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Long Sock Classic: THIS SATURDAY!

[ 0 ] May 16, 2013

longsockpicThis Saturday, May 18, the second round of the XCMarathon Cup MTB series will be flying through the Ganaraska Forest just 1 hour from Toronto. A perennial favourite with long flowing sections of single track and fast double track, this new-for-2013 course will provide the perfect test for the current Apogee Leaders Jersey holders, who are all planning to race in defence of the Jersey.

The 32k route will be ridden once for the Half-Marathon and twice for the full Marathon, passing a stocked neutral feed-zone every 16k. Pre-riding is now open as the course is provisionally marked for the weekend. Participants will be racing and riding for a great collection of prizes and draw prizes from Norco Performance Bikes, King Brewery and Joyride 150.

Still not sure if this is for you? After riding a 32k course with over 500 arrows guiding you through the trails, there is a BBQ for everyone. Giant Bicycles Canada will be there with their test fleet of 2013 mountain bikes. There will also be a free kids race at 10:30 before the big kids head out on the big lap.

Ride or race, this weekend at the Ganaraska forest. Pre-registration is now closed but race day registration is open until 10 for the marathon and 10:20 for the half marathon races.

For more details and registration visit www.XCMarathon.com.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at info@substanceprojects.com

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Brian Matter: Pre-Trans-Sylvania Epic Interview

[ 0 ] May 14, 2013

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Earlier today, xxcmag.com had the chance to talk with racer Brian Matter about the upcoming  Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic stage race (TSE for short), which is set to begin on May 26th.

You are most noted for racing cross and dominating the WORS (Wisconsin Off Road Series), is this your first foray into mountain bike stage racing?

Yes, the Trans-Sylvania Epic will be my first mountain bike stage race.

What attracted you to the Trans-Sylvania Epic?

The TSE just sounds like an amazing event. Every year the event sounds amazing and this year I couldn’t resist. All sorts of friends have raced it and they couldn’t stop raving about the best mountain bike weekend of the year, so I’ve got to go check it out for myself. This year I wanted to do a few new things and change it up a little. So I did Sea Otter which I haven’t done in over 10 years, the Whiskey 50 for the first time, the Trans-Sylvania Epic and I’m hoping to do mountain bike Nationals which I haven’t done in a long time also. Plus you can’t count out the fact that I’m a Steelers fan, my dad went to Penn State University, and PA is just a cool place.

How are you preparing for the more technical riding of Pennsylvania, The trails in the mountains of PA differ somewhat to the (mostly) buff singletrack found in the midwest? (I believe I saw on your blog that you were getting freaky on a Trek Fuel EX 9 out in Arizona a few months back, was that “PA rocks preparedness training?” ha!)

Rocks! I can’t wait to rip some technical trails! I really like technical mountain bike racing and there is not that much in the midwest. I come from the old school days of NORBA racing at Mt. Snow, Vermont, Snowshoe, West Virginia and Seven Springs, Pennsylvania… I’m really looking forward to the technical challenge. It was probably when I couldn’t get enough of the amazing trails down in Tucson that I started thinking about the TSE. Day after day after day of ripping on the FUEL EX and having a blast was probably what sealed the deal! I also decided last minute to do the WEMS (Wisconsin Endurance Mountain Bike Series) last weekend at the Northern Kettle Moraine Forrest (see XXC’s coverage here). It’s pretty rocky out there so I went for it and had some good times on the new Superfly 100 over some wet rocks and roots.

How, if at all, have you altered your training as you prepare for the TSE and does it differ from your normal XC training?

My training has’t changed at all.  I’m usually just doing base miles at this point in the season so the longer time on the bike should be beneficial for the TSE. I will probably spend a little more time on the mountain bike this week.

How important will your focus be on recovery each day?

I’ve done quite a bit of stage racing on the road and most of cross season seems like a big stage race so I know recovery between stages is critical. It all starts with never going too far into the red zone, eating and staying properly hydrated on the bike during the stages.  From there it’s good diet, which I hear TSE does an amazing job with the meal plans, good sleep, lots of stretching, and lots of massage.

Looking at the stages of the TSE, is there any one stage that you have your eye on as being suited for you, or do you just approach them all the same? 

Honestly I don’t know anything about the stages! I’m going into this thing pretty blind right now. Hopefully later in the week I can find some YouTube videos or something. Being a cross racer I do like the distance of the prologue! I’m also planning on bring the Fuel EX for the enduro stage!!!

You also do a bit of coaching with Momentum Endurance, surely preparing and doing a race like the TSE will help you better serve your racers in the future, no?

A lot of my clients do the longer NUE races and some stages races like Crank The Shield. It will definitely be good to have some personal experience doing a long stage race like the TSE.

Any equipment changes in 2013, I believe you are now racing on 29″ wheels, how has that been and will the 29er be your choice for the TSE?

The 29er!  It was probably hyped up a lot that I was one of the last hold outs making the jump to the big wheels. Some rides I think the change is pretty small and then others I think its huge. I guess it really depends on the terrain. I will most likely be riding the Superfly 100 for every stage. I will bring the EX with the extra travel and extra fun for the Enduro stage, but honestly I think the SF100 descends better with the big wheels.  I also think with all the rocks in PA the Superfly 100 will definitely be the bike of choice. I’ll bring my Superfly SL hard tail, but I don’t think I’ll be needing a hard tail.

Other than the TSE do you plan on doing any other stage races this season or maybe make a move into the N.U.E. (National Ultra Endurance) series?

The TSE will be my only foray into the mountain bike stage racing this year. Then it will be back to the normal schedule of WORS, Triple Crown* and cross.

Best of luck to you at the Trans-Sylvania Epic!

*NOTE: Stay tuned to XXC Magazine No. 18 (due out in June) for our special feature on the history of the “Triple Crown” race series (Ore to Shore, Chequamegon 40 and the Iceman Cometh).

Photo: seenbyjordan.com

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WEMS 1: Northern Kettles Endurance Challenge

[ 1 ] May 13, 2013

SONY DSCThe 2013 Wisconsin Endurance Mountain Bike Series got off to a big start on a cold day at the Northern Kettles Endurance Challenge put on by Team Pedal Moraine.  College racer Ben Senkerik of Wheel& Sprocket/Vison led the hopeful 100 mile field onto a slick single-track course that rolled fast through the Kettle Moraine.  All expected that the rain had passed and the sun would soon be drying the slippery rock, but as Senkerik started his second lap with a couple minutes over Ripon College teammate Tony Kautz, dark clouds were already rolling in from the west.  Would the rain hold off, and could a long course rookie ike Kautz, hold off the experienced WEMS veteran Rich Lytle of Team Raspi who was right behind him?

Soon the rains soon did fall with a sudden drop in temperature, and a strong gust was carnage for canopies in the pits.  By lap three the racers were enduring greasy clay in a sleet storm, but still they rolled on, smiling about how weird it was to see those little white pellets falling in their path.  A late spring had these Wisconsin riders well seasoned and ready for anything.

WEMSBBy lap four the sun was out, and although the wind rarely let up and the temperatures never left the forties, conditions improved and actual traction allowed the lap times to drop.  Senkerik continued to extend his lead and even late in the race was able to fend off some snarky surges from seasoned team riders.   He finished the long course in 8:56, a full hour ahead of Kautz who persevered to hold off Lytle by 12 minutes.  The 2013 long course series looks to be a wide open battle between veterans Lytle, Tyler Welnak, David Swanson and 2012 mid-course champ Matt Millin, but a deep group of rookies could surprise everyone by October.  Three-time defending women’s champ Denise Coppock  added another long course win at 11:23.

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Mountain Bike Radio’s own Ben Welnak came home to roll over the 60-mile mid-course event in a blazing 5:10 while 2012 mid-course runner-up Sonni Klipp earned a nice win in the women’s event.  Snow delayed the start of Wisconsin’s short course series so a deep field of racers were eager to test their legs in the 30-mile event at North Kettles.  Nathan Guerra of Vision Pro Cycling flew to the win in 2:16, and Honey Stinger’s Abby Strigel found the speed for a 2:43 win in the women’s event.  WEMS riders will see each other again on June 8th for an energized Stump Farm 100.

Full results can be found HERE.

Words: Chris Schotz
Photos: seenbyjordan.com

 

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Alabama’s First Hundie: The Oak Ass 100

[ 0 ] May 10, 2013

THIS JUST IN

This bit of news just came into xxcmag.com via the digital grape vine….

Chain Buster Racing will be hosting Alabama’s first hundie! The first annual Oak Ass 100 (and 50) will take place on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013. Chain Buster Racing sends out a huge thanks to Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP) and John Karrasch for creating and maintaining this great trails system and race course.

The difference between the Oak Ass 50/100 and the Battle For Oak Mountain is that Oak Ass uses 90% of the trails available at Oak Mountain vs the 10%-15% used by Battle For Oak Mountain.

An “official” GPS track of the course will be be posted next week. More information to come soon, so stay tuned to chainbusterracing.com and bump.org.

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The King Approves

[ 0 ] May 10, 2013

Out of the office scenes

In attempts to lose the extra pounds of fatty slack that now surrounds my waistline, bulges my XXC kit like a pair of Wal-Mart stretch pants in line for the Golden Corral chocolate fountain and slows me down like fat camp escapee making a getaway uphill on a found downhill bike,  I have been forcing myself to get out and do some longer rides on work time (which just translates into working evenings). One of my favorite rides this week was a just under 3 hour road ride that had me finding a totally awesome framed photo of The King (circa on the cusp of Fat Elvis) along the road. “In the ghetto….”

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I also found myself taking a hilly, 2.5 mile, deep gravel connector road to avoid some high traffic roads.

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Let’s just say 25c tires at 100+ psi and a front derailleur that picked a fine time to not want to get into the 34, had me out of the pedals and on my feet for about 50 yards or so up the first hill. Oh well, my butt wanted a break anyway. The downhill was fun of course with only the bare maximum of fish tailing and “oh shits!”

Today’s rain showers have forced me indoors, pushing pixels and dropping words for the next XXC. Back to work, thanks for letting take a break to talk about The King (and my slack rolls).

- Jason

 

 

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Andrea Wilson TSE Journal #2

[ 1 ] May 10, 2013

Andrea Wilson checks in to let us know how things are going as she prepares for the 2013 Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic stage race coming up May 26th thru June 1st. Andrea will be checking in over the next few weeks, during the race and after to give us some insight into racing what is quickly becoming one of the most popular mountain bike stage races in the country. Look for more on xxcmag.com and in the next digital issue of XXC Magazine due out in early summer.

TSE Journal #2 - The Practice Test

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Since arriving home from the Whiskey Off-Road (race report on my blog), I enjoyed a couple of days of recovery and made plans to take a trip up to the previously mentioned Syllamo Trails in Arkansas for several days of hard singletrack riding. However, my plans were thwarted by a nasty weather system moving through the area, bringing buckets of rain and cold temperatures along with it. The Syllamo trails actually hold up well to rain, but the rocks that make up large portions of the trail get treacherously slick when wet- to the point of the risk being greater than the reward. So, I opted to stay home and train on the road (still mostly in the rain, but about 10 degrees warmer than in the Ozarks).

Looking at the schedule my coach (Andy Clark) had laid out was a little bit like starting a long climb. It went like this:

  • 3.5 hrs tempo on Thursday
  • 2x recovery days
  • 4hrs + 8 min interval ramps on Sunday
  • 2hrs + 20 min intervals on Monday
  • 4hrs + 8 min intervals ramps on Tuesday
  • 100miles on Wednesday

I’ve done plenty of those workouts on single or back-to-back days, but it’s been a hot minute since I crammed them all together. It went really well, though. It’s always a great feeling to look back and realize that the average power of the last interval of Tuesday was only 3 watts lower than the first one on Sunday. The century ride on Wednesday was just the icing on the cake… or, judging by how I feel today, the last nail in the coffin (fun, ride-all-day photos on my blog). Thankfully, all I’ve got to do now is take good care of myself, bang out lots of recovery rides & a couple of taper workouts between now and Syllamo’s Revenge (May 18th), and finish the final preparations for leaving soon after for State College, PA.

andrea wilson quoteIn closing I have to mention how lucky I am to not have to have a “real job.” Last year, I quit working as a mechanic in a bike shop in order to dedicate my time to training, recovery, and racing (OK, I do a fair amount of cooking and cleaning, too, but mostly training and recovery). So, honorable mentions go out to Ryan, who actually has a real job that makes the money that pays for everything that the sponsors don’t, roommate “Poolboy” Matt, who also cooks, cleans, pays rent, and mows the yard while I vegetate on the couch, as well as to Amanda Carey, who encouraged me in the first place to quit work and go for it. Training like this is both the most fun and the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.

Andrea Wilson is sponsored in part by Industry Nine, GUEnergy, NimblewearUSA, Maxxis Tires, and Outdoors, Inc. You can read more about her training and racing on her blog brickhouseracing.com and hear her weekly on the mountainbikeradio.com show Just Riding Along.

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The 2013 State of XXC Magazine Address

[ 11 ] May 3, 2013

Over the past couple weeks, posting on xxcmag.com has not been as manic as it could be, should be, and has been. I apologize for this. It is all my fault of course but not without good reasons. OK, PRETTY good reasons.

Basically I have been busy not working hard on XXC Magazine or xxcmag.com because I have been working hard and learning a bunch of behind the scenes stuff that I didn’t know how to do a few weeks ago, along with trying to get some miles in my legs and shed the “I’m gonna start a magazine, it’ll be fun,” induced, beer fueled, weight gain that has made this subpar racer even MORE subpar and racing pretty freaking miserable. Good times…

Actually it has been a good time, ’cause there is a bunch of stuff I hope to have going full force in the coming month or so, some of you may like what I have planned, some you may not, some of you could care less.

Here is the lowdown… (the bad first).

The print magazine and hopes of a printed mag in shops is dead.

Why? There are not enough print readers or interested advertisers to justify the investment, and even if I did invest more money I don’t have, I probably couldn’t charge less than $12 to $15 for the mag and pray that I broke even. Sure, XXC could keep up with the MagCloud issues but basing an entire project’s design on a handful of readers doesn’t make (I feel dirty saying this) “good business sense.” Sorry.

I LOVE print and LOVED seeing XXC in print but until the mag has 50+ pages of full page advertising like you get from the newsstand mags (not that I count them or anything) or people have and extra $15 to spend on a magazine, it ain’t happening’. (Unless I get left a ton of cash from a dead, rich aunt that I didn’t know I had).

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BUT! And this is a big but (not my big butt, but a big BUT), the mag
is NOT going away and is taking on new and better forms.

ONE: I am trying to develop (hopefully with some additional help soon) a responsive web based version of the magazine that will read on desktop, tablet and phone. Since there would be no individual sales to fund content, I am kicking around the idea of a cheap membership (you know like the online “film” sites that keep the Internet going).

Since  publishing of XXC is “fluid” to say the least I am thinking a small fee that would give readers access to all future on-line mags, access to content not available on xxcmag.com or elsewhere and for certain membership levels a t-shirt of your choice and a sticker to put on the back of the family truckster… I don’t know, it’s a work in progress.

Why not just have it free? Well, I would love to, but new software, developer fees, writing and photos cost money. XXC has very few cash paying advertisers to pay for content so I need to ask for something to help pay for it.

TWO: I am also working on, with some pretty good success, an iPad version of the mag that will be available via iTunes and the App Store. Androit users and or Apple haters see #1. Lots of behind the scenes hoops to jump through though. I am really stoked about the possible magazine site and the App. My goal is to NOT to have these merely be digital versions of a print magazine, (something I notice that most cycling mags, and mags in general, are on Apple Newsstand). The chance to incorporate MORE pages, photos, audio interviews and video beyond what is on xxcmag.com is pretty exciting, but daunting to be taking on alone.

THREE: The PDF download will remain. This is how XXC started and for as long as I can see it will remain. Due to download speeds, etc., it will not include the slide shows, videos, audio, etc., but will remain.

XXC Magazine #18 (or should I all it XXC Magazine #1 v.2?) should be ready in June. Stay tuned.

In other news…

XXC is also happy to say that we once again have a copy editor in the house. OK, not actually in the house (more like a big ass lake and a state away) but our friend Derek is going to be making sure XXC’s paid content is up to snuff and doesn’t resemble the grammar atrocities that you see me write (including this diatribe). Welcome Derek, thanks for wanting to be part of XXC Magazine!

Thanks for all the support folks. Stay tuned.

OK, time to work and ride. Or ride than work? Hmmm…

Jason Mahokey
XXC Magazine
xxcmag.com

 

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What The Funk?

[ 0 ] April 30, 2013

Today I got word on The Funk Bottoms Gravel 100 & 200 in Funk, OH. Here are the deetz from the race director:

The 2013 edition of the Funk Bottoms Gravel will feature a 100 and 200 km race. Riders will have the option if riding one lap or two laps. The Funk 100/200 will be on Saturday June 29th at 7:00 at the Funk Bottoms Wildlife observation platform parking lot in Funk, OH. On each 62 mile loop riders can expect paved, chip & seal, gravel, and dirt roads with over 5,500 feet of climbing. Check out funkbottomsgravel.blogspot.com for more information and registration details.
Some cool details on the race…
  • Funk Bottoms events are free
  • Fun is the focus
  • Funk Bottoms events require no racing license
  • All are welcome at Funk Bottoms events

All this funk talk has me thinking Fatboy Slim…

 

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Whiskey Off-Road Day 3

[ 0 ] April 29, 2013
WHISKEY BRIEF
DAY #3
April 28, 2013

Here is some video from Day 3 of the Whiskey Off-Road and the Pro podium spots from Sunday’s race.

Men’s Top 5

  1. Geoff Kabush (Scott-3Rox Racing/Oakley/Shimano) 02:57:37
  2. Jeremiah Bishop (Sho-Air/Cannondale) 03:02:47
  3. Max Plaxton (Sho-Air/Cannondale) 03:04:20
  4. Ben Sonntag (American Interbanc/Cannondale) 03:05:41
  5. Fernando Riveros Paez (Rotor USA) 03:06:28

Women’s Top 5

  1. Lesley Patterson (Scott/2xU/View Hotels) 3:35:21
  2. Katerina Nash (Luna/Orbea/Shimano) 3:37:40
  3. Kellie Emmet (Giant/Sram/Schwalbe) 3:40: 26
  4. Evelyn Dong (White Pine Touring/Smith Optics) 3:44:45
  5. Georgia Gould (Luna/Orbea/Shimano) 3:45:45

For complete Pro results from Sunday’s race click HERE and for more information on the Whiskey Off-Road visit epicrides.com.

Video produced by Godu Productions

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Whiskey Off-Road Day 2

[ 0 ] April 29, 2013
WHISKEY BRIEF
DAY #2
April 27, 2013

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Prescott, AZ (April 27, 2103) – The second day of the 2013 Whiskey Off-Road endurance mountain bike event in Prescott, AZ brought warm temps, added challenge, a stellar concert, and successful pursuits in the Prescott National Forest. The Hi-Health Bike & Wellness Expo saw tens of thousands of visitors, the 25 and 50 proof events brought over 1,700 participants and thousands more spectators for a great day of amateur mountain biking. To top off the day, world-renowned cyclist, Juli Furtado was honored during Cyclcefest presented by the Arizona High School Mountain Bike League. Not to mention a full line-up of music with Arizona’s own Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers headlining the day.

Fifty Proof Podium Results

Open Men Top 5

  1. Kenny Wehn (Stan’s NoTubes/Kenda/Crank Brothers) 3:28:35
  2. Ty Kady (Sho-Air/Cannondale) 03:31:39
  3. Joshua McDowell (Colavita Southwest Cycling/Cottonwood Cycles) 03:31:39
  4. Shawn Bunnin 03:34:25
  5. Rob Mcgee (Blackstar Racing/Rock-n-Road/Specialized) 03:36:25

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Open Women Top 5

  1. Joey Lythgoe (KUHL/Rocky Mountain) 04:09:20
  2. Rebecca Hodgetts 04:16:31
  3. Melissa Ross (Faster Performance Center)04:37:10
  4. Cathy Yndestad 04:55:27
  5. Stephanie Jones (Summit Velo/Ergon) 04:55:46

Singlespeed Men Top 5

  1. Jason Tullous 03:35:43
  2. Hunter Keating (Vassago Cycles) 03:40:47
  3. Kirby Bryant 03:43:38
  4. Jonathan Falkowski 03:44:52
  5. Will Black 03:48:53

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Singlespeed Women Top 5

  1. Melissa Liebling (Chamois Butt’r/Bonk Breaker/Answer Products) 04:33:56
  2. Kaitlyn Boyle 04:40:10
  3. Cathy Watson 04:50:01
  4. Susan Sherman (Showers Pass) 05:16:31
  5. Kimmi Runner (G2Bike/Spoke Grenade) 05:41:55

Full results from the day can be seen HERE.

Stay tuned for the Day 3 update ASAP…

Photos by Devon Balet. Video produced by Godu Productions.

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