Well, as of last week I am way less a student and way more a researcher.  Kinda. 
Graduate classes are over. 
At this university. 
For my master's. 

Ran the stats on my thesis and all the data supports my hypothesis.  What a great feeling!  MTB and science needed that info.  I have also been working on another study related to the effects precooling before a race has on performance and core temperature.  It's been awesome. 

Racing has been going ok, and now that I have more time I am able to put a lot more in to training.  You know- intervals, naps and putting my feet up... and plenty of downhill runs.  Lower stress also means higher quality everything.  The local downhill park is also open.  I finally hit a jump line and nailed em all!

My last few races I wanted wins.  I felt great for them but ended each run without taking enough chances.  I have since been working on riding slightly more out of control and staying low... just like I used to.  No room for being comfortable in Enduro racing anymore.

On a totally different note, my riders just keep on amazing me.  We have three state championships and almost a dozen wins already!  Coaching has been exceptionally rewarding, even when my guys beat me!  Even though I don't have plans to apply a MS to a lifetime of coaching, I do see myself applying everything I've learned in the books or through research and every mistake I've made on the trails to helping point others in the right direction.

hi

Graduate school is quickly wrapping up just as race season is getting started for me.  The respective school years and off-season have been blurred.  What day is it?  Where are we?

It feels like just yesterday I was touring my bike around Thailand with nothing to worry about except what delicious meal to eat and how far to ride.  Oh, and trying to remember sunscreen.  Now it's finals, thesis, PhD, racing and coaching on the brain.  Sometimes it seems a bit too much to chew, but I love it.

Training has been going well.  I've been spending more time in the gym and doing downhill repeats than anything, but the on the bike specificity is going up the closer we get to the big races.  It's exciting to have a new focus for racing. 

Been testing out 26inch wheels lately.  I hate choices.  They stress me out.  I'm hoping to be all in for either 29 or 26 inch wheels and only travel with one bike.  That being said, the Reign is dope.  6 inches of travel and she only weighs 24 pounds.  Heck, I even won an XC race on it last weekend. With some lung-busting climbs (including a 20-minute grass-road climb), I can't say I really minded pedaling it and certainly felt it was efficient.  Also beat my time on my practice downhill by 31seconds on a 3-minute run.  Then again, I also feel less in control than on my Trance X29.  Still gotta iron that out.

 The travel itinerary is starting to tighten up for the year.  Looks like head out west mid-June, live in my sick new [to me] van for 3 weeks, fly home for nationals, fly back out to the van and stay for a month between CO and BC.  Then it's a little shaky and audaciously rose-colored.  I'd like to hang out in the northeast for a bit before racing Moab and polishing the year off with more NE stuff.

 Finally, I am super stoked about this past weekend.  First, I was stoked to drop the lead moto on a downhill in Michaux.  That was cool.  Secondly, I was blown away to see young kid Drew Bobb with such a strong ride.  He absolutely crushed Michaux.  Kid has speed and skills!  And lastly, three of the riders I work with entered races- and they all won!  It was one of the best feelings ever.  Science wins!

First first of the year.

This past weekend was the Michaux MTB Weekend that included a Super D race on  Saturday and Endurance race on Sunday.  I signed up for the super d and was pretty stoked since it was on one of my favorite descents I used to ride back when I went to Shippensburg U. 

The super d race was about 5 minutes long of a fast and rocky descent.  It was chock full of small rocks and was more about floating over them than line choice.  I felt a little stale from the gym workout the day before, but crossed the line with a decent run and no mistakes after starting last.  There was a little results mix up at first, but it was finally sorted out and I got my first win of the year.  Sweet!  Callie also won, so we got the double!

 That night we slept in the woods again.  I woke up in the middle of the night and lied there thinking how much I love camping and bike racing and stuff.  It was a pretty magical moment until I fell asleep again...

 The next day was the endurance race.  I didn't race.  I didn't want to.  Callie raced, though, and after I did my own ride with the skilled youngster Drew Bobb, I jumped in to encourage her on her final lap.  She was whooped after racing for three hours already, but put in a good final lap to come in fourth in a strong women's field.  I was proud.  And hungry.

And then I looked at my tires.  Not worn, but the side knobs were shredded.  I felt happy about throwing my bike around and picking some steazy lines in the woods.  But now I need new tires...

I really do love the Hans Dampf.  I gets SO MUCH TRACTION.

Oh.  And I have been really happy with the Trance X 29er.  It is exactly the bike I need for racing around the PA woods.  She's down to weighing only 24 pounds with the new Giant PXCR0 carbon wheels.  Those wheels also rule.  6/5 inches of travel and carbon wheels.  It is a dream machine.  Couldn't be happier!

UCI/USAC

I have supported USAC since 2004 when I did my first NORBA mtb race in Waco, TX.  I got my first UCI license in 2010.  Every year since my start I have gone to at least one national level USAC event.  Sadly it seems that now even guys like me who are not fighting at the front of a national level XC races will need to choose: UCI or no UCI?  This comes at a time where I hadn't really planned much XC racing and have really set my sights on the big Enduro races in north america.  Sadly, US XC nationals are also going to be held on my favorite track only 40 minutes from my home.  Both options had been part of my dreams at some point.  Do I have to choose which events to do?  Will anyone even notice me?  Should I even think about it?

I am going to ride my bike tomorrow regardless.

Cheers.

Michaux MTB School

A few months a go while I was in Bangkok, I got an email inviting me to come help coach at a camp in Michaux State Forest aimed at nationals preparation in our very own PA woods this summer.  The goal would be skills and training stuff, and my colleagues Sue Haywood, Cheryl Sornson, Harlan Price and Adam Craig would do the same.  I was honored and obliged, only I was really scared.  I mean, who wouldn't be?  Sue is a multi-time National Champ and 24 hour World Champion, Cheryl and Harlan have each won the NUE 100 miler series overall, and Adam is an Olympian and National Champion.  I am me... and I kind of suck.

I stressed a lot over what I would teach.  I mean, I REALLY THOUGHT HARD.  I wanted my sessions to leave an equally lasting impression on the riders as sessions from the other coaching whom IMO carry much more weight than I.  I went out and gave some skills clinics and took video or myself and other, breaking down successful movements for appropriate execution, which was a great start.  Then I went back to my physics and biomechanics stuff and decided how to communicate skills in those terms.  I was ready..kinda.

We went out on Friday in beautiful sunny weather with perfect PA dirt.  I had my summer gloves on and even felt a little sweat from the happy sun shining down on us.  We did a few hours of ripping good trail then went to a good little loop to teach some skills.  We ended the day with a cool little drop-off sessioning and some yummy chili.  Good day.

We woke up the next day and got right to the skills.  I had over 24 riders cycle through my sessions, and I saw improvements in them all.  We did see one injury which was pretty scary for me, but it looks like he will be OK.  I am interested to check back in with him.  That night I gave my ACSM presentation from the regional conference and we took questions from all the riders afterward.

It was a great experience and everyone was receptive and willing to learn.  Now you all have to crush Nationals!!!  I hope to come back again.

Set aside ten minutes to write and that time is up.
Laterzz.

East Coast Vert

 Spring break was fast approaching and I needed to plan something radical quick.  I wanted mountains, dirt, friends and speed, but wasn't feeling the obligatory dirtbag California hostel-based mtb trail seeking again.  I called up my friend Harlan Price to see if he wanted to head south and maybe check out Pisgah.  East Coast Vert was born.

 The idea was simple: scour the east coast for the best descents, get video and elevation profiles, then share it with the world.  Our argument is that the east coast is underrated in the US as far as length, speed, tech, fun and vertical drop when compared to the over-promoted west coast stuff (not that west sucks!).  It would be a yearlong project, but we could start down south in [relative] warmth and get a good feel for where the project could go.  Plus, we could actually start training for our 2013 racing seasons.  Yeah, good idea.

We left last sunday and stayed with friends, most of whom would be new to me.  Man, the MTB community rules and I love the people!  Each day we were shown the trails each locale held nearest and dearest to their gravity-oriented hearts.  It was so cool to feel different dirt and get a sense for each guide's definition of a good ride.  My favorite trails were Kitsuma and Heartbreak Ridge in Pisgah- SO FAST and a massive loss in elevation, great views and a priority on being smooth and 100% committed.  But Georgia was cool, too.  And then that one trail in that one place we rode when it was pouring down rain?.  Oh, and the nine-mile private descent crossing two states?  Yeah, can't forget the gem we found in Tennessee either.

The cool part about riding with Harlan is that we have similar skill and goals, but each excel in different things.  It was an absolutely frightening combination and there were times I didn't think we would live.  Seriously.  We pushed each other and both walk away faster, smoother and with tired, bruised bodies smelling of good embrocation and like a car full of old shoes.

We took video as our own videographers, which ended up being pretty stressful.  The end product should be pretty cool.  Interest has grown and sponsors are stoked!  Follow us on Facebook.  You can win stuff and support a cause.

 I decided to end the trip with a Super D race in Tuscarora, PA.  I've grown reasonably comfortable running trails fast and blind and figured I'd do it for the race.  Eh... I discovered next time I gotta preride and that I'm not confident going down straight, steep, snowy trails!

 This new bike really fits what I am trying to make bicycles do lately: ride trails and ABSOLUTELY SHRED!  The weather has been not too great and left us with slime for the last several days, but all things you have heard about Trance X 29 are true.  It's really light as well- about 25 pounds with a modest winter build.

Also wanted to share these dope new shoes from Northwave- the Striker Carbon 5.  I really never want to get them dirty...

Cool.  I'm going for a jog.

Holiday in Cambodia

Back from bike touring.  It was absolutely radical, though coming home was not.  6 weeks of 90 degree sun and 30-40 hours of saddle time during each one.  Sheesh!  Glad we tested the fitness before and stoked to see what has changed since!  My tan is great, but I have decided that ten years of evening out the same lycra shorts line is enough and will set out to destroy any semblance of a bike-geek lederhosen once it is warm again.  Uploading photos here seems to become less user-friendly every day, but I leave this lovely gem from Cambodia that pretty much sums up the trip: beautiful/ugly; happiness/sorrow; bike-touring.

Last post of 2012?

Halfway done with grad school.  Sure has been awesome.  It got pretty stressful there at the end, but we made it through.

 I've been logging some serious lab time.  This has been partly for academia, partly as my job, but mostly because it is awesome.  Tested Seamus the other day- he suffered like a dog.

 Then it was my turn.  3 weeks and only two rides.  Operation detraining worked, but we got some good starting numbers.

 Then I laid it all down in front of the camera.  The documentary short should be pretty awesome once it's all said n done

 Me whip all finished (sans bags) and ready for 40 days in SE Asia

Going to miss Christmas,

but we should have a good blowout on a sunny beach or jungle somewhere to ring in the new year.

It's been real.

(Just by chance we don't come back in one piece.)

*click on twitter guy for updates*

signed, sealed, delivered

The 2012 race season is done.  It has been a long one.  Man, over 30 days of racing in the past ten months.  The most travel I have ever done.  Lots of good races and some pretty bad ones.

Came into the year planning to race primarily stage races.  Got one out of the way with a top-10, then found enduro.  Stuck with that and was completely absorbed into the scene.  I've had crap break, crappy legs, lack of motivation and some injury.  Then I've had really good days, beat heavy hitters and had the most fun ever.  It's been so good.

Last weekend was spent in SC racing Cranksgiving Super D and Enduro.  It was rad.  Rode 7 hours the day before the race, mistakenly, all in the name of getting to know the course.  Wasn't ideal, but felt everything had to be seen and it was the only chance.  Felt fast for all the races, but wasn't pedaling at my greatest.  My descending has gotten even better, but the body is tired.  6th both days.  Not bad, but not my proudest riding.

I'll ride a couple times in the next few weeks- only because we have Pisgah in the mix and a nice group ride tomorrow.  That's all.  Will be busy finishing up the first half of grad school and packing for 6 weeks touring from Thailand to Vietnam.

Cool.

Hate on, haters.

Review: 2012 Giant Anthem X 29er

So I've been on the bike for several months now and finally feel I am able to give it the review it needs.  I've used it for everything from XC and Stage Racing to gnarly Enduros straight down the face of mountains.  We've reviewed the 26 inch bike from last year, but I am now dependent on big wheels.  Here goes.

Right off the bat, let's get weight out of the way; for some reason this is the most important part of a bike to many people.  While I don't sit in this train of thought, the frame is pretty light- with XX build and some lightweight Stan's Race Gold 29er wheels, she sat at 23 pounds.  Right now it's in full enduro mode at 27 pounds with 29er DH tires (Hans Dampf!) and Stan's Arch EX wheels.

 Ok, now let's talk about what matters:

Suspension: baller.  Yes, everything you heard about Maestro is true- pedals well, suspension feels like it will go on forever and it's active under braking.  Not any flex to really talk about.  My suspension bearings and bushings have been through hell and back without a single gripe.  Rides like a suspension bike should and in my mind has no weaknesses on that front.

Maestro on 29: Yes it seems like a big bike.  Maybe it is?  But it never feels like it.  Sure it has that 29er feel, which many people like.  Yes it has all the benefits of a 29er.  Cool, check.  Maybe you are a hardtail 29er guy or gal?  Unless you spend 95% of your ride time standing, you needn't be a hardtail person.  This will offer more fun and control along with better energy management.  Don't worry about the added few pounds or minimal extra maintenance, they are worth it during every second of riding.

 Geometry: A 100mm SID up front was great for XC (this kept everything as it was meant to be).  It handled like an XC bike should, but I still used it to win enduros.  The 140 Revelation slacked it out a bit and raised the bottom bracket turning the bike into a trail eating machine at high speeds down double black diamond DH runs.  Not even so much as a peep from her and it was totally in control.  With the Trance X 29, we now have shorter chainstays.  I'm interested to get on it, but have nothing to complain about with the Anthem's 18.2 inchers.

For the love of everything good and fun, put a dropper post on it!  They don't weight that much more, but will increase your ability to handle the bike exponentially.  I don't plan to ever run a normal post unless I am racing on the road.  And I don't do that.

 OD2: I'm not a big guy and am not sure how much of a difference it makes when compared to regular tapered steerers.  That being said, it isn't any heavier and finding a stem isn't much more difficult.  I leave it when I can, but switching the top cup and bearing will let you run a standard tapered fork.

Robustness: First this will come with a disclaimer: I am not a big guy.  OK.  But yes, she has held up amazingly.  4-5 foot drops? No problems.  The most ridiculous trails ever and not touching the brakes? Smooooth.  Boxing it up and flying across the country- no issue.  Jumps?  It's not a DJ bike, but I've seen guys with this bike at the local pump track slamming in to stuff...

It's awesome.
Post here if there's anything else you wonder about.

up swing?

Presented my study this past weekend.  It was a pretty big conference, my first.  My abstract will be published.  Great start and a good way to get ya fired up to push the envelope in the classroom.  Been loving grad school and working in the lab.  Love it. 

One more race this year in less than two weeks somewhere warmer.  It's going to be great and I'm in it to win it.  Also been doing quite a bit of filming lately.  Should be a cool finished product; they know what's up.

And if that's not enough, about to pull the trigger on a nice exotic six-week bike tour in SE Asia.

I guess when things are up they are up?

Parking lot mishaps.

Tasteless, I know, but just because your pet goes in the woods you aren't automatically off the hook...

the internets

braap

stoke

poke

steep

marlin

peeper

brodeo

Chasing the Scene: Highland Overmountain Enduro

Following the timing fiasco up at Burke, I started to wonder.  Were the results right?  Do I really suck at going down hill on a bike?  Has riding my STP once a week been helping my enduro racing?

We loaded up Chris' truck Thursday afternoon and had a 12mpg brodeo all the way to Dave's in S New Hampshire.  Quick sleep then wake up to preride.  It was raining.  Then pouring.  We had Friday afternoon lift service all day at Highland, and before you knew it, we had ridden all day and had a million runs.  Felt dialed on Stage 1 and didn't care too much for or about Stage 2 and its fresh-cut dirt. Stage 3 was gnarly, and curiously, walking practice only.  Dinner at a busy restuarant, then I bought some ear plugs for our packed guest room that sat right at the bottom of the mountain (Which I was stoked for! Thanks HP!).

Race day was beautiful.  Perfect, actually.  A 60 degree NE day in late October; tacky mud; good people.  When it was all said and done, I rode OK all day- didn't crash, legs felt good.  You always look back and think about how much brake you rode, but I suppose that's part of the learning process.  There's was super minimal pedaling in each stage, so I figured it was one for the downhillers.  Top 10 seemed optimistic, but I was hopeful, even with the talent that was there.

6th was a reasonable result.  Still lots of practicing to be had, but not until after I take a few days and not touch my bike.  Then it'll be dirt jumps, some video and some fun fixed-gear miles.  Maybe a grass race?

Pics exist.  Post soon.

Womp womp...

The experience I had as a whole at the Burke Mountain Kingdom Enduro in Burke, VT was pretty good; they had amazing trails, excellent course marking, happy promoters and good people.  However I couldn't be more UNHAPPY about their timing for the race. 

First complaint: timing only to every ten seconds.  This meant the closest you could be to the next fastest person without the same time is ten seconds.  This is an absolute atrocity in races that come down to split seconds.
Second complaint: They misplaced my start time for Stage 2.  I talked with the timer, he did some finagling and came up with a time that could be mine, but there was no way to be sure.  In my opinion, the final stage results are screwy as well.

I drove solo 800 miles and 15+ hours round-trip for this race.  I slept in my car for a night and paid a good amount to compete in this race- all for a solid result.  I am sad that this happened firstly because CJ and the crew really had their stuff together; undoubtedly a ton of man hours went into the running of this race.  I am further bummed because I have committed a lot of resources and time to tackle all east coast enduro races for myself and for my team.

I understand mistakes happen.  I also realize the promoters were unhappy with the timing as well.  And with all this being said, I will be back to the Burke Enduro next year with promises of different timers. 

Looks to be a bit chilly up north, but I can't pass on a chance shred some really really good trails.

KOM Enduro, Mountain Creek Bike Park

Man, these things keep getting cooler!  Two days, lift access, mass start stages, climbing primes, black diamond dh and some good old fashioned everyday singletrack.

It was recommended to me by the man behind the scenes that I get a bigger bike by the time KOM rolled around.  I didn't, but supposed a 140mm 2013 Rockshox Revelation (solo air, totally rules) slapped on the front of my Anthem X 29 would help.  It did, and I'm glad I did.

Three stages on day 1, one of them being mass-start.  I totally blew that one after making a wrong turn, but was warmed up enough after climbing back up to take the sprint for climber's prime against Harlan as we transferred to stage 2.  First time I was ever recognized for my 'climbing ability'.  After an XC stage and some green dh, we were all stoked!  It was rad!  I set out to re-do stage 1 in deplorable conditions along with 20 other guys, and we scrubbed our brake pads to metal while everyone else pre-rode for the next day.  Met some new friends and crashed on their couch; couldn't even keep my eyes open after ten pm.

Matt DeLorme photo on vitalmtb.com

 

Day 2 was 'pro only,' and absolutely the limit at which I will comfortably ride an XC bike.  Day 2 also had lots of jumps.  I have been working on it, but still CANNOT jump, this was saddening as I watched everyone jump away from me during my recon the next morning.  Fortunately for me, they were all roll-able, which I did.  Was hoping to simply salvage fourth, but the last stage was a bike-eater; kept mine intact and moved up to the podium in third after two final exhilarating race runs!

Matt DeLorme photo on vitalmtb.com

Lenosky won.  Even though he may be two Matts and a trials guy, he climbs really well, and I haven't seen the hunger to win in anyone like that for a long time.  Plus STRAVA told me he had been doing his homework.  I was happy to see him do it.  It's also great to see some new guys bursting onto the blossoming east coast enduro scene.  Don't be surprised to see some new faces kicking butt!

Totally fun event and I'm stoked to see the format grow! 
I really need to work on dirt jumps.  And watching course markings.

I understand arm pump after bombing down a mountain, but is it normal to get foot pump?

Whoa.  Wow.  That was cool.  Arm pump, foot pump and that all-too-familiar sensation of needing to vomit.  KOM Enduro was great, story soon.