Snake Creek Gap 17, February 2011

Date: 2/5/2011

Temperature: high 30's, low 40s.

Clothing: knicker bibs, knee socks, 260-icebreaker baselayer, short sleeved jersey, shoe & toe covers, windproof skull cap.

Gearing: 32x22.

Conditions: a bit wet on the lower sections, but overall very nice for the 17.

# of slow motion crashes#: 3.

Minutes shaved off last year's time: 21.

Place in SS category for the Feb race: 8 (if I calculated correctly).

Max speed: 39.7.

Time spent walking over rocks: none, I cleared everything. Just kidding, it was so long that I blocked it out.

Mishap: cleat loosened on one shoe.

Time spent fixing mishap: 3-4 min?

Best tunes on the ride: GNR's sweet child of mine, Daddy Yankee's gasolina, DP's let the bodies hit the floor.

Highlight: PR- time and passing geared rider down the road to the finish.

Post ride meal: chili, peach cobbler, the usual.

Post ride beer: Caldera IPA and Yazoo hop project.

Photos: Wilderness Adventure Photography.

New Girl in Town

So, I'm not really new to town, but I am the newest one on the Vantaggio team. I've raced mountain bikes off and on since 2008. After the muddy, hike-a-bike hilarity of Dirt, Sweat and Gears in 2009, I decided to copy my fiance, Anthony, and get a single speed bike. It was going to be my training bike and the ride I'd use in inclement conditions in order to shield my drivetrain from pricey overhauls. I landed a used Niner One and since then, my lovely geared bike Anthony bought me as a Christmas present years ago, has collected lots of dust. Like most everyone who enjoys riding SS bikes, I like the simplicity of it. I'm no expert, but I'm hooked. It's easy to clean and keep running. I don't have trepidation of costly derailleur repairs. The bike is light and I don't have to strategize while tachycardic about which gear will be best. It takes some of the complexity out of my riding experience and I get to just pedal (except when I can't, ie when I don't have the power to turn the cranks over on steep hills and have to hop off and walk). Since joining the Grace Law-Trek p/b Vantaggio posse, I get the privilege of racing on a Gary Fisher Superfly SS 29er. I've never built a mountain bike from new parts before and am very excited about seeing it all come together. The guys at the Chattanooga Trek store have been great about helping me pick and choose parts for the new ride (a special shout out goes to Mike Teff-- thanks so much for your time and input!!). All the parts are trickling in I'm crossing my fingers I might be able to ride it for the March Snake Creek Gap. It will be the nicest ride I've ever had and I will be working hard in order to ride it to its capacity.

The first team training camp of 2011 was last weekend and I'll add some pictures and commentary about it soon.