So the official countdown has started. In less than a month Norma, Roberto and I will be heading up to Hayward, Wisconsin for the annual Chequamegon Race. I am sure most of you have heard me talk about it, but in case you haven't, here are a few facts about it.
This is the 24th edition of this event
Since 1992 a 2500 field limit was established
Since 1992 every edition of the event has been sold-out
The 2500 riders participate in two different formats; the 40-mile main event with a limit of 1700 and the 16-mile "Short and Fat" event for the other 800.
Hayward, WI hosts the start of the 40-mile event, while the Short and Fat starts and ends in Cable, which is the finish for the 40-mile event also.
Needless to say, this race has been in my calendar since last year. Earlier this Spring we all had to submit our registrations and hope that we would get picked. Unfortunately Gregorio didn't get picked (isn't this the third in a row).
Since there have not been any races in Arizona in a while Norma and I had to create a training plan. Just last week we started riding off-road after spending several days building our endurance on the road. South Mountain and the roads around it have been our training grounds. Just last Sunday we conquered the 7.5 mile climb to the top of South Mountain where the TV Towers are. It was quite a work out that got the best out of both of us (even some tears!!). Now that we put the knoby tires back, we have been riding Desert Classic, which is a trail system weaving through the foothills on the East and South of South Mountain. Conveniently, our new apartment is less than a mile from the trail entrance.
We have also done a lot of gym work. Soon I'll add some pictures of Norma and I pumping some iron and doing some serious intervals on the stationary bikes.
BACK TO RACING
This weekend also will mark my return to the competition. After doing my last race on June 18th, this weekend we are heading to Silver City, New Mexico. This is the closest Moutain Bike Race in the area, so I am hoping to use it to gauge the results of the last few weeks of training. The race will be held on Sunday, Aug.20 and is part of the New Mexico Off-Road Series. Not sure what to expect of it yet. For the sounds of it, there is a lot of climbing and it'll probably be hot. (Silver City is really close to the Arizona border) so I'll keep you posted. As for Norma, she is planning on pre-riding the course before deciding whether this race will mark her debut in mountain bike racing. I am hoping she does, so it won't be as overwhelming to line up next to 800 people in Chequamegon to compete in her first competetive event ever.
I also have to admit that she has come a long way to her current riding abilities and I believe she is going to do great. Not only has she develop great bike handling skills but her fitness level has dramatically improved. She doesn't believe me, but a few days ago we were riding on pavement and I had to dig deep in a couple sections to stay on her wheel. Keep in mind that this happened after she had been setting the pace for about an hour and facing the wind while I simply drafted.
ROBERTO's UPDATE
Mr. Madrigal is holding strong to his 5th Place on his age group in the Minnesota Series. Last Sunday he raced at the Metric Race in Welch, MN. That is one of my personal favorites but from what I heard from Beto, the course was not his favorite this week. Humidity and even rain made things difficult, that and a new climb called "THE WALL" forced him to finish 9th (out of 10 people) but it sounds like a lot of other DNF. Here is a picture of him, climbing The Wall...
This picture is from www.skinnyski.com
Oh righ folks, have a great week, keep checking back on our progress and take care.
Pura Vida!
Jeff
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario