Transmexicana Part 1

Wendy and I arrived in Mexico one week prior to the race. I did some short rides, explored a bit and relaxed for the most part. We also got some massages, rode buggies, kayaks and a little snorkling, but for the most part we relaxed. We got some beaches all to ourselves ... and ... well ... it was fun being all alone on a deserted beach if you know what I mean.

Wendy left on Saturday and I went to check in after dropping her off at the airport. The prerace activity was to release about 100 endangered lizards into the wild. It was pretty cool handling the lizards. All of them were relatively small - about 12 inches head to tail, but they grow to over 3 ft. long. I guess they taste like chicked and that´s why they´re endagered. the locals eat them.

The race is pretty small. 44 people registered for the race. Due to some no shows, numbers were 23 in the open category, 16 in the masters and one woman. We started at 8 am on Sunday in the town of Crucesitas. I guess I was not too suprised how fast we started. I got last the wheel of last year´s winner and stayed there until the first rise when I found out how we won last year. Lupillo is a XC ex-national champion of Mexico (I think in 04 and 05). I settled down, waited for the next group - two canadians and ¨Rojo¨ from Monterrey. One of the Canadians got second place here last year.

Once we started some more serious climbing the two Canadians dropped me and Rojo which I was expecting anyway - all three ahead were in the open position and Rojo had a number from the open category as well. We were joined by Oscar, who was a Master, and the 3 of us rode together for a while. The stage was supposed to be 88 km long with on big climb at the end. When we started climbing, Oscar dropped off immediately, and Rojo and I moved on at our own pace. Eventuall Rojo dropped me, I´m pretty sure I could´ve stayed with him, but I didn´t want to dig too deep since this was day one and it was pretty hot. Temperatures were in the 90´s with high humidity. About 3 km from the top I caught Rojo. He was under a small stream trying to cool down - I found out later he cramped. Near the top, on a small descent, my front tire washed out and I landed on my elbow - at least it was not the same one that was stitched up in November. Got up and got going again, then was told by one of the organizers that I had 700 meters to go, I looked down to see what my mileage is and ... my garmin is missing... turned around went back to where I crashed - it was only about 100 meters - got my garmin and got going again. At the town - 700 meters later - I went around some streets, trying not to hit anybody, went down some steps into a basketball court where people were clapping. I guess the whole town came out to see us. They called out my name and were I was from, townspeople came over to shake my hand. It was pretty cool.

I finished 4th overall and 1st the masters. Time gap was at 3 minutes to Rojo, who kept saying he was in the Masters category - need to keep an eye on him. Next came Enrique, another masters rider about 10 minutes behind me. We climbing just over 6,000 ft. today, but legs felt good. The only thing that was bothering me was my lower back.

Ate and drank for the remainder of the evening. For dinner, the whole town came out and presented the riders with some local coffee - Wendy will have to tell us if it´s good or not. They also cooked for us some tostadas and tamales - very good food. After the riders got served, the town ate as well - I think the population of the town was about 150 to 200 people.

Day two is supposed to be 105 km, and we´ll be going some high mountains over 9,000 ft. high. We started off on a downhill with Lupillo, the two canadians and me all in a row. When we finally started climbing, I knew I couldn´t stay with those guys so I settled into my own pace. There were 3 climbs, all long and steep. When I reached the first climb, Enrique was about 50 meters behind me, so I pushed the downhill and took some chances. I wanted to have a good lead before the next climb. When I hit the climb, I could see Enrique about 2-3 switchbacks behind me - I´m guessing about 5-10 minutes behind - it was long and steep climb. Did the same thing on the next descent and when I hit the third climb, I couldn´t see Enrique any more. By the time I reached the top, around 9500 ft., I had been riding for 4.5 hours and had only traveled half the distance, but the next section was downhill most of the way dropping down to 4000 ft. Took off downhill and started hearing some hub noises - hub was not freewheeling. I was so preoccupied with the hub that I didn´t realize my garmin had fallen off. My hub was so bad that if I stopped pedaling, my chain would fall off or it would get trapped between the tiere and the chainstay - neither of which are good. I ended up softpedaling for most of the part, and was not going as fast as I wanted but I finally made to the finish.

4th overall again, 1st in the masters. time gap to Enrique was 50 minutes - lead is now just under an hour. We climbed just over 9000 ft. for the day.

This town was not as receptive and the accomodations were not the greates, but one of the locas came over and said he had a spare room and I could rent it for 80 pesos.. about 7 dollars. I took him up on the offer... here is the thing, he had a shrine to a dead child IN the room where I was going to sleep. I almost said no, but decided ¨what the hell¨... I mean... ¨why not¨- you don´t want to say ¨hell¨ near a catholic shrine. I slept pretty good after being a little spooked with outside noises.

Day 3 we were told was one of the hardest due to the length - 130 km - and the heat since we were going through the desert. Well, it was hard, but fortunately it wasn´t as hot was expected. This day it was a bunch a big rollers with one 3000 ft. step climb with grades in the teens for prolonged sections. I rode with Enrique to the base of the steep climb, he had some derailler issues at the base of the climb and I never saw him again. Through one of the small towns, the school kids were outside waiting for us with cokes and water. I stopped, asked to fill my water bottle and they all wanted to pour water into it. Got some coke from them as well - it was really cool. I´m sure it´s the event of the year for them.

At 90 km, I went through a town, but couldn´t see a course marker - I saw one of the race vehicles and was pointed in the wrong direction. Apparantly somebody took some signs out and I eneded up going a different route than the actual race. I finally hooked up with the course again and kept going. I was sure if my route was easier or harder, shorter or longer, right or wrong. All I knew was that I was on the course once again at no fault of my own. At 110 km, about 1 hour from the finish, I was approach by a truck with two bikes on the back. At first I thought that they were trying to bikejack me, but then I saw 2 riders in the truck. I was told that lots of people were getting lost and that the race was being stopped (time was being taken at the town were I went the wrong direction). We were all driven back to the spot were we missed the turn and eneded up waiting a couple of hours with no food, in our smelly bike clothes. We were finally bused to the hotel after having dinner arriving at 9:30 pm. LONG DAY. I have not seen the results, but as long as I keep my 1 hour lead I´ll be happy.

Unofficially I finished 3rd overall, 1st in the masters. One of the Canadians had some derailler issues, borrowed a bike, but never caught me.

Today is a rest day, then 4 more stages to reach Veracruz. Hopefully I´ll get a chance to update the blog before the finish. Thanks for reading!!! I´ll have some

Oh, yeah, the winner in the masters get free entry for next year and abou $1300 bucks. Sweeeeet!!!

2009 - The first month

It's been a while since I updated the blog and wanted to bring everyone up to speed on what is going on. I have been extremely busy with work, coaching, training for TransMexicana, being on the MBAA Board of Directors and helping out with my mountain bike team - Adrenaline.

Work has been fairly steady, although about 10% of the workforce at Amex was laid off last month. Luckily, I'm in a semi-steady group where we don't expect any impact... at least not yet. I am also coaching 14 riders right now, and that usually has an impact in the evenings and at the races.

So far, we've had two mountain bike races this year (haven't been able to do a road race yet) and it's really been more training for me. Wendy is racing in the Cat 2 (Sport) Class and doing extremely well. She placed 2nd in the first race and won the second one - and that's with riding once or twice a week. I, on the other hand, can't get even close to the podium. I done the marathon class for the two races and placed 6th at both races.

My main focus the past 2 months has been TransMexicana, a 8-day, 7-stages mountain bike race across Mexico. Race starts in Huatulco in the state of Oaxaca, and finishes in Veracruz, in the state of Veracruz. About 775 KM or just under 500 miles if my math is correct. This past week I rode 2-4 hours every day, so needless to say, my legs were a bit tired for the race on Saturday. I was supposed to do another 3 hour ride yesterday, but the weather got in the way and after getting soaked in the first 30 minutes, decided to bag it. I love riding in the rain when it's warm, but not when it's cold. Besides, I'd hate to get sick just a couple of weeks before the big race.

As I mentioned before, I'm part of the MBAA Board of Directors - Competition Chairman - and didn't think it would be this time consuming. Making sure we have permits for all the venues, determining the laps for all classes, helping at the races, and the most time consuming... answering emails/complaints from people. I wish folks would just have fun!!! but I understand that when things go wrong, we all have to voice our opinions. Hopefully our next few races will go without incident.

Last thing is Team Adrenaline - great friends!! I got a grip sponsor - ESI Grips - the best grips around. I been using them for about 5 years with no complaints. I also got some name stickers for people, unfortunately, I'm not into detail and misspelled two names... now I got to have them redone. Still I enjoy helping out. I got a new 29er Titus Fireline, but I'm still waiting for my fork and wheels to build up the bike. Should be fun. I plan on using it to race the last 5 races of the season in the Expert class instead of Marathon. Need to work on getting fast.... I can ride for a long time, I just can't go as fast as I want to. Could it be I'm getting older.... nah!!! Must be the training.

I'll try to post some updates from Mexico - race starts on February 22 - but can't make any promises since I don't know if or where I'll have access to the internet.

Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous 2009 - if the economy ever changes :-)