I went out to fight the "skin-walkers" solo around 7pm. It was a bit chilly, 35 degrees and it seemed darker than usual. I jammed to the tunes from my iPod to drown out my fears of blood-thirsty coyotes or other sharp-toothed mammals looming in the dark. All was good until Michael Jackson's thriller song kicked in...(I had a buddy tell me the "skin-walkers" come out after 7! eep.)
I had borrowed different night riding lights from a buddy to compare the difference to what I already own. The differences: First, I had two lights this time, one mounted to my helmet with a second on the handlebars. My original setup only had a helmet light. I think I like this dual light setup and will have two lights for next years 24 hours of Moab.
I just took a few minutes of the video from the entire ride( I don't want to you to die of boredom so don't expect anything thrilling). When your watching the video, the camera is mounted behind my helmet light (you will notice the off/on green light). Take note of the two lights moving around and some of the few snow spots on the ground!!
Showing posts with label Night Riding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Night Riding. Show all posts
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
24 Hours of Moab
Nothing is a total failure; and all education has a cost are my life's mantra. Learning about the various aspects of the race I believe require a couple iterations to really learn the basics. Furthermore, I believe you will learn new things each year.
What did we learn? First, I am thankful for the friends and family that decided to help support the race. We learned that the race is not only about the racers but very much the support staff. There are a variety of roles that are required outside the racers to make this successful. Rather than go into the details, I will summarize that the race support of a team needs to have some management and defined roles. Second, the various training, equipment, food, and patterns of behavior for the racers are more clearly defined.
The bottom line, I cannot wait until next year! Check out some of the pictures below!
Below the entire crew; my cool company Mercury Payment System sponsored our team and we in return broadcast our name. We also considered how Mercury Payment System could involve the merchants at the event to help land strategic accounts elsewhere. We even made the company blog!
Here is the link to the company's blog. http://mindset.mercurypay.com/?p=306
(click for larger image)
Notice how my head is hanging a little lower. This was after the majority of the climbing and i was resting my lower back.
(click for larger image)
Tyler, looking like a pro whipping around the corner.
(click for larger image)
This is after the same climb, Tyler looking strong.
(click for larger image)
If you click to get the larger image, look closely at the loose sand. This can be brutal while on the bike. The route was a combination of hard pack and suddenly you hit deep soft sand. Maintaining balance in the sand while pedaling was something new for Tyler and I. Yes, this was some pro chick in front of me, I had to pass her! and I did :)
(click for larger image)
The race was a La Mans start. This is where everyone starts at a start line and runs to the bikes!
In conclusion of the year...
I want to thank everyone for their good attitudes and team spirit!
Tyler, honestly, you totally made me proud this year. Starting from the early years Xterras to finishing up the season with your first endurance race. Your dedication of learning all aspects of training from open water swimming to mental endurance when the things become cold, dark, and tiring brought many hidden tears to my eyes. All season long you you held a dedication not common amongst teenagers: waking up early to trail run, swim during my lunches and bike ride during the workdays and weekends. Finally, the endurance training rides started when you were in High School; maintaining all A's, taking college classes as a Junior, having girlfriends, yet you still trained. You are totally awesome and you are just planting the seeds to your opportunities of the future! The world is your oyster.
What did we learn? First, I am thankful for the friends and family that decided to help support the race. We learned that the race is not only about the racers but very much the support staff. There are a variety of roles that are required outside the racers to make this successful. Rather than go into the details, I will summarize that the race support of a team needs to have some management and defined roles. Second, the various training, equipment, food, and patterns of behavior for the racers are more clearly defined.
The bottom line, I cannot wait until next year! Check out some of the pictures below!
Below the entire crew; my cool company Mercury Payment System sponsored our team and we in return broadcast our name. We also considered how Mercury Payment System could involve the merchants at the event to help land strategic accounts elsewhere. We even made the company blog!
Here is the link to the company's blog. http://mindset.mercurypay.com/?p=306
(click for larger image)Notice how my head is hanging a little lower. This was after the majority of the climbing and i was resting my lower back.
(click for larger image)Tyler, looking like a pro whipping around the corner.
(click for larger image)This is after the same climb, Tyler looking strong.
(click for larger image)If you click to get the larger image, look closely at the loose sand. This can be brutal while on the bike. The route was a combination of hard pack and suddenly you hit deep soft sand. Maintaining balance in the sand while pedaling was something new for Tyler and I. Yes, this was some pro chick in front of me, I had to pass her! and I did :)
(click for larger image)The race was a La Mans start. This is where everyone starts at a start line and runs to the bikes!
In conclusion of the year...
I want to thank everyone for their good attitudes and team spirit!
Tyler, honestly, you totally made me proud this year. Starting from the early years Xterras to finishing up the season with your first endurance race. Your dedication of learning all aspects of training from open water swimming to mental endurance when the things become cold, dark, and tiring brought many hidden tears to my eyes. All season long you you held a dedication not common amongst teenagers: waking up early to trail run, swim during my lunches and bike ride during the workdays and weekends. Finally, the endurance training rides started when you were in High School; maintaining all A's, taking college classes as a Junior, having girlfriends, yet you still trained. You are totally awesome and you are just planting the seeds to your opportunities of the future! The world is your oyster.
Monday, August 31, 2009
R.S.S.N.R
Rigid Single Speed Night Riding in the gulch!
I was eager to try out my new Lights in Motion 200L head lamp for some mountain bike night riding; stupidly, I also decided to ride the rigid single speed.
The experience was a blend of emotions...
Remember as a kid, your first time in Disney World and riding Space Mountain? You start off in a dark chamber, lots of blinky lights, as you prepared yourself to be launched into a dark abyss of gravity defying thrills?
Remember, your first time parking the car with the high school girlfriend in a dark area. It was dark, not sure what your getting into...
Both of these emotions can be mixed into one sweet elixir" "Mountain bike night riding."
I started off unsure what to expect, I climbed Horse Gulch road focusing on a circle of light 15 feet in front of my 29inch wheel. Everything outside the light's diameter was dark. I contemplated on the light; would this be similar to the light I will see at the moment of death? I can hear voices saying "Don't follow the light", fortunately this time, this light will keep me safe!
I continued riding, the air was cool and it felt good. I approached the meadow and scanned the helmet light across the dark abyss. To my surprise, and off in an unknown distance, I saw eyes. A couple little eyes, but one set in particular caught my attention. They were much larger than the rest. Possibly a bear or mountain lion. From this point forward every 30 seconds I would grunt loudly to hopefully scare off anything considering me a tasty evening snack.
After awhile, I calmed down, and rode on silently. I let go of any concerns of being torn apart by a nasty saber tooth tiger and become one with the night. I heard the bugs, felt the cool breeze, saw the stars, and barely heard my wheels quietly rolling on the single track. I felt as if I was supposed to be there. I stopped at one point to turn off my head light and just listened. It was very calming....
Enough of the philosophical discussion! The bottom line, it as great fun and training for the 24 hour Moab race coming up in October!
Helmet light, Battery pack, and Camel Back. The light runs 10 hours at low setting and 5 hours at high setting.
click for larger image
The Rigid Single Speed, Kona 2-9 Unit
click for larger image
The happy mountain biker (me) after the ride and displaying the gear!
click for larger image
Rigid Single Speed Night Riding in the gulch!
I was eager to try out my new Lights in Motion 200L head lamp for some mountain bike night riding; stupidly, I also decided to ride the rigid single speed.
The experience was a blend of emotions...
Remember as a kid, your first time in Disney World and riding Space Mountain? You start off in a dark chamber, lots of blinky lights, as you prepared yourself to be launched into a dark abyss of gravity defying thrills?
Remember, your first time parking the car with the high school girlfriend in a dark area. It was dark, not sure what your getting into...
Both of these emotions can be mixed into one sweet elixir" "Mountain bike night riding."
I started off unsure what to expect, I climbed Horse Gulch road focusing on a circle of light 15 feet in front of my 29inch wheel. Everything outside the light's diameter was dark. I contemplated on the light; would this be similar to the light I will see at the moment of death? I can hear voices saying "Don't follow the light", fortunately this time, this light will keep me safe!
I continued riding, the air was cool and it felt good. I approached the meadow and scanned the helmet light across the dark abyss. To my surprise, and off in an unknown distance, I saw eyes. A couple little eyes, but one set in particular caught my attention. They were much larger than the rest. Possibly a bear or mountain lion. From this point forward every 30 seconds I would grunt loudly to hopefully scare off anything considering me a tasty evening snack.
After awhile, I calmed down, and rode on silently. I let go of any concerns of being torn apart by a nasty saber tooth tiger and become one with the night. I heard the bugs, felt the cool breeze, saw the stars, and barely heard my wheels quietly rolling on the single track. I felt as if I was supposed to be there. I stopped at one point to turn off my head light and just listened. It was very calming....
Enough of the philosophical discussion! The bottom line, it as great fun and training for the 24 hour Moab race coming up in October!
Helmet light, Battery pack, and Camel Back. The light runs 10 hours at low setting and 5 hours at high setting.
click for larger imageThe Rigid Single Speed, Kona 2-9 Unit
click for larger imageThe happy mountain biker (me) after the ride and displaying the gear!
click for larger imageRigid Single Speed Night Riding in the gulch!
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