[RBW] Re: Un-un-racing update: My first ever mountain bike race

['Mark in Beacon' via RBW Owners Bunch]

Yes, a level playing field. Like when nobody rode with suspension or disc 
brakes. Or when all road races were on steel bicycles with friction 
shifting. Maybe courses are more extreme now, but that's only in response 
to the technology. For some reason it reminds me of car commercials that I 
saw in the superbowl timeslot. Just because we can, doesn't mean we should. 
But theoretical stuff aside, congratulations, Bill, that sounds fun, and I 
bet you are now more bonded with the troops!

https://youtu.be/OmMa4kLj-ZQ

https://youtu.be/0p7NGCmnIAs


On Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 10:54:20 AM UTC-5, Grant @ Rivendell wrote:
>
> The more extreme the course, the more important it is to level the playing 
> field. However, just as a matter of interest, an "exception that proves the 
> rule" kind of thing, about 7 years ago our Mark entered a super rugged 
> 50-mile mtn bike race around (the area of) Lake Tahoe. So--6-7,000 feet, 
> lots of climbs and descents, loose shale-y rocks, rugged by any standard. 
> They almost didn't let him ride his cyclo-cross bike (with 35mm rear tire, 
> 38 to 40mm front, no suspension). He raced in the super competitive 50- ? 
> category, and if you can't predict the conclusion to 
> this...welllconsider the context?
> But yes, the exception. Mark is exceptional...and we steer away from 
> racing bikes, blah blah...while not steering away from racERS.
>
> On Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-8, Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>
>>
>> 
>> I'm a pretty devout unracer.  One of my un-unracing activities is I'm the 
>> volunteer team mechanic for the El Cerrito High School Mountain bike racing 
>> team.  Today's team ride was a non-league race.  It was open to the public 
>> and the kids urged me to sign up.  So, I did my first ever mountain bike 
>> race.  I entered the Sport category, which might have been above my skill 
>> level, but whatever.  The weather was perfect down in Fort Ord, Monterrey.  
>> It was pretty exciting to be in a real racing environment.  Other fellas in 
>> the 45-54 age group tended to gain time on me in the technical turns and 
>> such and the descents, but I was pleased at the ground I'd make up on the 
>> climbs.  I was not last in the Sport 45-54, but was close. I think the kids 
>> all enjoyed that I got after it. Anyway, it was a memorable day on the 
>> bike, and it happened to be a day on the bike that demanded hydraulic disc 
>> brakes and through-axles and front suspension.  There's no way I could have 
>> used a Rivendell, even a hypothetical fantasy Rivendell.  The fact is, 
>> there are bikes out there for most tasks.  Sometimes it's fine to just use 
>> the right bike for the task and enjoy the ride.
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>>  
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Un-un-racing update: My first ever mountain bike race

[Grant @ Rivendell]

The more extreme the course, the more important it is to level the playing 
field. However, just as a matter of interest, an "exception that proves the 
rule" kind of thing, about 7 years ago our Mark entered a super rugged 
50-mile mtn bike race around (the area of) Lake Tahoe. So--6-7,000 feet, 
lots of climbs and descents, loose shale-y rocks, rugged by any standard. 
They almost didn't let him ride his cyclo-cross bike (with 35mm rear tire, 
38 to 40mm front, no suspension). He raced in the super competitive 50- ? 
category, and if you can't predict the conclusion to 
this...welllconsider the context?
But yes, the exception. Mark is exceptional...and we steer away from racing 
bikes, blah blah...while not steering away from racERS.

On Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-8, Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>
> 
> I'm a pretty devout unracer.  One of my un-unracing activities is I'm the 
> volunteer team mechanic for the El Cerrito High School Mountain bike racing 
> team.  Today's team ride was a non-league race.  It was open to the public 
> and the kids urged me to sign up.  So, I did my first ever mountain bike 
> race.  I entered the Sport category, which might have been above my skill 
> level, but whatever.  The weather was perfect down in Fort Ord, Monterrey.  
> It was pretty exciting to be in a real racing environment.  Other fellas in 
> the 45-54 age group tended to gain time on me in the technical turns and 
> such and the descents, but I was pleased at the ground I'd make up on the 
> climbs.  I was not last in the Sport 45-54, but was close. I think the kids 
> all enjoyed that I got after it. Anyway, it was a memorable day on the 
> bike, and it happened to be a day on the bike that demanded hydraulic disc 
> brakes and through-axles and front suspension.  There's no way I could have 
> used a Rivendell, even a hypothetical fantasy Rivendell.  The fact is, 
> there are bikes out there for most tasks.  Sometimes it's fine to just use 
> the right bike for the task and enjoy the ride.
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
>  
>

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[RBW] Re: Un-un-racing update: My first ever mountain bike race

[Scott McLain]

Great job supporting the kids!  

My LBS keeps telling me I need to hit a cyclocross race, but I would be 
fighting to stay out of last place.  Cyclocross sounds much funner if you 
are in CA rather than a cold climate like me.  The big cyclocross race near 
me is called the "Crusher in the Tushar"

http://tusharcrusher.com/

Scott

On Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 8:37:06 PM UTC-7, Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>
> 
> I'm a pretty devout unracer.  One of my un-unracing activities is I'm the 
> volunteer team mechanic for the El Cerrito High School Mountain bike racing 
> team.  Today's team ride was a non-league race.  It was open to the public 
> and the kids urged me to sign up.  So, I did my first ever mountain bike 
> race.  I entered the Sport category, which might have been above my skill 
> level, but whatever.  The weather was perfect down in Fort Ord, Monterrey.  
> It was pretty exciting to be in a real racing environment.  Other fellas in 
> the 45-54 age group tended to gain time on me in the technical turns and 
> such and the descents, but I was pleased at the ground I'd make up on the 
> climbs.  I was not last in the Sport 45-54, but was close. I think the kids 
> all enjoyed that I got after it. Anyway, it was a memorable day on the 
> bike, and it happened to be a day on the bike that demanded hydraulic disc 
> brakes and through-axles and front suspension.  There's no way I could have 
> used a Rivendell, even a hypothetical fantasy Rivendell.  The fact is, 
> there are bikes out there for most tasks.  Sometimes it's fine to just use 
> the right bike for the task and enjoy the ride.
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
>  
>

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[RBW] Re: Un-un-racing update: My first ever mountain bike race

[Bill Lindsay]

First ever cyclocross race is in my future...guaranteed.  All I need to do 
id figure out which bike to bring

On Monday, February 5, 2018 at 12:49:36 PM UTC-8, RJM wrote:
>
> Awesome job, Bill. 
>
> I'm a member of a mountain bike team but don't race mountain bikes...well, 
> I've done some in the past but I like my woods time to be less competitive 
> and more introspective. It's hard work and definitely for those who are fit 
> and have great bike handling skills. Our race team puts on a couple of 
> races a year and I get to volunteer at them, usually cooking, registration, 
> or course marshall. The events are usually quite a bit of fun even for the 
> volunteers. At our events there usually are quite a few people who aren't 
> in it to win it, but still like to get after it and in the end it seems 
> everyone has fun riding bikes. 
>
> Personally, I would do a cyclocross race on a riv, but not a mountain bike 
> race. 
>
> On Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 9:37:06 PM UTC-6, Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>>
>> 
>> I'm a pretty devout unracer.  One of my un-unracing activities is I'm the 
>> volunteer team mechanic for the El Cerrito High School Mountain bike racing 
>> team.  Today's team ride was a non-league race.  It was open to the public 
>> and the kids urged me to sign up.  So, I did my first ever mountain bike 
>> race.  I entered the Sport category, which might have been above my skill 
>> level, but whatever.  The weather was perfect down in Fort Ord, Monterrey.  
>> It was pretty exciting to be in a real racing environment.  Other fellas in 
>> the 45-54 age group tended to gain time on me in the technical turns and 
>> such and the descents, but I was pleased at the ground I'd make up on the 
>> climbs.  I was not last in the Sport 45-54, but was close. I think the kids 
>> all enjoyed that I got after it. Anyway, it was a memorable day on the 
>> bike, and it happened to be a day on the bike that demanded hydraulic disc 
>> brakes and through-axles and front suspension.  There's no way I could have 
>> used a Rivendell, even a hypothetical fantasy Rivendell.  The fact is, 
>> there are bikes out there for most tasks.  Sometimes it's fine to just use 
>> the right bike for the task and enjoy the ride.
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>>  
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Un-un-racing update: My first ever mountain bike race

[RJM]

Awesome job, Bill. 

I'm a member of a mountain bike team but don't race mountain bikes...well, 
I've done some in the past but I like my woods time to be less competitive 
and more introspective. It's hard work and definitely for those who are fit 
and have great bike handling skills. Our race team puts on a couple of 
races a year and I get to volunteer at them, usually cooking, registration, 
or course marshall. The events are usually quite a bit of fun even for the 
volunteers. At our events there usually are quite a few people who aren't 
in it to win it, but still like to get after it and in the end it seems 
everyone has fun riding bikes. 

Personally, I would do a cyclocross race on a riv, but not a mountain bike 
race. 

On Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 9:37:06 PM UTC-6, Bill Lindsay wrote:

>
> 
> I'm a pretty devout unracer.  One of my un-unracing activities is I'm the 
> volunteer team mechanic for the El Cerrito High School Mountain bike racing 
> team.  Today's team ride was a non-league race.  It was open to the public 
> and the kids urged me to sign up.  So, I did my first ever mountain bike 
> race.  I entered the Sport category, which might have been above my skill 
> level, but whatever.  The weather was perfect down in Fort Ord, Monterrey.  
> It was pretty exciting to be in a real racing environment.  Other fellas in 
> the 45-54 age group tended to gain time on me in the technical turns and 
> such and the descents, but I was pleased at the ground I'd make up on the 
> climbs.  I was not last in the Sport 45-54, but was close. I think the kids 
> all enjoyed that I got after it. Anyway, it was a memorable day on the 
> bike, and it happened to be a day on the bike that demanded hydraulic disc 
> brakes and through-axles and front suspension.  There's no way I could have 
> used a Rivendell, even a hypothetical fantasy Rivendell.  The fact is, 
> there are bikes out there for most tasks.  Sometimes it's fine to just use 
> the right bike for the task and enjoy the ride.
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
>  
>

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[RBW] Re: Un-un-racing update: My first ever mountain bike race

[Brewster Fong]

This kind of happened to a friend of mine. He went down to the Sea Otter 
Classic one year and wanted to ride the course. However, he found that the 
"fun" ride was more expensive the entering a race/!  So he entered as a 
racer and figured he sit in the back and enjoy the sights. Well, he 
finished something like 27th out of who knows how many!  He did say it was 
fun and he got to ride the course!  Good Luck! 


On Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-8, Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>
> 
> I'm a pretty devout unracer.  One of my un-unracing activities is I'm the 
> volunteer team mechanic for the El Cerrito High School Mountain bike racing 
> team.  Today's team ride was a non-league race.  It was open to the public 
> and the kids urged me to sign up.  So, I did my first ever mountain bike 
> race.  I entered the Sport category, which might have been above my skill 
> level, but whatever.  The weather was perfect down in Fort Ord, Monterrey.  
> It was pretty exciting to be in a real racing environment.  Other fellas in 
> the 45-54 age group tended to gain time on me in the technical turns and 
> such and the descents, but I was pleased at the ground I'd make up on the 
> climbs.  I was not last in the Sport 45-54, but was close. I think the kids 
> all enjoyed that I got after it. Anyway, it was a memorable day on the 
> bike, and it happened to be a day on the bike that demanded hydraulic disc 
> brakes and through-axles and front suspension.  There's no way I could have 
> used a Rivendell, even a hypothetical fantasy Rivendell.  The fact is, 
> there are bikes out there for most tasks.  Sometimes it's fine to just use 
> the right bike for the task and enjoy the ride.
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
>  
>

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[RBW] Re: Un-un-racing update: My first ever mountain bike race

[Mark Anderson]

>
>
>
On Monday, February 5, 2018 at 11:29:04 AM UTC-6, Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>
> Randonneuring is definitely not racing, but it's definitely not 
> un-racing.  It's not un-un-racing like my mountain bike race this weekend, 
> so perhaps it's un-un-un-racing.  
>
>
Then perhaps you ought to get a rando bike made of unununium.

Too bad the half-lives of Uuu isotopes are all too short for even the 
minimum times on brevets. 

-- 
Mark 'Elemental' Anderson 

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[RBW] Re: Un-un-racing update: My first ever mountain bike race

[Bob Lovejoy]

Excellent work (and fun!) with the mountain bike un-un-race... yes!  That 
said, I am really looking forward to any forthcoming ride reports from the 
Sam brevet.  It will still be awhile before any such thing is possible 
here sigh.

>From the still frozen and now snowy (again) midwest...

Bob Lovejoy
Galesburg, IL


On Monday, February 5, 2018 at 11:29:04 AM UTC-6, Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
> Next weekend is another first.  It will be my 22nd brevet (200k or 
> longer), but it will be my FIRST on a 700c bike.  All my previous 
> brevet-distance RUSA events have been on a 650B bike.  It will also be my 
> first >100 mile ride on my beloved Samuel Hillborne, which seems bizarre to 
> me in reflection.  
>
> Randonneuring is definitely not racing, but it's definitely not 
> un-racing.  It's not un-un-racing like my mountain bike race this weekend, 
> so perhaps it's un-un-un-racing.  
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
>

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[RBW] Re: Un-un-racing update: My first ever mountain bike race

[Bill Lindsay]

Next weekend is another first.  It will be my 22nd brevet (200k or longer), 
but it will be my FIRST on a 700c bike.  All my previous brevet-distance 
RUSA events have been on a 650B bike.  It will also be my first >100 mile 
ride on my beloved Samuel Hillborne, which seems bizarre to me in 
reflection.  

Randonneuring is definitely not racing, but it's definitely not un-racing.  
It's not un-un-racing like my mountain bike race this weekend, so perhaps 
it's un-un-un-racing.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Monday, February 5, 2018 at 8:19:07 AM UTC-8, Jeremy Till wrote:
>
> Yeah, no way you could ever do a MTB race on a Riv.
>
>
> Unless you're Manny*:
>
> https://flic.kr/p/o7M19m
>
> *Please note i am not advocating trying to do this. I once tried to follow 
> Manny (on that bike) down a steep technical descent on my own disc braked, 
> suspension forked hardtail, and ended up in the ER. Good thing Manny, in 
> addition to being a good bike handler, knows how to drive a stick shift.
>
>

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