....I saw a familiar kit from earlier in the race off in the distance, and I knew I had to catch him before we started descending again as I knew I had the edge there. So I plugged along on the climb keeping a decent clip, not over reaching, but not soft pedaling either. Just a nice solid pace. He bobbled, and made a mistake hit a rock, and I was able to squeeze by, and determined to to let him follow my lines, and pace off me I gunned it in an effort to put some time into him, and it worked! Yes...I was moving up in the race after all! After at least an hour or so of being solo passing nobody except some Pro Women who had started 10 minutes before our race.
I would have to say Dynamo is probably one of the most fun trails I haven't been on yet, and I really want to ride it more now that I know it exist! Diving through turns, and quick uphills followed by quick downhills, and some flowing turns...It was just all Central Oregon biking is about...I vow to return! But unfortunately the fun had to come to an end, and it was off to some more fire roads! Except these ones looked a bit more familiar than the ones in the earlier part of the race! Yes! I was getting closer to the Wanoga Sno-Park, which signals one quick loop, and I was finally done! I raced by the Sno-Park with an extra burst of energy because of it! Well...That, and the fact my mom, and some friends were cheering me on, so it gave me that extra bit of motivation to go that much faster even if my legs were on there last leg...No pun intended...
Finally....It was onto a familiar section! Tiddlywinks! I was ever so optimistic that I could possibly catch some more rivals if I put my local knowledge to use on the rest of the course of which I'm extremely familiar with! In fact last time I was racing down Tiddlywinks was Pickett's Charge, which I did well at, and had fond memories of how fast I was going on the dowhill...However this was not to be as my arms of all things were fatigued and didn't quite allow the control necessary to go downhill at the speeds I was accustomed to, well that and somewhere along the course I had burped some air out of the front tire, and now it was rolling over on itself if I pushed it a little to hard in the corners...Well....I really didn't wanna stop to give up any more time, so from then on out it was pure damage control....I knew that if I made it to the bottom, I could easily make it the rest of the way because funner is mainly uphill until the finish, and that's exactly what I did.
I have to say that was the hardest time I have EVER had getting up funner, and it may or may not have had something to do with the previous 40 some off miles, but still it just plain hurt! I suppose if I didn't feel this way then I didn't try hard enough then anyways right? So I gritted my teeth, and just grinded it out on funner determined to not lose anymore time, but not exactly expecting to gain anything either. Just expecting to stay neutral I guess you would say..It was a major relief when I got to the sno-park, and was so close to the finish..I was determined to give every last bit of energy I had, and went into TT mode on the asphalt to finish it off!
 |
| I'm gunning for those stars and bars next year.... |
One thing I did notice was the tremendous support I received out on the course because I was a local! It seemed like every feed zone I passed I could hear people cheering me on, and calling out my name. This always gave me an extra boost to go that much faster, and I'm truly thankful for everyone that was out there supporting the racers. I couldn't have done it without you! I also want to thank my Mom, and Dad for supporting me so much, and allowing me the opportunity to do what I love to do. Then of course there's all my teammates who keep me motivated, and provide a positive atmosphere during the races. Of course there's everyone at Trinity Bikes who I wouldn't of had a bike to even ride without there help. Yes I'm talking about you Eric, and Greg! So everyone who has supported and helped me in this bike racing thing. This one was for you, but I vow it will only get better!
-Austin Line
Friday, June 29, 2012
A whirlwind...
It seems like forever since I gave everyone an update on what I've been up to. The truth is it's been hard to sit down on the computer, and re-hash past memories between working, training, and more importantly racing. That's not to say I don't have anything to write about, because well....I do indeed. So let's see where did I leave off last? Oh yeah..I just finished a not so stellar Bear Springs race...So I guess it's time to talk about Chainbreaker eh?
Well let's see where do I start? I started off with a decent start, but the legs weren't really feeling to great to be honest, and the last lap was a killer as I was completely drained. Apparently the dust got to me, and hear got to me, and that was the end of that race unfortunately...I was still able to squeak out a 4th place finish, which I can't be to bummed about really...Well except for the fact that that bonk on lap 3 cost me a shot at the podium as I saw Doug Turnbull get ahead of me and my legs had no answer as he went on to beat me by about 12 seconds...Doh.....
Next on the race schedule was Spring Thaw...A race I have always enjoyed for it's grueling uphill battle at the start, to it's time trial at the top to the downhill at the end. All around it's probably one of the most fun races I do all year, and usually I can do pretty well there. This year...Well...My climbing was rather unspectacular...Something I need to work on more and more. But more so I think it was just more mental than anything as I pushed super hard towards the top, so obviously I had a little more in me than I expected. All in all I thought like I rode a decent race, but ended up finishing 8th or so...Not what I wanted, but the competition is usually pretty tough down there as well. So chin up, and I was ready for memorial day weekend, and the double header of racing it provides!
It starts off with a road race on saturday on the eastside of Bend called Bend Don't Break. I arrived and I was ready to go! After all it seemed like forever since I did a road race...I mean my last one was Cherry Pie...Doug LaPlaca came to me before the race, and talked about trying to get into a break with me, and of course I was like sure! Why not right?
Straight off the fun the attacks were furious and often. TAI Cycling were sending guys left, and right. I was doing everything in my power to make sure the break didn't get away without me, which would ironically cost me a little bit later in the race, but more on that later..Ryan Ness made a nice move on the 3rd or 4th lap, and nobodyelse was going to bridge up to him, so I was like well...I might as well get up there to help him to see if I can help make it stick. So that's exactly what I did...Unsure if it would actually work or not, so we traded pulls quite a few times and had a decent gap that we held for about a lap, and then the pack came roaring back with Doug LaPlaca coming to bridge back up to us, luckily he didn't bring the rest of the pack with him.
So it was the three of us trading pulls for awhile until poor Ness just couldn't do anything anymore, and eventually dropped back to the safety of the peloton. Just making LaPlaca and I more determined to ensure this move was the decisive one. Then the lead kept growing 32 seconds....1 Minute 24 Seconds....By the last lap we knew the Peloton would sit up and stop cooperating, and would go for the bunch sprint, which is exactly what happened.
LaPlaca made a solid move that I just couldn't follow because my legs were toast, and I have to give him all the credit...He was sooo strong out there, and there were times where I was doing everything I could in my power to just stay on his wheel when he made a pull..He truly deserved that victory, he had the better legs for sure. I ended up second, and honestly I was extremely happy with it! I raced my heart out, and my only worry was if I would have enough juice in the legs for the next day at the Sister's Stampede...
I was nervous when I arrived at the race in Sisters...Unsure of how my legs would react after the hard effort the day before, and unsure of where I would end up because of that....Interesting tidbit...Mr. Eric Helie...AKA....The man at Trinity Bikes who runs things....AKA....My Boss...Made a comment about my back tire looking a little low, and said something about getting a flat....I shrugged it off, and was like eh My tire pressure is fine, this is what I usually run. Neither of us knew how right he would actually be in the end...
I headed to the start line in the front because I knew getting a good start means starting at the front with the big dogs, and it makes the race so much easier when you're racing from the front instead of in the back. I know this from personal experience. To my surprise my legs were feeling amazing for the 2nd day in a row! I got a nice solid start, and was with some uber fast guys so I knew I was doing pretty good in my category...Keyword would be was....I got to the rock section, which literally is only a few more minutes from the finish line, and then it happened...The tire went instantly flat, and my heart sank....All that work....For nothing I thought....There was no question about it....I was extremely disappointed...To be doing so good, and feeling amazing, and then it can all change in an instant. It's what makes the sport of Mountain Biking so tough sometimes, yet it's still what makes me come back to it again, and again. It just wasn't meant to be that day. I felt robbed, and abused, but I knew I rode my heart out, and that's all I could really ask from myself. What stung worse was when I got back and learned based off where I was before the flat I would of taken 2nd with some time to spare..
But there are positives in everything, and the positive out of this one was Bob Gilbert....One of my best friends....My brother from another mother made his first Cat 1 Podium since moving up! I was super proud of him! He put in a lot of hard work to finally get up there, so I was almost glad in a way that I got a flat, and it got him up there. It was a big confidence boost for him to show he belongs in the Cat 1's! I'm sure we should see him on the podium more often now! The smile on his face when he got on that podium was priceless...He looked like a big kid in a candy store....Nice job buddy! You earned it...
Well I'm getting a little tired, and I suppose I should leave some suspense for my next blog post, which will cover the last race of the series, and let's just say the series standings went down to the wire with some familiar foe...
Thanks for reading!
-Austin Line
Trinity Bikes Cycling Team
Well let's see where do I start? I started off with a decent start, but the legs weren't really feeling to great to be honest, and the last lap was a killer as I was completely drained. Apparently the dust got to me, and hear got to me, and that was the end of that race unfortunately...I was still able to squeak out a 4th place finish, which I can't be to bummed about really...Well except for the fact that that bonk on lap 3 cost me a shot at the podium as I saw Doug Turnbull get ahead of me and my legs had no answer as he went on to beat me by about 12 seconds...Doh.....
Next on the race schedule was Spring Thaw...A race I have always enjoyed for it's grueling uphill battle at the start, to it's time trial at the top to the downhill at the end. All around it's probably one of the most fun races I do all year, and usually I can do pretty well there. This year...Well...My climbing was rather unspectacular...Something I need to work on more and more. But more so I think it was just more mental than anything as I pushed super hard towards the top, so obviously I had a little more in me than I expected. All in all I thought like I rode a decent race, but ended up finishing 8th or so...Not what I wanted, but the competition is usually pretty tough down there as well. So chin up, and I was ready for memorial day weekend, and the double header of racing it provides!
It starts off with a road race on saturday on the eastside of Bend called Bend Don't Break. I arrived and I was ready to go! After all it seemed like forever since I did a road race...I mean my last one was Cherry Pie...Doug LaPlaca came to me before the race, and talked about trying to get into a break with me, and of course I was like sure! Why not right?
Straight off the fun the attacks were furious and often. TAI Cycling were sending guys left, and right. I was doing everything in my power to make sure the break didn't get away without me, which would ironically cost me a little bit later in the race, but more on that later..Ryan Ness made a nice move on the 3rd or 4th lap, and nobodyelse was going to bridge up to him, so I was like well...I might as well get up there to help him to see if I can help make it stick. So that's exactly what I did...Unsure if it would actually work or not, so we traded pulls quite a few times and had a decent gap that we held for about a lap, and then the pack came roaring back with Doug LaPlaca coming to bridge back up to us, luckily he didn't bring the rest of the pack with him.
 |
| Crossing the Finish Line at Bend Don't Break in 2nd Place |
LaPlaca made a solid move that I just couldn't follow because my legs were toast, and I have to give him all the credit...He was sooo strong out there, and there were times where I was doing everything I could in my power to just stay on his wheel when he made a pull..He truly deserved that victory, he had the better legs for sure. I ended up second, and honestly I was extremely happy with it! I raced my heart out, and my only worry was if I would have enough juice in the legs for the next day at the Sister's Stampede...
I was nervous when I arrived at the race in Sisters...Unsure of how my legs would react after the hard effort the day before, and unsure of where I would end up because of that....Interesting tidbit...Mr. Eric Helie...AKA....The man at Trinity Bikes who runs things....AKA....My Boss...Made a comment about my back tire looking a little low, and said something about getting a flat....I shrugged it off, and was like eh My tire pressure is fine, this is what I usually run. Neither of us knew how right he would actually be in the end...
I headed to the start line in the front because I knew getting a good start means starting at the front with the big dogs, and it makes the race so much easier when you're racing from the front instead of in the back. I know this from personal experience. To my surprise my legs were feeling amazing for the 2nd day in a row! I got a nice solid start, and was with some uber fast guys so I knew I was doing pretty good in my category...Keyword would be was....I got to the rock section, which literally is only a few more minutes from the finish line, and then it happened...The tire went instantly flat, and my heart sank....All that work....For nothing I thought....There was no question about it....I was extremely disappointed...To be doing so good, and feeling amazing, and then it can all change in an instant. It's what makes the sport of Mountain Biking so tough sometimes, yet it's still what makes me come back to it again, and again. It just wasn't meant to be that day. I felt robbed, and abused, but I knew I rode my heart out, and that's all I could really ask from myself. What stung worse was when I got back and learned based off where I was before the flat I would of taken 2nd with some time to spare..
But there are positives in everything, and the positive out of this one was Bob Gilbert....One of my best friends....My brother from another mother made his first Cat 1 Podium since moving up! I was super proud of him! He put in a lot of hard work to finally get up there, so I was almost glad in a way that I got a flat, and it got him up there. It was a big confidence boost for him to show he belongs in the Cat 1's! I'm sure we should see him on the podium more often now! The smile on his face when he got on that podium was priceless...He looked like a big kid in a candy store....Nice job buddy! You earned it...
Well I'm getting a little tired, and I suppose I should leave some suspense for my next blog post, which will cover the last race of the series, and let's just say the series standings went down to the wire with some familiar foe...
Thanks for reading!
-Austin Line
Trinity Bikes Cycling Team
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Bear Springs "Race Report"
Um where do I start? From the top? Oh, ok I can do that I suppose....It all started off rather unassuming when Shane, Bob and I piled into the little subbie, and onwards towards Mt.Hood where the race is pretty close to. Of course we may have been running a little bit late because someone who is usually always running late...well...guess what? He was running late. We basically got to the race venue just in the nick of time for Shane, and Bob to get off to the Short Track race they had signed up for...
When I say nick of time I really, REALLY mean it...They quite possibly did he quickest unloading of bikes, and getting chamoied up that I have ever seen....After all they only had about 5 minutes to get it done. Of course going this quick does have its downfalls...Like Shane forgetting to put on his number plate, so I had to pull off a nascar style pit stop to get his number on and get him back out there to suffer some more. All in all they did well...Although I did lose a bet to Bob that I made to him while he was racing....So yeah...I owe ya a dollar now...
After that it was time to set up base camp, and make some delicious and easy chicken pasta...Yup the best pre-race meal we could come up with the tools we were given. Of course we made a journey around the campground, and visited one particular group that had managed to create FIRE.......Yup...What do they say? If you build it they will come? Well yeah that's exactly what happened. Of course we somehow managed to get challenged to a duel in tomorrows race, and that was interesting...A duel you say? You're on! Of course we had to be the lame ones, and drifted off back to our camp to get some sleep...After all we had to prepare for our "duel"....
Let me tell you one thing that's super nice about camping at the venue where the race is taking place. You roll out of bed at a decent time (Like around 8 A.M.) and then mosey around the campground, while you know everyon else had to wake up uber early to get there, while we got our beauty sleep..Of course being there early definitely helps when nature calls because there isn't a big back log of people waiting to use them.
So we mosied around for awhile, and then decided to get suited up, and if I could describe the way my legs felt when I started to warm up...It would be Turrrrrrible...Yeah note to self don't expect my legs to cooperate when I already put 19 hours on them during the week leading up to the race. But hey what doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?
So about the race...It went...well....I finished, and that's all that's important right? I could write on and on about all the coulda, woulda, shoulda's but those are just excuses in the end. All in all there was just a bunch of people who performed better than I did, and that's the bottom line, but I do feel my legs are going to be stronger now after a week like that...22 Hours in the legs...Yup...I hope they get better...Next up: Chainbreaker!!! A race I absolutely love because it's a power course, and well I got the Powaaaaa!
Until next time,
-Austin Line
Trinity Bikes Cycling Team
When I say nick of time I really, REALLY mean it...They quite possibly did he quickest unloading of bikes, and getting chamoied up that I have ever seen....After all they only had about 5 minutes to get it done. Of course going this quick does have its downfalls...Like Shane forgetting to put on his number plate, so I had to pull off a nascar style pit stop to get his number on and get him back out there to suffer some more. All in all they did well...Although I did lose a bet to Bob that I made to him while he was racing....So yeah...I owe ya a dollar now...
After that it was time to set up base camp, and make some delicious and easy chicken pasta...Yup the best pre-race meal we could come up with the tools we were given. Of course we made a journey around the campground, and visited one particular group that had managed to create FIRE.......Yup...What do they say? If you build it they will come? Well yeah that's exactly what happened. Of course we somehow managed to get challenged to a duel in tomorrows race, and that was interesting...A duel you say? You're on! Of course we had to be the lame ones, and drifted off back to our camp to get some sleep...After all we had to prepare for our "duel"....
Let me tell you one thing that's super nice about camping at the venue where the race is taking place. You roll out of bed at a decent time (Like around 8 A.M.) and then mosey around the campground, while you know everyon else had to wake up uber early to get there, while we got our beauty sleep..Of course being there early definitely helps when nature calls because there isn't a big back log of people waiting to use them.
So we mosied around for awhile, and then decided to get suited up, and if I could describe the way my legs felt when I started to warm up...It would be Turrrrrrible...Yeah note to self don't expect my legs to cooperate when I already put 19 hours on them during the week leading up to the race. But hey what doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?
So about the race...It went...well....I finished, and that's all that's important right? I could write on and on about all the coulda, woulda, shoulda's but those are just excuses in the end. All in all there was just a bunch of people who performed better than I did, and that's the bottom line, but I do feel my legs are going to be stronger now after a week like that...22 Hours in the legs...Yup...I hope they get better...Next up: Chainbreaker!!! A race I absolutely love because it's a power course, and well I got the Powaaaaa!
Until next time,
-Austin Line
Trinity Bikes Cycling Team
Monday, May 7, 2012
MuddySlinger Racey Reporty
Like I said before I am going to catch up on these race reports before chainbreaker! So let's talk about perhaps the most well organized, insanely fun course, most slick conditions on the OBRA Calender..The day before we headed to corvallis to get our pre-registration done, and get a nice pre ride in. It ended up being one of the most fun warm up rides I've ever done with a nice climb followed by an amazing downhill that was a little slick to get ourselves prepared for the conditions we were set to take on in tommorows race.
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| Mandatory Post-Ride Picture |
Perhaps what made it the most fun was we had our photographer, and good friend Fletcher Jackson out to join us on one of his first mountain bike rides ever! He was a trooper in the slick conditions, and well....I think he may be hooked on it....Especially seeing how he now has a shiny new Marin Bolinas Ridger 29er in his collection now.
After the warm up it was off to Shane's dads to wash off the bikes, and ourselves, and of course to visit. Of course he had some yummy cheese and crackers for us to have, and he's truly a great host letting 7 people take a shower at his house. After we said our good byes it was onto the next destination...
Shane's madres! You see one of the things I have grown in love with is how good we have it when there's a race in Corvallis. I mean she sets us up nice a bed to sleep in, home cooked meals that are conducive to our cycling, and pretty much anything else you would really want! Including some not so friendly treats to slow ya down that little bit more :).. So after a good nights sleep it was D-Day...Time for some Mudslinger Action
Coming into the race I had mix feelings of what was going to happen during the race. I didn't feel like I had been riding to great as of lare, and I was definitely not hitting my training hours like I was supposed to, but none the less I was ready for another race, and whatever happens was how it was going to be. I did make the conscious decision to run some well suited mud tired though, as I knew from experience it was going to be a slick one, and boy did that turn out to be a good decision!
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| Get Dirty.... |
Basically for the rest of the race Shane, and I kept going back and forth, and let me tell you that made it one of the most fun races in a long long time! But through it all he even decided to help me out with some shot bloks! That helped me soooo much buddy, so on one of the last climbs I put in a dig and it was the last time I did see him until the finish. The climb leading back up to the finish was sooo painful yet so rewarding knowing I was just about done with the race, and as it turned out Shane rolled in only about a minute back so I was like perfect we finished right near each other, so let's hope we did alright against the rest of the field...As it turns out we did real good!
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| Did someone ask for a gunshow? |
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Echo Red to Red
Oh boy...Where do I even start? It seems so long ago...That's probably because it was, I may or may not have been slacking on this blog, but hey all that matters is I'm writing it right now right? This was the earliest mountain bike race I've done ever! Usually I wait until Hornings Hustle, which is usually a month later than this race, but it got cancelled this year. I decided to see where my form was for so early in the season, and in base mode. So we (Shane,Sean,Bob,Brian, and I) headed out for the first mountain bike race of the year on the OBRA calender.
After some long hours in the car, and some nap time for yours truly we were there in the dark, and a group of us saddled up for a little bit of pre riding during the night. It was the first time I've ever ridden during the night, so let's just say on unfamiliar trails I was often off the trail more than I was on it. By the time we got back it was time to get some shut eye for we had to race the next day!
Race Day! Um was I ready for it? Debatable...Was I going to give it all I had? Of course! It starts off with a neutral roll out of town and then becomes fierce once we hit the gravel road as it's no longer neutral. If there's one thing I noticed it was mountain bikers could use some lessons in pack riding from road racers...It was a bit sketchy...With all the slowing down, and speeding up...But everyone was able to survive the NEUTRAL roll out for the most part. Then it was on to the said gravel road where the pace ramped up to mach 10. Fortunately I was able to use my road racing experience to get myself in position in the lead group, but that didn't last long as soon as we hit some singletrack the field pretty much got obliterated. I was still feeling good, and made quite a few passes to move up in the field. I knew I was doing pretty good in my category because I was up there with some uber fast guys for the first 1/2 of the race. There was one variable at this race though...The wind! It was insane if you didn't pedal on a downhill you would slow down. That's how strong it was out there.
So yeah about that first half of the race...It was fantastic! Then I decided it would be a fun time to bonk right about now. I mean who wants to end up on the podium anyways? So the last half of the race I just tried to survive with my energy supplies depleted. I didn't survive very well apparently as I slid from a definite podium to a mid pack result. Something I'm not to proud of since it was my fault for bonking. (Note to self, start eating more during races) When ya bonk super bad ya get the weirdest out of body feeling ever. You lose all motivation to pedal, and even on the downhill leading into the finish I had absolutely ntohing left to pedal. Luckily the wind was a tail wind at that section and let me coast into the finish quite nicely. Not exactly the finish I was looking for, but it's a start, and another learning experience...Something I always usually get a healthy doses of during the racing season.
So that was Echo....I promise I will do better there next season!
Next up: Mudslinger.....
After some long hours in the car, and some nap time for yours truly we were there in the dark, and a group of us saddled up for a little bit of pre riding during the night. It was the first time I've ever ridden during the night, so let's just say on unfamiliar trails I was often off the trail more than I was on it. By the time we got back it was time to get some shut eye for we had to race the next day!
Race Day! Um was I ready for it? Debatable...Was I going to give it all I had? Of course! It starts off with a neutral roll out of town and then becomes fierce once we hit the gravel road as it's no longer neutral. If there's one thing I noticed it was mountain bikers could use some lessons in pack riding from road racers...It was a bit sketchy...With all the slowing down, and speeding up...But everyone was able to survive the NEUTRAL roll out for the most part. Then it was on to the said gravel road where the pace ramped up to mach 10. Fortunately I was able to use my road racing experience to get myself in position in the lead group, but that didn't last long as soon as we hit some singletrack the field pretty much got obliterated. I was still feeling good, and made quite a few passes to move up in the field. I knew I was doing pretty good in my category because I was up there with some uber fast guys for the first 1/2 of the race. There was one variable at this race though...The wind! It was insane if you didn't pedal on a downhill you would slow down. That's how strong it was out there.
So yeah about that first half of the race...It was fantastic! Then I decided it would be a fun time to bonk right about now. I mean who wants to end up on the podium anyways? So the last half of the race I just tried to survive with my energy supplies depleted. I didn't survive very well apparently as I slid from a definite podium to a mid pack result. Something I'm not to proud of since it was my fault for bonking. (Note to self, start eating more during races) When ya bonk super bad ya get the weirdest out of body feeling ever. You lose all motivation to pedal, and even on the downhill leading into the finish I had absolutely ntohing left to pedal. Luckily the wind was a tail wind at that section and let me coast into the finish quite nicely. Not exactly the finish I was looking for, but it's a start, and another learning experience...Something I always usually get a healthy doses of during the racing season.
So that was Echo....I promise I will do better there next season!
Next up: Mudslinger.....
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