Randy's Fonucky Race Season Recap!

Chris,

Well, being as we are three races into the winter series, I figured it was time to send a race report a three for one deal!

So, round one I knew it was going to hurt bad (and it did) but I just wanted to be at the races and ride the whole series again. We had 16 guys in our class and the weather was perfect. 

Donnie shortened the course for the beginner and sport class. I guess there has been some complaining about climbing and descending the elevator shaft which for the sport guys I don’t understand, but it’s probably good for me cause I’m not in great shape so I won’t miss the extra climbing.

I wasn’t out to kill it on the start as I would be dying on the road climb anyway, so I just started about mid pack and rode my pace, and sure enough the pavement killed me! I was hurting on lap one and had two more to go (GEEEZZZZZ). I had a few small mishaps on lap one fell once and messed up on one climb and had to walk it but was still having fun.

Headed out for my last two laps and was hurting on lap two, but felt much better on lap three. Although I finished fourteenth out of sixteen I had a great time and enjoyed Bullshitting with Roger from Kenda and the famous Fuzzy. We had some goooooood beer after from the great Brewyard Beer Co.

On to race number two. We had seventeen guys this week and a mean Santa Ana blowing. Took off at my own pace again and got to the paved climb, and the wind was howling. I think I did like 4.5 to 5 mph up the road! Just ridiculous, but got to the single track and enjoyed the ride.. oh... up until I was gassed and made a stupid mistake on a G-out with my right foot down (dumbass). I hit a rock and broke one side of my pedal (not a pedal failure Ken) so I couldn’t clip in on one side. It was a little difficult and was going to DNF after lap one, but again couldn’t do that so I figured out how to run it on one side and continued on.

Felt a lot better this week and knocked a minute and a half off my previous weeks' time. Still didn’t finish too well with a fifteenth out of seventeen but another fun day at the races. 

Race number three and a cooler but non windy day. Sixteen this week and no wind was welcome. This week pushed a little harder off the start and was mid pack or better until the pavement. I need hill repeats in a bad way! I’m getting killed on the climbs but oh well. For having very little rain this year the course is in very good shape and with a few changes to my suspension, I could get after it on the down hills.

It was a good day (not so much finishing wise). I knocked four minutes off my time so I was very happy with that. I finished fourteenth this week and had a blast.

A whole lotta love for everyone who helps this team out: Ryder’s eye wear, Kenda tires, Brewyard brewing, Xpedo pedals, Sigma sport, Hydrapak, and of course you the one and only Christer Phizzle.

Will be back for round four this weekend.

**THANKS, RANDY! GREAT REPORT!

Hint O' Spring

The incessant march of the Grey Death has been lightening up a bit here in the Mid-West, with temps jumping from below freezing, to above 70 degrees within about 36 hours. Trails here are muddy and slick, and its been raining almost every day for weeks now. My BKOLL SMARTPRO2 trainer has been an amazing help, and the 3D, avatar-filled universe is more competitive than most club rides. With nay luck, I'll at least be able to cover 25 miles and not black-out when Spring final springs.

Back in California, Fuzzy has been racing his collective arse off, taking home a sick podium spot with his teammate-for-the-day Timari Pruis of Pivot Cycles. The pair won a hard-fought, race to the finish line victory out at the 12 Hours Of Temecula. Ara also has been prepping for the SoCal test of ultimate leg-death, The Vision Quest. He also has been slaying the NON-DOT races in Vail Lake.
Fueled by BREWYARD BREWING CO beers, his carb-loading regimen is on-point.

Vegas Bob has been up in NorCal, using the lens technology of his Ryders Eyewear to manage the varying light conditions of the fog-laden coast. Bob has been riding the Grasshopper Gravel Enduro Series for a change of pace from the hot and dusty O.C. mountains. He has been climbing like a goat this year, and will probably take Contador out at some point in the near future.

Randy Rush managed to get back out to Fontana for some Southridge racing, and his XC bike has been able to keep up with his calves...and his beer guzzling! Randy also showed up for some Cyclocross racing with Fuzz,  is hoping to be back in force for 2018 as well.

Jeff Williams has been working with his employer, and a hospital in Portsmouth, Ohio, on a program to get at-risk teens involved in mountain biking. Jeff is a teacher in Portsmouth, but gas to cross the suspension bridge back to KY for the drive home every day.

Josh Qualls has also been on his BKOOL SMARTPRO2 trainer, and has had some great success in the Winter Cup Series on their website. Josh should be getting back on the podium for 2018, after some life-events required him to take a race-break last year.

Mark Thome has been back and forth between Huntington Beach and Montana, riding out of HB Velo Cyclery. His fat bike is getting lots of use on Bozeman, and his road bike is being decimated via the HB Velo Sunday group rides.


Hope you all are enjoying the week, and I hope to hear from everyone soon!