Sharpening the Knife

The annual Mousetail Challenge XC race was this past Sunday. Last year it was my first XC race aboard the new knife and I kinda hated it. I was still new to the wagon wheels and it felt sluggish and slow on the mostly uphill but twisty course compared to the snappy 26'ers.

I was also woefully out of race shape. Something that took me months to finally admit to myself. This year I've gotten to ride more. Not necessarily more miles or more hours, but more purposeful and Sunday it showed. I entered the woods 5th wheel and my plan was to race for third and hope for the best (the best being 1 and 2 taking themselves out and moving me up the podium). Half way up the first climb I had to pass the dude in front of me, he was woefully slow. I sat in behind 3rd for a bit as his pace was good, but any turn or downhill he was all over his brakes. Sorry Charlie, I didn't sign up for a Jeffy Nomentum ride.

I made a pass and quickly caught up to the 2nd place guy. That is when I realized my legs had something to say that I've not been able to for a couple of years now - "I can go faster than this."  I made my way around and was off chasing 1st. About 2 miles before the end of the first lap I caught and passed 1st place. I told myself it was mine to lose now so don't be stupid and found a groove that I hoped would stick. It stuck.

Daniel "two firsts this weekend" Medley out preparing for the State Championships.

The State Championships are in two weeks. I'm feeling pretty good. The miles since my reboot in Steamboat have been good to me. I'm back to pushing a solid gearing and having something in the legs. I've also been to a few Knife Wielding 101 courses this year and have learned how to stop worrying and to love the bomb. Hopefully things will line up right for me and I can improve upon my silver from last year. We shall see.

Before the Storms

It's been a long time since I've not wilted in the heat. The past 2 years haven't been so kind to me with riding and heat. The past few weeks have hit us with 100+ degree temps that seemed to hold us hostage until the recent wet weather set in. Dry and dusty trails, hot and melty pavement greeted us wherever we roamed. And roam we did.

It kicked off early morning the Saturday before the Fourth of July with a little 'Stand By Me'- esque exploration. Some trail here, some gravel there, a small jaunt on an old abandoned Civil War era train tracks. Our Breakfast Club ride has become a favorite weekday tradition of mine this summer and it never ceases to amaze me how much adventure we can find less than a mile from downtown.

With many of us having Wednesday off for the Holiday, a Southern Discomfort Gravel Grinder ride was put together by the usual gravel suspects to kick off the fireworks early. It would be a day of hill attacks and downhill sprints. A large crew assembled before the true heat of the day kicked in and we meandered our way around the gravel gold that is Hickman County. The economic times and the diminishing population of the small rural communities have hit some of the local general stores harder than others. We recently lost one of our favorite refueling stations along the way which made for a much hotter and harder ride than anticipated. One stop was all we were going to get and it came less than a third of the way through the route. Plan accordingly.

Whenever a group of riders greater than 3 get together, the chances of mechanical issues grows proportionally higher. There were several flats encountered along the way and even a tire failing beyond repair. So slowly but surely our group whittled away until we had four smaller groups each trying to make their way back to the cars. The first group had a hard time keeping pace and opted to head off and explore at their leisure. The second was hiding out in the shade of some trees waiting on a vehicle to pick them up. A third continued on the original route but waited at an old country church for stragglers and a chance to rest in the shade and refill empty water bottles from a spicket. The rest followed me as we raced back to the cars trying to get home before Fourth of July plans fell South. It was a long hot day in the saddle, but not one that ever put me into the ropes. It's good to be back.

Sunday brought with it the real heat. 104 degrees in the shade on Raccoon Mountain. It was hot. The ride started from a blacktop parking lot 10 miles from the top of Raccoon Mountain. We slogged in the heat finishing a water bottle before even reaching the top. It was going to be a long day.

I hear people rave about the 'Coon all the time. It seems as if a caravan from Nashville is heading down every weekend. I've often thought about going but just can't seem to make it past Monteagle. I mean the trails are fun, the views are great, but I just don't get the same wow factor as I do from some of the other mountain trails closer to home. But I gave it another go. Stepped outside my comfort zone and hit it up. I'm glad I did, though sad we parked in a hot, shade-free parking lot no where near a swimming hole. Note to self: Never ever break Summer Rules.