Burn 24 Hour Challenge - Wilkesboro, NC

To start, my knees hurt, my back hurts, my legs hurt, I'm still a little off due to lack of sleep, and my rear dearilleur is destroyed. I love it! This race was so much fun. There were over 200 racers, a large lake, unlimited free Burn energy drink, camping, lots of dogs, spectators, and just friendly, helpful people. Oh and did I mention the sweet 6.25 mile single track?

As this was my first 24 hour race, I was not sure what to expect. Was I going to survive? When would I sleep? Did I bring enough food? Will there be any good looking girls there?

In short, yes on all occasions. We didn't leave L-burg till almost 8 Friday night after some of the guys got off work at the bike shop. After the long drive and a stop for a Mexican dinner we made it to the W Kerr Scott reservoir around 12 midnight. We then proceeded to pitch our tents in the dark and immediately crash. Note to self: the $70 dollar Thermarest sleep pad will be well worth the money for the next 24 hour race. This being the case, 7 am was the latest I could sleep on the hard ground. My sleeping bag is awesome though, I was plenty warm and comfortable in it. After a healthy breakfast of oatmeal and other such items, we began the day. There were a total of 10 of us in our camp and another camp of 10 or so more that we new from the Burg. Basically the two bike shops in the area were represented and despite the slight bit of animosity between the two, much fun was had by all. In the end, the fact that we are all having a great time on a bike is all that matters.

The race began at 12 noon on Saturday with Dave Thilking running the Le Mans style start for us to%2

Central Virginia Bike Festival

After waking up bright and early at 6 am today, we ate some breakfast and headed on over to the Forest Medical Center for the starting area of the big Metic Century Ride of the Central VA Bike Fest. That was all pretty standard. We got there, got ready and met up with some buds and headed out at about 7:40.

Here's a shot of Luke dawg getting ready.

We left the center with Brandon and Pat, who we later lost when, as usual, I took a wrong turn. Though, I figured out my mistake and we caught up not too much later on. The ride took us down Old Cifax and up Charlemont and on to a lot of back roads that eventually brought us out onto 501 and then to the parkway. This parkway ride of course included the might thunder ridge. This was my frist time up the ridge and it was crazy, but I survived. The super fast and fun downhill was well worth me getting dominated on the way up. The picture shown here is what it looks like from the top of Thunder Ridge. I didn't take my camera on the ride today. I took this picture back in October when I was out in my RX-7 one day. It's absolutely gorgeous and every second of the ride made me love cycling all that much more. Well, save for the last 15 minutes of the ride when I was spent, hah!

I took my i-pod with me today and rocked out to an awesome mix that I felt really made a difference. I was more in "tune" with my riding and of course......more "pumped."

One of my favorite parts was the descent from the base of Sharp Top coming down 43. I maxed out my bike at 43 mph flying through all those tight turns. It was scary, but a great thrill and of course, time to relax some and let my muscles regenerate before all the rolling hills to make it back to the finish.

I really do enjoy riding my road bike. Granted, it is not as thrilling as a mountain bike ride, but it is so peaceful and satisfying to be out there on such a nice day as today amongst all the beautiful views that Viriginia has to offer. I wish I could have taken some action shots, but I hope that some of the official pictures will be posted on the site soon and I can get some of those. www.cvbikefestival.com

Anyways, it was awesome. All in all the ride was 63 miles, 4.5 hours, and a lot of climbing! Right now I am incredibly tired, my knees hurt and my body is totally sore. I wouldn't trade it for a second. I always feel so comfortable and at peace when I'm riding my bike. For now though, I'm gonna get really comfortable in my bed and crash.

Next up: Burn 24 Hour Challenge in Wilkesboro, NC.

My Team:
Luke
Dave
Eddie
and me.....yesss

Later on!

Jake

Goofing Around

So, not every ride has to be super hard core. Today Luke and I just kinda "goofed around" at Candler's. We did hit some good climbs and downhills but we didnt ride for very long. Just wanted to hit on a little exercise and be outside. Thats always the best, do a little riding to cleanse the craziness of the day that is work, come home, eat a lot of food and watch my favorite show...Scrubs.



We did stop for a bit at Bald Spot, which is always a nice view.

Facing Fears

Today marked quite the milestone in my mountain biking career. Armed with my new Trek circuit shorts and the amazing shammy inside them, and of course with quite a bit of mental assitance from my brother Lucas, I set out to attack my arch nemessis.

The long log bridge at Candler's mountain. OK OK, I realize that most of the actual riders reading this will think me a wimp for not being able to attempt this. I just psych myself out each time somehow. Riding the short one is no problem, but the long one....well I just needed practice. Today I got it.

Here is a picture of the bridge for those who are not familiar, or even those who are:

The picture hardly does justice to the bridge. Though I do realize that people much cooler than me are riding obstacles much harder than this. I'm getting there....

After two failed attempts, and my younger brother, as usual, making fun of me. He was able to psych me up enough to do it. The best part was, I didn't fall off the side and take the plunge down the horrendous three feet drop to the creek below. Looking back on it, I don't see why it was such a big deal. Very similar to building up the courage to speak to a pretty girl...


....I'm still working on that one.

Anywho, here is hot pic of me dominating the bridge.

Jake 1 - Bridge 0 - Well, that is, of course, if you aren't counting the 300 points the bridge accumulated against me before today. I vote we go with the clean slate points starting today.....don't you?

I also snapped a quality shot of Luke, and though his face is not in the picture, I think it makes for an excellent computer background. Especially when I use my amazing photo-editing skills and invert the picture. It is a highly technical process of clicking the invert, and sepia buttons on my photo studio software that came with my computer. But, whatever, it looks cool hah!

In closing I would like to say, that mountain biking is the greatest sport ever and it really has changed my life. The people involved are so incredible, and how could anyone ever beat being outside, having a blast, and getting exercise at the same time. Its awesome.

One last picture just for fun. My brother, my keeper.

Keep it real, and keep on riding folks. See you out there.

Sunday is the Metric Sentry........I havn't done much road bike discussing on here. Well, I will after that.

The Jake.

Sweet Picture

This is very fitting for me I would say. Thought you guys would maybe enjoy.

Excellent Weekend

I realize that this has little to do with cycling but Lindsay and Matt both graduated from JMU saturday! Congratulations to both of them! The ceremony was very nice, and it was outside so we could also enjoy the beautiful weather on Saturday. Afterwards Matt's family was nice enough to have everyone to their time-share at Massanutten. Great food and drinks and as usual, a humor-filled afternoon with all of the Browns and Painters, and Mr. and Mrs. Cocke!

Hey look!, It's Matt and Lindsay the grads!

And hey, it's Amanda and Jason!

I left there around 4 pm and headed to Blacksburg, for a late night of debauchery was upon us. Chris Derzack, an old roommate and great college friend of mine is to be wed this summer and it was time for the old bachelor party. A most excellent and crazy night in great Blacksburg town was had by all, and it was great to see everyone!

Dude!

Since I was gone for all of Saturday and most of today, and since today it has been pouring down rain I didn't do any riding this weekend. The rain is good though, things were starting to dry out around the parts!

I did however fool around with that picture of my bike and made this:

I think it makes for a nice destop background.

I'll be riding this week though! Tuesday night ride at Peaksview and prolly some Candler's action on Thursday. Oh and road on Saturday of course.

Later on,

The Jake

The Lone Rider

Now that it seems my recent attempt to create a random blog was little more than futile, I have decided to go about making this purely about cycling and other related suchnot. This way, I will most likely actually have something to talk about.

Since I have much traveling to do this weekend, (my cousin Lindsay and her awesome boyfriend Matt are both graduating from JMU!! Congrats!), I wont be able to spend very much time "in the saddle." I wanted to take this evening to get in a decent ride.

I headed on over to ride good ole Candler's mountain. Now that "big Jerry" pretty much runs the show in Lynchburg, the CVMA has to call the LUPD to let them know we will be riding, that we are with the club and how many people. It honestly isn't a big deal, its just weird cause each time I call, the herb who answers the phone pretty much has no idea what is going on. Kinda cracks me up actually.

So the ride was pretty standard for the most part, except I don't really love riding at Candler's by myself, in the event of course that I dominate myself against a tree flying down one of the sweet downhill sections. It's also great to have some companionship on the ride. I was supposed to meet Eddie there, however there may have been some miscommunication and Ed didn't make it. No sweat, I'll catch up with him next time, and of course definitly at "Burn" since he is on my team.

All in all it was most excellent, a day on the bike is always a good day. There seems to be quite a bit more erosion on some of the trails this year, however, and some parts were somewhat frustrating. I also need to somehow acquire the gonads to ride the second (longer) log bridge. The short one is no problem, but the long one freaks me out. I think its the five foot drop and rocks below that really get to me. Don't worry, I'll be riding it no problem here in the next few weeks.

The two-niner did well today, as it always does.



Last weekend rocked! I dominated 55 miles on the road bike Saturday, and some kick ass Sunday mountain biking. Im definitly getting in as much training as I can, so I can survive some of these races I would like to do this summer!


^^ I didn't take this picture. Someone else much cooler than I did. Fun race too, I'll be doing it again next year, only next time it will be the 6 hour solo - yesss.

Welp, for now I am out. I hope to have some more up soon. As for the O-Hill Melt Down, I dont know how well I did since I had to skip out before they really showed how everyone finished, and they seem to be quite slow at posting any results. Either way it was fun...hard.....but fun.

Note: I also got owned by both Jeremiah Bishop and Sue Haywood at that race, I am proud to say. There were a lot of really cool riders who came out, it was a pleasure to ride with all of them.

Up Next: Central VA Bike Fest - Metric Century Road Ride - 63 miles - May 20
*This includes Thunder Ridge - *Gulp*



Anyways take it easy everyone, enjoy the spring. Though we could use some rain.

Jake

**Disclaimer - all spelling issues will be disregarded since it is generally late when I write this, I am tired, and just typing away.