Snake TT #1

I have the shortest attention span ever so I should really start doing race reports sooner!

A few highlights:
1) We got to hang out with Mike and Jeanie for a few hours and they even shared their hotel room with us! Matt & I registered Friday night and Jeanie drove us to the start Saturday morning so we didn't get to see as many people as usual but getting a head start was awesome.
2) I had a goal of 4.5 hours in mind for my first attempt at the 34(actually 32)-miler and I crossed the line at 4:30:09 which was good enough for 1st in my class! I did stop one time to give a guy a CO2 cartridge that was buried in my middle jersey pocket under my jacket. I was really tired by this point so I'm sure it took more than 9 seconds. :)
3) There were some Mulberry Gap energy cookies left when I finished, so good!
4) The weather, although really cold during the second half and in the parking lot, was awesome. The trail was in great shape too . . . sketchy sections and all.
5) I'm looking forward to TT #2 in February! NWGA Sorba does an excellent job with this series.

I rode the Misfit SS (32x22) but after I was done, decided I wanted to ride the Air9 in February. Now I'm back to SS so who knows. It really depends on the weather and how much riding we get to do in the next few weeks.

After being stuck inside all week due to the big snow storm of 2011, we were dying to get outside and ride last weekend. Matt got word of a ride down in Juliette, GA near Macon. It was a pre-ride for the Fried Green 50 in October. We loaded up the bikes, picked up Norma, Johnny & Brad at McD's and headed south. When we got to the railroad tracks (the trail head was just on the other side), there were 10+ cars in park, all mountain bikers, staring at a stopped train. Apparently, this is normal as the operator usually stops for breakfast on Sundays right in the middle of the crossing. After a short time, he was moving and we were parked and ready to ride. The fire roads were dry then wet, muddy then hard-packed then peanut butter but I don't think anyone cared . . . we were riding our bikes with an awesome group of friends!!! This was the 4th time I've been able to ride the Niner and I loved it! I can't wait to get it on some singletrack to see how it handles. :)

After 3 days off for the snow storm, I also had Monday off for the MLK Jr holiday. I was pretty unproductive but I hit the gym and managed to somewhat reorganize the kitchen. We have more water bottles and pint glasses and 2 people should!

Race season is starting early this year! Two more Snake TT races and the Chain Buster racing series starts next month too. We're registered for the 6-hours of Warrior Creek in April and we'll go up for Dirt Sweat & Gears in May. I think I'm going to try a few xc races this year too. Who knows what the year will bring but I'm excited about how it's starting off!

Tax season is about to occupy any free time I have. In addition to my "real" job, I'll be preparing individual and small business tax returns for my little side business. Busy, busy, busy until summer time!