http://mtbmind.com/forums/ MTBMind.com » Recent Posts en-US Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:31:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://mtbmind.com/forums/search.php http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=172#post-543 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:03:49 +0000 hoodracing 543@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Change of plans, the chainbuster series and santos race are on the same day now. So&nbsp;looks like we might ( still trying to convince jen) stop off in warda TX on our way to FL, its on the way wright? Iwant to do the Texas race on the 12th, Chainbusters in Georgia on the 18th then Virgina on the 26th. We would love to do the 12 hours of Santos but we had some much fun last year at chainbusters race and meet so many great poeple there we want to do it again. This year we are going to do compete in the 9hour 2 person coed team, last year we did the 6 hour 2 person coed. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=173#post-542 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:21:02 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 542@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p><span>This March 16-20th I’m doing the <a href="http://rideonwashington.org/">Tim Johnson Ride on Washington</a> </span><span>to raise money and awareness for <a href="http://www.bikesbelong.org/">Bikes Belong</a> </span><span>. If you’re not familiar with <a href="http://www.bikesbelong.org/">Bikes Belong</a> you should really check out their website. They do a whole lot more than I could summarize in a couple sentences. I can tell you, though, that they are about more than just bike paths and bike lanes. Bikes Belong works to maintain federal funding for programs like the Recreational Trails Program and is a major funder of IMBA. They have also provided grants to individual projects like NEMBAs purchase of Vietnam.&nbsp;</span><div><br /></div><div>My pledge page is at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pledgereg.com/27244">https://www.pledgereg.com/27244</a>&nbsp;. I actually spent a little time with my write up so I hope you’ll take the time to click on through and read it and maybe make a donation. I’ve got this crazy idea that I can get 500 people to donate just $5 so I can hit my goal. Of course, since I don’t know 500 people, if any of you were so inclined to pass this along to other like minded individuals, I’d greatly appreciate it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks,</div><div><br /></div><div>Steve S.&nbsp;</div> </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=172#post-541 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:09:03 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 541@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>The 12Hrs of Santos has been on my radar for a few years. Mainly because we head down to the in-laws in Zephryhills (about 90 min south of Ocala) for school vacation and this race is usually one of those weekends. I just haven't figured out how to fit it in and still get home (we drive) on Sunday.<div><br /></div><div>Good luck. I'm interested to hear how the course is.&nbsp;</div> </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=172#post-540 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:04:16 +0000 hoodracing 540@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Jennifer and myself are doing a road trip to florida in febuary 11&nbsp;stopping off in Lawrenceville georgia to do a 6 hour race,( two person coed) took second place last year, fisrt place is ours this year. Then we are off to Ocala FL to do 12 hours of santos febuary 18, not sure if we are going to do 12 solo,twoo person team or 6 hour solo, no matter what&nbsp;its&nbsp;going to be fun. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=169#post-539 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:45:40 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 539@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Looks like there will be a 100 mile option as this will be part of the NUE series next year. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=169#post-538 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:29:18 +0000 mtbmind 538@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Okay it's time for my VERY late race report - sorry for the delay.&nbsp; So I committed to this race mentally after taking a 2 or 3 year hiatus where I came in 2nd.&nbsp; After my first stab at this race I vowed never to come back because these really weren't my type of trails since they were mainly fireroad, road, dirt road, sand, and freshly cut soft trail covered in leaves.&nbsp; After looking at the field going into this year I decided to give it a go again, however I was doing the Pittsfield 6 hour race the day before because it's locally promoted, super fun, and loaded with singletrack.&nbsp; </p> <p>Since I was racing 6 hours the day before I had no idea how my legs would be going into Sunday, especially with a stacked field and furiously fast start.&nbsp; I didn't even sign up for Hampshire until I arrived on Saturday night after finishing the 6 hour.&nbsp; What was I thinking? What was I thinking paying $125 for the race entry PLUS another $150 for the UCI pro license?&nbsp; Remind me why I never renew my UCI license...&nbsp; oh yeah because it costs $150 dollars which is TOTALLY worth it if you are going to race 2 USA Cycling sanctioned races per year.&nbsp; Totally.&nbsp; </p> <p>So yeah I dropped down $275 to race a course I know totally is against my strengths but what the hell.&nbsp; It's not every day you get to play with 30 other pro guys.&nbsp;&nbsp; The race starts and I'm lined up with the usual boys and girls of the New England scene with the exception of Tinker Juarez and Manuel Prado sitting next to me.&nbsp; Sure Tinker I have raced with Tinker many times at 24 hour worlds and know he is freakin fast but how much of that speed can he really have left?&nbsp; The start of the race explodes like I expected and we're cruising down the dirt road for quite some time Foley lets out his usual race start belch and the pace started to pick up... a bunch of us trading off spots but being led by Andrew Frye for at least 15 minutes.&nbsp; I was feeling really good at this point and easily cruised up alongside Frye and took the lead for a few minutes until I let a few others take the honor.&nbsp; The main lead group was a good 15 strong for a while going into some loose mulchy sections of trail.&nbsp; I shit you not we were going so fast through there that we must have been averaging 25+mph.... mulch and bark spitting up everywhere into our face as we blew on through.</p> <p>We suddenly hit the dreaded rail road bed which I screwed up going into the approach and let the top 5 guys form a minor gap.&nbsp; The other guys are right on my wheel but I couldn't really go any faster, especially with my slightly tired legs.&nbsp; I managed to close the gap going out of the track and literally had no juice left to chase any more.&nbsp; Foley blows by me giving me the shake of the head and I was then left trying to chase down the top 10 guys going into the first nasty loose doubletrack climb.&nbsp; Did well for a moment until I knew it wasn't going to happen today.&nbsp; </p> <p>We hit the ski area and that's where I passed by Roger who was bloody on the trail with Gregory helping him out.&nbsp; I stopped for a few minute to ask if he needed anything and then carried on.&nbsp; The race from that point on was a struggle to maintain a constant pace which eventually led to me getting passed by some expert riders and single speed phenom Paul Simoes.&nbsp;&nbsp; As he passed all I could think of was how slow he was going, but it obviously wasn't as slow as me!&nbsp; By this point I felt like a turtle and had no energy... the trails were sucking me down and slowing me down.&nbsp; The field we passed through near the end that literally felt like I came to a stop was AWESOME.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>Great race organization with the feed stations and self-serve water stops however the steep entry fee is ridiculous for a nasty course that best suits a dirt bike.&nbsp; You won't see me there again. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=171#post-537 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:05:11 +0000 mtbmind 537@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Hey Steve,&nbsp; nice work on the vid. Wish I made it out for this. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=171#post-536 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:01:06 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 536@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>I didn't race this weekend but I took some video of those who did. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zm_g4uMAQc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zm_g4uMAQc</a></p> <p>Thanks everyone for coming down and supporting the race. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=170#post-535 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:41:28 +0000 mtbmind 535@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Hey Steve you are getting stronger and faster with each race.&nbsp; I am bummed to have missed this race.&nbsp; I wasn't really into the whole racing mood at the end of this year but hope to be back at it next year. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=170#post-534 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:41:26 +0000 mtbmind 534@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Hey Steve you are getting stronger and faster with each race.&nbsp; I am bummed to have missed this race.&nbsp; I wasn't really into the whole racing mood at the end of this year but hope to be back at it next year. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=170#post-533 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:51:50 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 533@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p><div>So… Landmine.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the 2nd year in a row I did the Landmine marathon on a rigid bike. Last year was on my steel single speed commuter because my frame was broken. This year I was back on my geared bike but with a new DT Swiss rigid carbon fork. Why a rigid fork? I bought the carbon fork to use on the mtb for some cross races and my suspension fork has become somewhat unreliable mainly due to the extremely worn stanchions. I had put the rigid fork on after the Hampshire 100K to try it out on some trails and a couple TT’s to see how I liked it. The answer is, a lot. It’s not a smooth ride, but the bike is so much more responsive and snappy it just eats up certain trails. Truth be told, though, I had been leaning towards putting the squishy fork back on for Landmine but just didn’t get around to it.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a strong field with the likes of Bold, Burns, Jancaitis and a bunch of other guys faster than me toeing the line in the Marathon division. I keep telling myself one of these races I’ll try to hang onto the group as long as possible, but today was not going to be that day. The first mile of this race is flat and fast and those took off at an ungodly pace. By the time we hit the single track I’d found place in the upper mid-pack and settled into a nice rhythm.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Somewhere along the way Thom Parsons catches up to me. He must have started after us in the SS group. Otherwise, I can’t explain why he wasn’t already ahead of me. At this point the legs feel pretty good so I decided to tag along for a while. We yo-yoed back and forth with a couple other guys joining or leaving the group for maybe 10 miles or so. Then we hit some of the bonier sections on the back half and the full rigid experiment was hampering my ability to keep up. I got gapped through a couple rock gardens and Thom proceeded to drift away. I’d see him again near the end of lap one as the cold he was fighting was starting to get the better of him. He didn’t look so good. I came through the last aid station, did that short bit of single track and came out on the little uphill road section. Near the top I see the arrows pointing right into the last stretch of single track. Really? Is this right? Don’t we go left and do the lollipop before hitting this? Well, I guess not this year. I felt like I was cutting the course for the next minute or two, but I got over it. I never did get around to asking someone why they pulled that out.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I made a quick stop through the start/finish to swap water bottles. My split was 2:06 which is about 16 min faster than last year. The course was definitely shorter but not that much. I’ll take it.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>The first half of lap 2 was a struggle. I was pretty much alone which hasn’t been a great place for me. I could feel my pace slowing but just couldn’t seem to be able to do anything about it. Then, with about 10 to go, Karen Potter caught up. At about the same time I started catching some guys from my group. With someone to push me and a few targets to go after, the legs and mind suddenly got some new life. In the next 5 miles or so I managed to pass 4 guys and had even put a little gap into Karen going into the last single track. The gap didn’t last long, however, and I soon heard her heckling me from 5 yds. back. By this time we were also catching quite a few stragglers from the 25 miler. We passed a couple riders on the last little techy uphill only to have one of them take off on the subsequent rock garden downhill. I was going full gas but couldn’t close the 5 yd gap. Finally Potter catches back up and is like “Are you going to pass that guy or what?” Fine, at the rate he’s going maybe he is in my group after all. I tell myself I just have to beat him to the bridge. There’s really nowhere to pass unless you make a mistake after that. I got the inside on the hard left hander leading to the single track before the bridge and gassed it. I didn’t look back but I could feel a small gap forming. I hit the bridge, navigated the last bit of twisty, rooty section without incident and got to the line with a sizable (6 sec) gap. My time was 4:22:35, good enough for 12th place overall. &nbsp;John Burns came in 1st in 3:51:14. &nbsp;Jancaitis, Bold and Petro came in 5 minutes later with only 22 seconds separating them. Will Crissman rounded out the top 5 in 4:03. Karen won the woman’s race in 4:22:47.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>As for the rigid fork, it didn’t suck as much as you might think. That said, if you ever hear me saying full rigid at Landmine is a good idea, feel free to slap me. The stretch between the double aid station took its toll.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I’m taking a break from the woods to try to let the pinky I hurt before the Pittsfield race heal. I could barely get my glove off after Landmine it’d swollen up so bad. Next up is a little CX. I did the masters, cat 4 last Sun at g-ster (came in 3rd). I’m also doing the Night Weasels tomorrow night and Providence on Sun. I have a feeling that will be my last CX race as a cat 4. I’ll probably do one report for all 3 since cumulatively it’ll be less time on the bike than one mtb race.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don’t forget the following weekend (10/16) is TVR. I hope to see a bunch of you there.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=168#post-532 Sat, 17 Sep 2011 22:15:23 +0000 hoodracing 532@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Thanks Steve they do have me in the wrong category, i never looked i was so bumbed with my&nbsp;finish! I just ran out of fuel&nbsp;and hit a wall, draged myself across the finish. Congrats to you on a great finish!! </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=169#post-531 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:11:29 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 531@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>When I went by Roger I didn't really get a good look. There were quite a few people waving us around and the EMT vehicle was coming up the trail. I was just trying not to hit someone or get hit. It sounds like Michael Simonson had an equally scary crash at the Shenandoah 100. It reminds you just of&nbsp;vulnerable&nbsp;you are out there. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=169#post-530 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:19:47 +0000 Raineman 530@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>You are all in super endurance shape. I bonked at around 50 miles and never recovered. It was long ride to the end. When Emile came by me, I had the same impression- "Gosh he's strong."</p> <p>The whole race I was thinking of Roger Aspholm and how unimportant the race was/is. His motionless body and the look on Greg's and official's faces&nbsp;really put things in perspective. I hope he comes back OK. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=169#post-529 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:33:02 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 529@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>OK, so I’m a little behind on my race reports. When last we left our heroes (Brian Spring, Chris Gagnon, Karen Potter and I) they had just finished the Peak Races 666 in Pittsfield Vt.&nbsp; </p> <p>The drive down from VT was pretty uneventful. We had a quick stop at Panera to get some dinner and continued down I89.&nbsp; Karen and I were having a little trouble concentrating and we almost missed our exit while reading the flashing sign about not driving drugged. Then we missed a turn, but fortunately Chris knew where he was at this point and took the lead to get us to the venue.</p> <p>It was still light when we pulled in so setting up the tents was a bit easier than the previous night. We got registered, bummed a work stand off the Maz (thanks again) and Brian and I went at the task of fixing our bikes. My task was relatively easy compared to Brian who had to take his rear hub apart to free it from the Vermont mud. Just the kind of thing you want to be doing the night before a race. I filled up on some pasta and hit the hay expecting to sleep like a rock. I didn’t. I had never done this race before and Brian informed us that there were a few walls that we got to go up and I fell asleep to visions of impossible climbs that went on forever. </p> <p>I was up a few times in the night and 5:30 seemed to take a long time to roll around. I got up, got some breakfast and coffee and got ready to race. My warm-up consisted of riding the 50 yds from my tent to the start line. Rumor was the fist 20 miles was pretty flat. I figured that would be ample time to loosen up the legs. After yesterday’s effort I had no intentions of trying to go out with the leaders. My strategy was to stay comfortable to the top of the power line climb then see if the legs had anything in them. </p> <p>6:45 rolled around and we’re all lined up ready to go. Well, almost ready. The Pro/Open field had to wait a minute or two for one of the racers to finish up with their morning business. Nobody seemed to mind though. It’s actually nice that they do a headcount check to make sure all the registered racers are accounted for before they start the stage. The experts went off maybe 5 minutes later. I was mid pack as we went around the track and into a short section of single track. There was a good sized log maybe 30 yds in that someone must have bobbled on as we stacked up pretty good. By the time I got out to the dirt road the lead pack was 50 yds up the road. We were strung out a bit as some gave chase, but within a mile or so I was in a group of 3 that was working pretty well together. I had no trouble hanging on, but my couple turns at the front were really labored and a sure sign I was going faster than I should be. Even so, I wanted to take advantage of the fast group as long as I could. Then somewhere around the 10 mile mark probably the best thing happened as far as my race was concerned. I over shifted and broke one in the process. When I stopped to wrap it around another spoke I lost contact with the group and had to ride my own pace for awhile. I settled in and cruised along solo to aid station 2. Ernie caught up to me and we road the long snowmobile trail together. Somewhere in here Paul Simoes came buy and was giving us a hard time for letting him catch us on the flats. Then we turned right. </p> <p>I’d been warned about this turn and what I’d be facing. To call it a wall is no understatement. It wasn’t as bad as my dreams the night before, but it was steep. I think Hill Junky’s GPS registered some grades greater than 30%. That said, it is ridable. But with 6000+ ft of climbing the other day and 40+ miles still to go, I wasn’t even going to try. Besides, at those grades riding really isn’t that much faster than walking and so the hiking began. I remounted where the pitch started to ease off and rode out the rest. There was some downhill for a bit and then we came to the power line climb. I rode the powerline all the way to the last steep hike a bike that rumor has it nobody rode.</p> <p>I rolled into the drop station, refilled the water bottles with carbo rocket, had some banana and some chips and head out. Somewhere on the subsequent climb the legs started to come around. Earlier in the race they had made a deal with me. I don’t try to go too fast and they’ll let me keep a good pace the whole race. Now they were tugging on my jersey saying lets go. I left the aid station with single speeder Emile Smith. We rode the next 7-8 miles at a pretty good clip picking of any riders that we got in sight of. That lasted until after passing a small group in some single track he was like “lets put a gap on these guys” and took off like he meant it. I was feeling good, but not that good and he quickly drifted away, not to be seen again.&nbsp; Fortunately, not too long after that I caught a glimpse of a green jersey (Al?) on a trail not too far into the woods. I took a look at my watch and started measuring the gap. It was 3 minutes give or take. I got this. I was now in full on hunter mode. One thing I’ve been struggling with is staying motivated to push when I’m all alone in the woods. Give me a target, even if I can’t always see it and it’s a whole different ballgame. At this point, in this race, Al was the perfect target. Mainly because I know Al’s a strong rider so it meant I was actually having a good day. </p> <p>It probably took me 10 miles or so to close down the gap, but I finally got him just outside the second drop station. Another quick refill of carbo rocket and I was out while Al had his chicken broth. I dumped a couple cups of water on my head at the last aid station and took off for the sweet single track that finishes the course. By this point the good feeling was gone, everything was a struggle and I just want to be done. That said, these trails were fun. I bet they’d be really fun with fresh legs. I pop out by the church. I think someone said there’s a mile to go. I bomb down the hill through the parking lot making a bee line for the marker in the field as the guy waves me across the street. All of a sudden I see an ‘X’ marking a hazard. What is it? Quick, scan, scan, ok, there’s a curb hiding in the grass, looks like a drop on the other side. How big is it? Oh crap, it’s a piece of granite with a 2 inch rise on this side. Quick, bunny ho…. thump, thump. Stans is flying everywhere as I try to asses the damage. One wheel or two, one wheel or two? Crap, it’s both. I made it across the field before they were completely flat. I get off the bike and start running. Running quickly turns into jogging, which turns into trying to ride with two flats which turns back into jogging/walking. This sucks. The first guy came by while I was still in the single track. The next guy when I was half way down the rode leading out of the campground. He was kind enough to offer me some 26” tubes but I assured him I was not stopping to put them in. Then it happened. Al came by about 50 yds before we crossed the road. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. I rode out the double flats on the cinder track and finished with a time of 6:27:57. Good enough for 6th place in my group but almost an hour back of 1st place Alec Petro.&nbsp; Justin Spinelli won the pro class in 4:47, besting Many Prado and Tinker by almost 13 min. Karen won the women’s pro class in 6:06. Paul Simoes won the SS class in 5:22. </p> <p>I milled around a little bit, hosed off the bike and myself before heading back to the car. I ran into Karen who recommended we pack up the tents before eating as it felt like a storm was rolling in. Good thinking. By the time we were sitting down to eat it was raining pretty good. We hung out for some of the awards, finished up eating and started heading home. </p> <p>It was coming down in sheets as we pulled out. I felt kind of sorry for the people that were still out there, but they were probably loving it. I’m sure Brian was on his way to finishing his 5th Hampshire 100. I for one was happy to be on a bike at that point. The drive home was hard. We were both pretty cooked and I was dying for a cup of coffee. We finally found a D&amp;D in Fitchburg. Luckily it had stopped raining by the time I dropped Karen off so we didn‘t get soaked unpacking her stuff. Now, up until this point I had pretty much decided I never needed to do that race again, but then the little thought popped into my head on the drive home from Karen‘s. You know, it would be nice to do it again with fresh legs. Oh, how quickly the mind forgets. Seriously though, this is a good course. There’s a decent mix fun single and double track without too many dirt road/pavement connectors. You really appreciate the effort that went into pulling that course together. </p> <p>Thanks to everyone involved especially all the volunteers out on course and at the aid stations. This was a great race and one definitely worth doing. Between the race, camping and post race meal (which was excellent) you more than get your money’s worth. </p> <p>As for the two day suffer fest. Yeah, I’d do it again. Although, I think they are going to try to move the 666 race to earlier in the year. That is, of course, if they can recover from Irene. Last I heard, Pittsfield was completely cut off. That bridge in my videos, gone, along with several other bridges and homes around town. Crazy stuff. Out thoughts are definitely with them as they try to recover.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=168#post-528 Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:22:01 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 528@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Results are here&nbsp;<a href="http://barttiming.com/summer/results11/land2011-1.htm">http://barttiming.com/summer/results11/land2011-1.htm</a><div><br /></div><div>I think they have Scott in the wrong category. I came in 12th overall in the marathon in 4:22. The course was in great shape and a little bit shorter than last year. There was some new single track in a couple places I think but the lollipop near the end was removed. Race report to follow sometime after I finish the Hampshire 100K report.&nbsp;</div> </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=168#post-527 Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:00:08 +0000 Raineman 527@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Good luck at Landmine guys!!! </p> <p>Scott, I hope you get the points you need. Your grouping is tough bunch. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=168#post-526 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:06:54 +0000 hoodracing 526@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>The weekend is looking good, going to be a nice cool weekend. I started the hodges Village Dam in a complete downpour, it poured the first two laps let up a little for the third then the sun came out for my last lap. It was like riding in a brook the first two laps third lap was good the last lap was crazy slippery, making memories! Thank you Chris, and&nbsp;good luck&nbsp;to you at Bradbury!! </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=168#post-525 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:41:10 +0000 mtbmind 525@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>I will be in Maine for the Lobsterman on Saturday and then riding Bradbury on Sunday to prepare for the race there the weekend after.&nbsp; Good luck Scott!&nbsp; It's a great course. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=167#post-524 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:39:24 +0000 mtbmind 524@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>It looks like I'm racing 2 person with Andrew Frye </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=168#post-523 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:50:45 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 523@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>I plan on doing the marathon unless it's raining. Then I might not. Like most people, I think I've had my share of trashing my bike in crappy conditions this year. Still, it's tough to pass on a good race.<div><br /></div><div>Good luck with your race. I probably won't see you at the start even if I am there.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=168#post-522 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:08:31 +0000 hoodracing 522@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Hope to see you all at the landmine this year. We are&nbsp;planing&nbsp;to&nbsp;camp&nbsp;at wompatuck state park on sat night. Want to have a good race&nbsp;i am 4th in cat 1 30-39, 27 points out of 3rd. Is it sunday yet! </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=167#post-521 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:59:50 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 521@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Sorry, Vlad, I'm skipping Bradbury this year. I added a few extra races earlier this year and somethings got to give.&nbsp; </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=167#post-520 Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:35:50 +0000 MTBVlad 520@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Does anyone want to race Bradbury 12hr as a pair, 3-, or 4-person team? For the 2-person men I race sport. Other categories are open. Registration closes Sept 11, 10pm. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=166#post-519 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:28:36 +0000 hoodracing 519@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>There were maybe 40 racers but the single track was great, nice flow,bridges. We picked up a flyer at websterville, we were planning for the treasure valley but over dinner on friday we decided to&nbsp;do the bump your rump because we didnt see much going on for sunday.&nbsp; </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=166#post-518 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:14:38 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 518@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>I hadn't heard of this race. Nice job </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=161#post-517 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:03:41 +0000 mtbmind 517@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Hey Dan,&nbsp; good to see you there!&nbsp; Too bad you didn't race but I am sure you had a great time in Millstone. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=166#post-516 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:02:30 +0000 mtbmind 516@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>I heard there was a 6 hour race in VT this weekend.&nbsp; How many people were there?</p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=165#post-515 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:20:11 +0000 Raineman 515@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>You guys(inc. gal - Potter and Brian Spring) have some serious endurance, power and will.<br />That weekend was a big chunk to bite off. Impressive. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=166#post-514 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 13:55:02 +0000 hoodracing 514@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Bus left the station 6:55am sat&nbsp;headed for grafton vt. Bump your rump is a 6hr endurance race so Jennifer and myself&nbsp;did a&nbsp;two person relay&nbsp;team. We completed 11 laps(4mile lap) in 5hr 35min, had a great day riding the bikes, awesome trails at the grafton ponds outdoor center. We will be back there&nbsp;to ride again, they had some really great trails and they are still building more. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=165#post-513 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 10:47:57 +0000 mtbmind 513@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Nice work Steve - You are killing the endurance races.&nbsp; </p> <p>And BTW that Artisan water from T Joes is the best water in&nbsp; the world!!&nbsp; So damn good.&nbsp; </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=165#post-512 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 02:28:10 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 512@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p><img alt="" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Bk1xKdWGEow/TlfXZTYBTnI/AAAAAAAAAdE/oVQFL5gxYg4/s640/IMG_2632.JPG" /></p> <p>At the beginning of the year when I was trying to figure out which races to do I noticed this weekend had 3 endurance races happening within a couple hours of each other. Sat was the Peak Races 666 6Hr. and Sunday had the Millstone Grind and Hampshire 100K. Originally I was thinking the VT double would be nice since Millstone is maybe an hour or so from Pittsfield. But then the 12Hrs of Millstone came along and it became more interesting to do the Hampshire 100K, a race I’d never done before. Now all I need is for some other people to join me in the stupidity. In the end 4 of us, Chris, Karen Potter , Brian Spring, and I decided 2 long days in the saddle were better than one. </p> <p>As usual with an entire day to get ready I still managed to be 5 minutes late out the door to go pick-up Karen on our way up to VT. I made a quick stop at a Stop &amp; Shop to pick up a couple gallons of water for Potter and some ice. Get back to the car, toss the milk, yogurt and Ice in the cooler and realize I forgot to get the friggin H2O. I’m a dunce. No worries, we’re hitting Trader Joe’s to pick up wraps since we won’t make it up to General Store in Pittsfield in time for one of their awesome sandwiches. Well, Trader Joe’s only had artesian water for like $3 a gallon (double fail) and then the gas station we stopped at on route 2 didn’t have any water (triple fail). Not that we can’t get water in Pittsfield, it’s just funny how we were being thwarted. Anyway, we hit a few showers going through MA and into VT but could see the skies clearing to the west. After the rain cleared up we started hitting some great views as all the valleys now had a nice layer of fog rolling through them. We took a bunch of pictures but they really don’t do it justice.<br /><img alt="" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gJJzQU5QyhE/TlfXZzQfu2I/AAAAAAAAAdI/7vTbkuR37aY/s640/IMG_2628.JPG" /></p> <p>We rolled into Pittsfield around 8:15 after making one last stop to finally get a couple gallons of water. We connected with Jason over at the farm and he led us up a dirt road to a place we could camp. It was a decent little spot not too far from the top of the course and way more accessible than last year’s locale in the national forest. There wasn’t a cloud in the ski and hardly any bugs flying around as we set up camp in the dark. It really is amazing how many stars you see once you get way out in the woods. I ate my 2nd dinner as we just chilled out waiting for Chris to come in. <br /><img alt="" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--CHGgPXYffE/TlfXgzytvFI/AAAAAAAAAdM/qFSy9m0e2do/s640/IMG_2631.JPG" /></p> <p>We got up around 6:30 the next morning. Packed up and rolled down to the General Store to meet up with Brian and get some breakfast. This will probably sound stupid but the little pre-race breakfast at the general store is one of the things I love about this race. There’s no rush. The food is great, the setting is great, and the race is a 1/4 mile up the road. It’s so… civilized. Jonny Bold was also getting breakfast. He had pre-rode the course the day before and had expressed some… reservations about actually racing it for 6hrs straight given that he doesn’t really train for that sort of thing. In the end he did just fine, although I’m not sure he’s in a rush to do it again.<br /><img alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7xuE2InyHWs/THGza-SaC1I/AAAAAAAAAY8/JSVlyPMU88M/s640/IMG_1731.JPG" /></p> <p>We finished up breakfast and headed over to the Amee Farm to get registered and start setting up. Karen and I picked the same spot we had last year at the corner of the garden. Then there’s the critical decision of bike placement for the lemans start. The trick is getting the bike to stand up with the pedal or wheel precariously leaning against a small rock while not having it fall over and knock down a bunch of other similarly placed bikes. Last year they made us start the run about halfway down the hill. This year we lined up by the road and would have a nice flat run to our bikes. </p> <p>The horn goes off and we run our lap around the garden before getting to the bikes. I was 5th into the downhill and Chris and Jonny almost immediately open up a 50yd gap. For the sake of good video, I quickly get by the two in front of me and bust it to close down the gap just as we cross the bridge and start climbing. The pace didn’t feel that crazy through the first few switchbacks, but then I think Jonny decided he wanted nothing to do with a group of 3 and put a gap between us. Chris easily gave chase and I turned the video off as I settled into what I hoped was a manageable pace. Kurt Schmid was the first to come by, then Gordon Davies and then Karen. I settled in behind Karen as we maintained pace with Gordon about 30 yds. back. Karen and I traded places on the last, steep cart road pitch and then we reeled in Gordon on the switchbacks leading up to the top. The 3 of us rode together for quite a bit until we hit the switchbacks on Warman and Gordon and I started to drift away. I stayed with Gordon until he momentarily held up at the crossing figuring out which way to go. From there on I had a clear path and just ripped the rest of the descent. I ditched the helmet cam and did a quick bottle change coming through the start finish and headed back out for lap 2. I didn’t look at my watch until the bridge but my first lap was in the 1:06 range.</p> <p>I was pretty much by myself all of lap 2. I was feeling pretty strong and turned in another fast lap in the 1:05 range. Somewhere in the first part of the climb on lap 3 I passed Chris as he was putting his bike back together from his chain suck issues. He made short work of catching back up and going by, but for a few minutes I was actually in 3rd pl. Half way through Zebadee I got the first hint that the happy times were about to end when my legs started getting those little pre-cramp twinges. I dialed the pace back a bit and tried to get some recovery on the downhill. I was actually still feeling good until about half way up the little dirt road climb to the farm when my right hamstring locked up cramping. Great, I’m about 3 1/2 hrs into a 6hr race and I can’t even walk. I manage to stretch it out, stop the cramping and started walking the rest of the way up the hill. About 30yds from the top I look back and see Gorden, Bob Carney and Karen cruising up and then cruising by effectively doubling the number of people in front of me. I passed Karen back as she filled another water bottle. I never saw Gordon again. Bob, also suffering from cramps, stopped after 4 laps. </p> <p>I was on the edge of cramping for most of the lap 4 climb. It didn’t help that my shifting had turned to complete crap. The only 2 cogs I could reliably ride in where the 2nd and 3rd largest in the back. Anything smaller and it was ghost shifting all over the place and I couldn’t get into the biggest cog. My mental capacities weren’t firing on all cylinders at this point and I attributed it to the mud. Oh yeah, although the course was 99% dry there were a handful of wet sections that were depositing mud everywhere (and I do mean everywhere). Between myself and the bike I was carrying at least an extra 5-10 pounds at this point. Surprisingly I made it to the top and back down again without anything locking up only to go into full on cramping on that stupid climb back up to the farm.&nbsp; Karen passed me (again) and asked if I was heading out for another lap. Hell yeah! OK, maybe I wasn’t that enthusiastic, but heading out for another lap was never in question. Not when I can hit that downhill one more time. In between laps I took advantage of the bike wash trying to extricate my derailleur from the mud and get some normal shifting back. I finally figured out after the race that the shifter housing had disintegrated and no amount of washing was going to fix it. <br /><img alt="" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-adL1wVJhdHE/TlfXQhm7PvI/AAAAAAAAAc4/Uo_ndDWdeBM/s640/IMG_2633.JPG" /></p> <p>If I had known that at the time… nah, I still would have gone out for another lap. The lap 5 climb wasn’t that bad and I actually managed to power through a few sections that gave me issues on lap 4. The downhill was a different story and I had to get off the bike 3 different times from cramping. I pushed my bike up the last hill one more time and it was over. I finished 5 laps in 6:20 good for 5 in my group and 7th overall. </p> <p>After the race we went down to the river and had a good soak and cleaned the mud off before grabbing some food (did I mention the post race pig roast) and cleaning up the bikes.&nbsp; We stood/sat around like zombies for a while wondering what we got ourselves into before we finally got our stuff together, packed up and hit the road for Greenfield, one race down, one race to go.</p> <p>This was my 2nd year doing this race and it’s arguably my favorite. The venue is perfect, the organization is great and the course is as good as any in New England. You happily oblige when it begs you to ride it fast only to be beaten into submission after just a few laps. Even then, when your legs are toast, your arms are aching and you have no real reason to keep going, you willing answer the siren’s call and go out for another lap and one more time down the mountain.&nbsp; Big thanks to Jason Hayden and all the other volunteers that make this race possible. If you love Vermont, grass roots racing, climbing, sweet single track and killer downhills this is a must do race. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=165#post-511 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:18:51 +0000 mtbmind 511@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Okay so I did this race last year immediately following my 27 lap solo 24 hour victory at Great Glen and told myself 2011 will be better with fresh legs.&nbsp; The original plan was to race at a somewhat easier pace on Sat and then race again on Sunday at the Hampshire 100 which had a stacked field including Tinker and company.&nbsp; That plan changed once Steve S. sent me a text as I was driving up to VT&nbsp; on Friday night in search for this secluded and legal camping spot in the middle of nowhere up the mountain near the race course.&nbsp; Steve's text said Jonny Bold was signed up and all I could think of was how I was going to take it easy if he was racing.&nbsp; Maybe he was kidding, however breakfast in the country store the next morning confirmed it. </p> <p>For those of you who haven't been to Pittsfield, all of the trails are built on private land and mainly throughout a big mountain with serious vertical.&nbsp; With so much vertical has to come switchbacks and there are plenty of them... really nice ones at that with HUGE berms that flow very nicely.&nbsp; They were built after all by mountain bike racers.&nbsp; Everything is singletrack except for one short piece of dirt road that connects you to other trails, but you seriously need to ride here.&nbsp; It's no joke and a whole lot of fun.&nbsp; It's real VT mountain biking and what a race course should look like.</p> <p>Anyway on to the race.&nbsp; You can watch Steve's fabulous video of the start which covers the leMans start through the green fields, around the farm, and to the bikes.&nbsp; I placed my bike closest to the and of the run so I wouldn't have to run any more in bike shoes, while Jonny placed is at the end.&nbsp; We both hit the bikes at the same time and I was on his tail for the start of the first lap looking for king of the hill.&nbsp; I knew it would be tough to grab with him in front of me but I attempted to stay on his wheel up the mountain until I lost a bit of ground with a few mistakes on bridges that cost me a few seconds.&nbsp; Jonny would go on to take the KOH while I quickly followed 20 seconds later and rejoined with him on the downhill.&nbsp; I was actually surprised that I caught him on the downhill, but he let me by and I led a line down amazing bermyness back to the start finish where we started lap 2.&nbsp; </p> <p>I didn't have a support person with me so I started with 2 bottles.. drinking one bottle per lap.&nbsp; I am not on my second and I led the way up the mountain for lap 2 all the way to the top.&nbsp; I hit the top first and stopped for more water so I wouldn;t have to stop again at the bottom which is where Jonny passed me and attempted to put on some time.&nbsp; I had a hard time catching back up because I could tell he was hitting the downhill a bit faster than the first lap, but I rejoined with him at the start of lap 3 and then was within 50 feet of him up the climb once again until the muddy conditions got to me drivetrain.&nbsp; My chain somehow folded onto itself in between the front derailleur and the crank and was seriously stuck there.&nbsp; I left my tool in the car so resorted to a nice rock to try and bang it free.&nbsp; </p> <p>By this point Jonny is probably starting the last climb to the top and Kurt S. had passed me 5 min ago.&nbsp; Dammit!!&nbsp; I didn't want to break my chain so I had to wait until a lapped rider caught up to me and gave me a tool so I could move my front derailleur up which freed the chain.&nbsp; Steve passed me as I was fixing it and by this point I am probably 15 minutes behind Jonny.&nbsp; This is not good!</p> <p>I raced back on my bike and up the mountain in hopes of catching the leaders but was constantly told I was 15-18 minutes behind on lap 4 and 5.&nbsp; I finished lap 5 at 2:56 and decided not to go out on a 6th because there was no way I was making up 20 min and there was no point in killing myself for nothing when I had a $135 race to prepare for the next day.&nbsp; I was pissed and knew it would have been a tight finish with me, Jonny, &amp; Kurt, but Jonny pulled away for the win by 20 seconds while the rest of us watched while cooling off in the river. hah </p> <p>Thanks to Jason and everyone around Amee farm for putting this race on.<br />I'll be back next year. </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=164#post-510 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:17:42 +0000 mtbmind 510@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>I wish I could have been there but honestly it was nice to have a break from that course due to my brothers wedding.&nbsp; Congratulations on everyone's victory!!&nbsp; </p> http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=163#post-509 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:56:20 +0000 Steve Segenchuk 509@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <p>Broken finger? There seems to be a lot of that going around. I dislocated my pinky last Tues.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>The weekend was great. It rained driving up to VT on Fri and the way home from NH on Sun without a drop from the sky in-between (ok it was raining during awards on Sun and some unlucky souls were still out on course). Add almost 13 hrs of racing on some great trails and what more could you ask for.&nbsp;</div> </p>