Writing has certainly taken a back seat this summer. Somewhere between moving homes, being homeless for two weeks, getting settled, work, and racing plenty, it's escaped me completely. That and family adventures have been plentiful on the North Shore and in Montana. Mountain biking this year has been interesting in many regards. Aside from a bluebird gravel race in April, every race has been graced by soupy conditions that give my handling a run for the money. Secondly, I have very little idea how to train on a bike after many years of running, so competitively, I'm not there. Luckily, I have gotten in some great races this year including Borah Epic, Lutsen 69er, the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series, Gitchee Gumee Traverse, and finally Chequamegon 40. Those are on top of a few early spring gravel races. All have been graced with no mechanical issues or injuries aside from skin loss here and there. That and I've grown to really love the hurt that mountain bike racing brings. It's equal parts focus and scorching muscle burn that leave you wanting more. As the season winds down, I am looking forward to building upon it and prepping my body for next year's adventures. Here are five learnings from taking on this new sport.
1) Want to race fast? You better ride fast. Seems obvious, but sometimes it's just super easy to enjoy the flow of a trail and not pedal yourself hypoxic. Next season, when the training block is there, I am going to integrate at least a day of trail intervals and hills, specifically for different races. It's nice to bike commute, but long moderate miles just don't get the job done.
2) There are a lot of great races out there. One argument I've heard against mountain biking is the expense side of registration. Sure, there are plenty of expensive races, but there are also some awesome grass roots events. I figured out late in the season that these are plentiful such as the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series and Green Tunnels Events. Next year, I wouldn't trade racing the thousands at Lutsen or Chequamegon. Personally, I love the top notch competition, the day of excitement, and all the amenities such as bike wash, bike check, free Fulton Beer, hot showers, food, etc. Each type of race has its spot in the schedule I think.
3) Nutrition - man cycling leaves me hungry unlike running. I found myself eating much closer to race start and needing a lot more per hour on the bike. Hammer Perpeteum, Hammer gel, Hammer Sustained Energy, avocados, bananas, and the occasional gas station meal (Coke, Snickers, Coke, Snickers, and Pabst when in Wisconsin) were all good.
4) Weight to power - I've personally not figured it out, but my body seems to run roughly 10lbs heavier and requires more strength than my running days. Sure, there are plenty of 135 lb cyclists, but the t-rex bod isn't really useful for everyday humanity. I'm stuck somewhere between a climber and a sprinter. This off-season, I am looking forward to hitting the gym hard.
5) Bike parts aren't running shoes! Man this sport is expensive. I either need to a) improve and find a home shop b) stop chasing shiny shit like a bass c) all of the above. Thankfully I have a desk job and overly understanding wife to allow such a ridiculous hobby. Now I just need to get rid of that 3rd garage temptation!
Lastly, it's been great to remain supported by some great folks this year despite cutting the running season in January due to an ankle injury that has never healed.
Fitsok: the best sock in the industry from what I have found. Both the durability and performance are unrivaled. Though the ISW wool is still made for "running" I absolutely love it on the bike, particularly the crew which looks like a cycling sock despite Jeff Bull's opinion :0)
Hammer Nutrition: top notch product that I never have to second guess for fuel. Since sticking to Hammer over 3 years ago, I have yet to have a race go south due to under fueling or gut distress. Nutrition is personal, but I love Perpeteum and Sustained Energy to get through the roughest most grueling races.
Well Adjusted Chiropractic: A decade worth of football hits and another 7 years worth of hard running have certainly put me through the wringer. Super thankful to Dr. Andy Risvold and his ability to keep me healthy. He jokes that I adjust him due to how stiff I usually am (sorry!)
1) Want to race fast? You better ride fast. Seems obvious, but sometimes it's just super easy to enjoy the flow of a trail and not pedal yourself hypoxic. Next season, when the training block is there, I am going to integrate at least a day of trail intervals and hills, specifically for different races. It's nice to bike commute, but long moderate miles just don't get the job done.
2) There are a lot of great races out there. One argument I've heard against mountain biking is the expense side of registration. Sure, there are plenty of expensive races, but there are also some awesome grass roots events. I figured out late in the season that these are plentiful such as the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series and Green Tunnels Events. Next year, I wouldn't trade racing the thousands at Lutsen or Chequamegon. Personally, I love the top notch competition, the day of excitement, and all the amenities such as bike wash, bike check, free Fulton Beer, hot showers, food, etc. Each type of race has its spot in the schedule I think.
3) Nutrition - man cycling leaves me hungry unlike running. I found myself eating much closer to race start and needing a lot more per hour on the bike. Hammer Perpeteum, Hammer gel, Hammer Sustained Energy, avocados, bananas, and the occasional gas station meal (Coke, Snickers, Coke, Snickers, and Pabst when in Wisconsin) were all good.
4) Weight to power - I've personally not figured it out, but my body seems to run roughly 10lbs heavier and requires more strength than my running days. Sure, there are plenty of 135 lb cyclists, but the t-rex bod isn't really useful for everyday humanity. I'm stuck somewhere between a climber and a sprinter. This off-season, I am looking forward to hitting the gym hard.
5) Bike parts aren't running shoes! Man this sport is expensive. I either need to a) improve and find a home shop b) stop chasing shiny shit like a bass c) all of the above. Thankfully I have a desk job and overly understanding wife to allow such a ridiculous hobby. Now I just need to get rid of that 3rd garage temptation!
Lastly, it's been great to remain supported by some great folks this year despite cutting the running season in January due to an ankle injury that has never healed.
Fitsok: the best sock in the industry from what I have found. Both the durability and performance are unrivaled. Though the ISW wool is still made for "running" I absolutely love it on the bike, particularly the crew which looks like a cycling sock despite Jeff Bull's opinion :0)
Hammer Nutrition: top notch product that I never have to second guess for fuel. Since sticking to Hammer over 3 years ago, I have yet to have a race go south due to under fueling or gut distress. Nutrition is personal, but I love Perpeteum and Sustained Energy to get through the roughest most grueling races.
Well Adjusted Chiropractic: A decade worth of football hits and another 7 years worth of hard running have certainly put me through the wringer. Super thankful to Dr. Andy Risvold and his ability to keep me healthy. He jokes that I adjust him due to how stiff I usually am (sorry!)