Pre-Race Rain.

Rain. Seems to be a virtual staple of this years MTB season... Sunday's BAF at Birch was no exception. It poured just prior to start making the course, which was in good condition, a sticky, greasy mess... I guess that's what semi-slicks are good for. Some smart folks quickly changed to more reasonable rubber. Good times! After the race... well, i guess there's no more need for rain, so it was pretty darn nice. go figure.

Falcon Lake Race damage inventory?

So I've been to the various LBS(s) recently trying to round up all the parts I need to bring my bike back to life after the beating it took in last week's race at Falcon Lake. I hear that a lot of folks have had serious breakdown issues... lots of trips to the LBS, anyone care to share their damage inventory?

Here's Mine.
-seized bottom bracket. Looked for new bearings, ended up replacing.
-disk brake pads (front). Worn down to the calipers. Replaced.
-seized rear hub. Disassembled. Looked for new bearings. They are on order.
-seized chain tensioner bearings. Replaced.
-sad and unhappy Eggbeater SL's. Disassembled, removed corrosion, reassembled.

A good amount of work, but I'm a better bike mechanic because of it!

Doesn't Get Much Sweeter!

Falcon Swamp'O'Rama 2010

What a world cup course looks like? Perhaps not, but it does appear to be relatively common for the Canadian Shield, especially after nearly a month of rain. You have Precambrian Granite... and water... and a little mud and grass in between. I think it's something pretty special. Not fast-moving by any stretch of the imagination. When I rode the Mantario trail years ago it took me 19 hours to cover the 61km (with huge backpack). The latest installment of the Falcon lake race saw it all- 50-meter long swamps, waterholes with sharp rocks, former grassy trails reduced to a bowl of thai soup, and virtually unrelenting rock hopping with a few meters of fire road to stave off the suicidal thoughts. Double the trials of last-year's mud-O-rama. For sure. Remember the Swamps of Sadness from the "Never Ending Story"? Now imagine that your bike got very, very sad and sank all the way in... with you on it. There you go.

To sum up... It was AWESOME. Seriously fun. No world cup course... but FUN. A real Manitoba SPECIAL. Oh yeah, i should also say that it was also HELL. But sometimes HELL is...well...FUN. Maybe that's why I choose to do this in the first place.:)

Wet and Slippery

I had a great time with the FGBC Spring Ride this weekend at Falcon Lake. Good times all around, despite a wack load of rain to make the trails into a soppy, slippery mess. Friday we rode all afternoon at the Falcon Trails, then Saturday at Ingolf. I forgot how awesome the riding is here (especially when you're not lost!). One of the best examples of Shield riding out there! Luckily nearly all of the 21 riders escaped without serious injury, a few swollen hands, sore backs, and bloody knees pretty much summed up the damages (minus Graham's harrowing experience). Other than that there was a tone of water (up to a foot deep or more at times) and lots of slick rocks and slippery roots great for improving both one's patience and technical skills. Lots of do-overs, endos, rock slides, and hilarious mud hole attempts. The evening included great conversation, food, beer, zombies, and a 911 call for Graham. Read here for the official account (expected soon).