Methow Cycle & Sport Mountain Challenge

A few pics from today, recap to follow, Great job guys...

Vince showing what everyone saw today, his back...
Virginia on her way to a 1st place finish.
Russ hammering home a 3rd place finish.
Ron finishing very strong with a 2nd place finish.
Alan bringing sexy back. :)
Matt with an incredibly strong 1st...

Bavarian Bike and Brew - Recap by Henry

Greetings Supporters of Team Sega and many thanks to SEGA\Gameworks, Therapeutic Associates, Black Diamond Bike and Backcountry, FSA, Rudy Project, Schwable, Nuun, Marzocchi and Ritchey for keeping us rolling.

Saturday June 7th drew many of our team's best riders (and me too) to the annual Leavenworth race. Ron, Larry, Matt, Ann, Jarred (honory mention only), Vincent, Russ, Aaron, Erik, Francisco and Joel (not racing yet) were present. Please forgive me if I left your name off.

The weather was mild with mostly sunny temps in the low 60's. Rain from earlier in the week kept the dust to a minimum, but provided plenty of water for the two stream crossings.

As many know, the race sold out. Obviously attendance was good. For example, 30 racers filled out the 35-45 Mens Sport group.

There were no changes in the course from previous years: 4 miles up and about 4 miles down. Beginners did one lap, Sport two, and Expert three laps. Although not a technical course, I find it to be among the more difficult in the series because the climb provides little opportunity for recovery. Indeed, the climb seems to get more difficult as you progress from fire road (the first 1.5 miles) to the single track. The promoters are great about asking riders to yield to passers where possible. Consequently, racers at Leavenworth seem to be very considerate about letting people pass from behind. That may be less true in the expert class? I found this cooperation on the passing issue particularly helpful. My pitiful race began with me positioned right at the front of the start line. "Go!" Within 30 seconds I had been passed by half of my class. Some lady in a wheel chair began to pass me. I was wondering "do these animals know this is a 16 mile race!?" I spent the next 90 minutes passing and passing (later, simply passing out). Strong riders sprint up the 1.5 mile fire road to lock in a good position on the single track. The problem for riders like me is that if you sprint up the fire road, there is nothing left for the most difficult climbing, which is on the single track towards the top. My strategy was to apply hard and steady spinning- no attacking or aggressive assaults on leaders. Go right to the physical limit and hold it for the approximately 40 minute climb. No problem, right?

For me, the descent is quite terrifying. Like many XC riders (Joel and Patrick for sure), I am happiest when my bike s on the ground. The infamous water bars (aka launch pads for bikes) were unchanged- some small, some 3+ feet tall, some placed around corners, some with a landing strip designed for my mom to land a 747 on. All of us take those differently according to our skills and courage. I "jumped" most, but certainly not all of the water bars. I use the word jump in quotes because I jumped them in that incredibly dorky way that we XC riders take jumps. We aren't nearly as cool as downhillers who really launch with grace and authority across water bars, ramps, or drops. Can I get an Amen, Chris? We look like sissies who are too scared to really enjoy what the course has to offer. XC country riders try to absorb the vertical momentum from the jumps. Bikes move faster when they're on the ground too. For me, one byproduct of flying off the jump at 20ish mph with a bike seat in my lower abdomen is the bike usually lands on the front tire first. I hate that. On the Leavenworth descent, I (mostly) stayed out of the endo-danger zone, but I am wondering if my descent (speed and control) would improve by giving a gentle tug on the handle bars as I move my tush back?

It isn't all about the water bars. The descent offers several smooth and fast banking corners that are fun on a level that only a mt. biker can understand. Wow!

I should mention that there was an injury this year. I only have second hand information, but I heard the racer (Sport) broke his nose. I think he was badly hurt. They carried him out- 2ish miles- on a stretcher to the hospital. Poor guy.

The race went well for Team Sega.
Beginners:
Aaron Agudo - 15th place Mens 11 - 14 - cut 10 minutes off of last years time
Erik Beattie - 3rd place Mens 15 - 18
Ann Davis - 12th place Womens all - cut 10 minutes off of last years time

Sports:
Vince Haag - 2nd place Mens 35 - 44
Henry Shaw - 8th place Mens 35 - 44 - cut 9 minutes off of last years time
Russ Moul - 4th place Mens 45+ - cut 10 minutes off of last years time
Francisco Pons - 10th place Mens 45+

Experts:
Matt Lynch - 1st place Mens 45+ - crushed the 3 laps in 2 hours flat
Larry Parfitt - 3rd place Mens 45+ - improved last years time by over a minute a lap
Ron Collins - 21st place Mens 35 - 44

Keep the rubber side down...Henry

24 hours of Round the Clock in Spokane

I worked on writing a race report and it kept on getting longer and longer…9 pages in all. Yikes! A 24 hour race has WAY more opportunities for stories to develop than an Indie Series race but jeez, I realize the reading audience limits. So, I have decided instead to send a slightly condensed version including a brief overview of the course and give out “awards” to each of my teammates. With this race it is the synergy of the team that is way more paramount than the course!

Competing in the 24 hours of Round the Clock in Spokane this weekend were the Dirtastic Divas, a team comprised of:

Jenn Sinclair –Team Sega - Gung-Ho Marathon Legs Award
Virginia Matthys – Team Sega - Pinch Rider Award
Ann Davis - Team Sega – Team Leader\Manager -
Deb Romaine - Phil’s South Side Cyclery - Queen of Logistics and Master Packer Award
Lori Williams - Group Health - “I Can Do That” aka Work Horse Award
Gavin Spomer –Team Sega (non-riding volunteer) - “No, Gavin, no. Don’t look at the light!”…“I can’t help myself, it’s so beautiful.” Award

During our adventure we collectively rode just shy of 250 miles, a distance comparable to the driving miles from North Bend to the venue location at Riverside State Park. That is a whole lot of mountain biking miles! I am really proud of our team. We worked together and were able to overcome the many unexpected obstacles we faced, such as having to find a replacement rider just 3 days before the race, collapsing team tents, significant lighting issues, a missing bike, yet we still managed to meet our team’s objective of “having fun foremost and each member riding the best of her abilities.”

Link to pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/thisguyiknow/200824hr

Course Description
The course was reportedly 14.65 miles in length and had approximately 820 feet of elevation gain per lap. The course is a fast, flowy route with several moderately-technical rock-gardens thrown in at various locations for true fun. There were a whopping total of 2 logs, more the size of thick branches that you had to ride over. There were also and six noteworthy hills, the first of which is a half-mile of loose, sandy double-track. As long as you were able to stay on the beaten path you were okay, but if you tried to pass someone you had to make sure you had the strength to endure the loose sand before hopping back onto the beaten path.

The second hill, Devil's Up", wasn't nearly as long but at the top became much steeper and much rockier. Once you reached the top of “Devils Up” you got to experience “Devils Down.” As far as I know this was the location of our team’s only wipe-out and it occurred during the pre-ride. It is definite get your weight behind the saddle, control your speed and be wary of your usage of brakes or you will either launch yourself or end up endo-ing or cartwheeling down, type of a hill. It was the very stuff that got my heart rate racing during the descent but then elicited a “Whoo Hoo” when I successfully rode it. It is exactly the type of hill that I am hoping Chris Bentley will help me learn how to ride safely at a quicker pace.

There was a new section of trail this year. Not too long, but quite bumpy and with short mounds of dirt that you had to time your pedal stroke to maintain traction. The river was quite high and covered a section of trail in the area that is known as Little Vietnam so at this point we were rerouted onto the asphalt road. Each lap I reached the road, I was always amazed how much effort it took to gain speed on the descent on a paved road. I guess that is part of the race trying to keep the pace up even during times whereas if it was just a leisurely ride I would just coast.

Thanks and Next Year?
I owe Black Diamond Bike and Backcountry a huge thank-you for taking care of my bike on such short notice. I discovered the seal on my rear shock was leaking on Sunday at the Whidbey Mudder. Not only did they replace the seal but they also fine tuned the derailleur so it would shift smoother. Peter assured me when I picked up the bike that Logan test rode it around the parking lot quite a bit because the last thing they wanted was for me to have a mechanical in the middle of the night at the race. When I HAD my bike it rode splendidly.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Allan and Eric Beattie at the race. Allan and I chatted for a few minutes after one of his laps. He was riding very fast laps. I did not see him again to hear how they fared during the night laps. He did mention that he would really like to ride on an all Sega team next year. Anyone up for it?

-Ann

P.S. Sorry everyone about the team tents. Gavin and I each have our differing theory on how they failed…something that a box of coffee swizzle sticks and a bunch of Elmer’s glue can help prove as to whose theory is more sound….but we both agree the wind that was the catalyst so are we off the hook?

Whidbey Island Mudder - Recap

A perfect day for racing. The course was very dry and fast and the first time this year, no rain and it was actually warm. The mudder became a dry dusty grind as the day progressed. Thanks to everyone that was able to make it over the venue and support our team.

Thanks again to our sponsors for all the great things they do for us: Black Diamond Bike and Backcountry, SEGA\Gameworks, TIA, Schwalbe Tires, FSA, Rudy Project, Nuun and Ritchey. You guys keep this team racing....

In the beginner races, Team SEGA had some great results and hit the podium three times:
Jackson Burklund - 1st place - Men's 10 and under
Aaron Agudo - 9th place - Men's 11-14 (pictured)
Erik Beattie - 5th place - Men's 15-18
Virginia Matthys - 3rd place - Women's all ages (pictured)
Misha Lee - 8th place - Women's all ages (pictured)
Ann Davis - 10th place - Women's all ages

In the Sport races, more great racing and more podium results:
Vince Haag - 1st place - Men's 35-44 (pictured)
Henry Shaw - 5th place - Men's 35-44
Russ Moule - 3rd place - Men's 45+ (pictured)
Francisco Pons - 11th place - Men's 45+ (pictured)


And in the Expert races, more of the same:
Mike Gile - 3rd place - Men's 35-44 (pictured)
Ron Collins - 4th place - Men's 35-44
Matt Lynch - 2nd place - Men's 45+ (pictured)
Larry Parfit - 5th place - Men's 45+ (pictured)
Allan Beattie Jr - 10th place - Men's 45+

See you all at Leavenworth...Joel

FluidRide Cup #2 Recap

First off - I specifically want to thank our Sponsors FSA and Marzocchi for their support and for the Black Diamond Bike & Backcountry Shop for their assistance and hard work in keeping Team Sega running strong in 2008. Also Michelin as well as the onsite mechanics. Lastly our anchor sponsors Sega\Gameworks and Therapeutic Accociates.

Downhill Race event in Port Angeles 05-11-2008. I'm going to be a bit long on this since it's one of the first local DH races covered by a TEAM SEGA member and I want others to appreciate just how much fun and exciting it can be.

Having a dry week prior to the event prepped the DH trails perfectly. The forecast for the weekend of round two of the Fluidride Cup Downhill race event was supposed to be 'showers'. As it turned out, only showers in the evenings fell and each morning we woke up to sunshine and perfect dirt.




Saturdays are dedicated downhill practice days. Some show up to just take the shuttle Van up -and the trails down while knowing that racing on Sunday is not required. Others - like me - show up to get to know the course to prep for your Sunday race run, have some fun with the flowing sections, and pick up some tips from faster riders. Having a certain amount of memorization of the trails is also critical in shaving off a few seconds of your "top to bottom" run/race time.

Darrell Jamieson showed up with a Suburban full of bikes - Some his, some his friends, and some for his son Chase and Christian. My son Colby, like Christian, were content with operating things like the video camera or just hanging out and watching all the action. By the end of the practice day I had
not had the pleasure of practicing with Darrell since he was helping Chase to prepare for a rip down the sport / beginner downhill course. Chase is 9 years old.

The new Expert / Pro line for this weekends event (a promise from the Fluidride promoters - "always something different") was called "Justice". It was steep and loose and the approach was off camber. It sort of begged you to ride it fast, as gravity helped you stick your tires where you wouldn't expect traction to happen if you went slow and straight.


After Saturday practice - I left with Colby around 2pm to go see IronMan - A nice treat for my son and I. Once Sunday came around, I was very happy to see my friend Todd Earnshaw from Canada show up to race. Darrell remembered Todd from the 2006 Worlds Masters Championships. Todd practiced later in the Day Saturday and said he felt ready for the Sunday race. I introduced him to other Expert racers and many of us decided to take a warm up run down the course together and talk about sections of the course.

Many women downhill racers showed up for this event as well. It seems that the beginner / sport course is so much fun for all levels of riders that the word spread quickly across the local internet blog sites, even pulling some great riders down from Canada. To quote Andy Voit (2nd place - Sport 40+ racer) :

"Yeah, Justice is a sicky-gnar little section of trail if I do say so myself. I didn't even ride it that weekend, but saw quickly how techy it was. Mad props to all that rode it. Lost in the awe that is 'Justice line' is the new section that the Beg/Sport class rode - Double Bypass. That was an amazing section of trail - even the flat section before the bottom demanded you come into it with as much speed as possible and bust out a sprint into the next section. You really had to know your lines and memorize which sections led to the next to keep up with the faster times. HEALING VIBES TO ALL THAT NEED THEM AFTER THIS WEEKEND!!! "

9 year old Chase reported no issues with the Double Bypass section and came across the finish line at 6:04 and all smiles. All in all, there were over 240 racers this weekend - most going home with big smiles and seriously low testosterone levels.

Darrell and I were able to turn out some good times - Good enough for podium spots. Kudo's to Darrell for getting on the podium at his first West Coast Washington Downhill event - and for sacrificing practice time to make sure Chase rode safely and had fun. Oh - lots of prized were given away afterwards too like wheels and helmets and clothing.

Seeing the times that the Beginner / Sport / Expert and Pro riders post is testimony to the great competition that is on the increase in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to Fluidride.com and all the race promoters for their volunteering efforts.

http://fluidride.com/wp-content/2008/05/fluidride-cup-2-dh-start-sheets.xls

Video Helmet Cams of the DH Courses 1 week prior. (Note: the Sport / Beginner course takes a turn about 1/2 way down the hill).

http://virtualdescent.com/view_video.php?video_id=183

http://virtualdescent.com/view_video.php?video_id=196

Darrell's Sea Otter Recap *** Twice on the podium

The DS course was the best yet and the weather couldn’t of been better, off camber tight turns needed to be executed perfect in order to keep your speed to rail the 4' high banks, as a last minute decision I brought my Demo 8 for the DH which I figured the only time I would ride it was from my SUV to the room. As it turned out the course was to rough for my 4" Kona Howler due to all the rains at all the past events. I lucked out and was able to snag my first podium in the Expert DH at the Otter. There is nothing that compares to the slalom course at Sea Otter.

Beezley Burn Recap - Matt Lynch

I did not attend the short track race on Saturday, but I hear that Gavin talked Henry into doing it, and he won! Not bad for a guy who showed up to camp, not race, on Saturday.

I made the trip over the mountains to Ephrata early Sunday morning, too early for a weekend, and arrived to cool, clear weather and about fifty minutes to spare before the start. Lion Park was buzzing with activity as racers gathered equipment and warmed up for the start. I registered in the open category, throwing it in with the big guns, after learning that Perry Roper was racing open. I seem to keep chasing that guy, so why stop now?
For those that have not attended the Beezley Burn, the race starts on a canal bank on a level access road of thin gravel on dirt. After about a mile or so the course takes a hard left hand drop onto single track, descending twenty or thirty feet very fast and into a powdery right turn, and off it goes. Four laps of 7.75 miles that run up and down along the Beezley hillside through always challenging climbs and rapid descents, winding, hand built trails, rocks and sagebrush.

The start was very fast, so fast that I rapidly realized I had to grab a wheel and hang on, or risk being popped off the lead group right from the start. Apparently, there were no weenies allowed in this group. The generous $2000 cash payout had gotten the attention of everyone present, and there'd be no screwing around before setting a hard pace designed to cause plenty of pain. Needless to say, the race sorted itself out fairly quickly, with riders getting strung out along the course, and Perry settling in on my rear wheel for the first lap. We passed two very strong riders with flats on lap one, and back on the canal bank for the start of lap two I let Perry come through while I took his wheel. Funny, but I couldn't quite keep hold of that wheel for too long. He's making his move too early, I told myself. I'll reel him in on the climbs... I'm sure I was gaining on him on the climbs, he must be about to crack, or so I thought.
That was my mantra for the all of laps three and four, but the gap continued to grow while I paced my effort to make sure I had the gas to complete four hard laps. I was passed once more by one of the super boys who had flated early, truly an amazing comeback, and I settled into seventh place with the goal of not ceding anymore ground while remaining upright to the finish. Not an easy task on this course at race pace.
In the end my finish of 2:32 was five minutes off Perry's pace, and fourteen minutes off the winning time. I finished seven out of twelve and I'm perfectly satisfied with that, being old and all. To wrap up a very nice day the race organizers saw fit to call my name last in the raffle so that I walked away with a new wheelset. Nice schwag! I'm not sure how Henry and Gavin did in the cross country races, although I know they came through intact and feeling good enough to drink a few beers under the trees in Lion Park while the festivities ensued. Thanks again for the Heineken Henry! Lots of fun for everyone, so I recommend putting this race on your calendar for next year!

Cheers. Matt