Getting into race shape

X Ring · 04-15-2004, 08:07 AM

where in CT do you ride, mostly locally. I am not as into mtb as you are but since I cant ride my ATV anywhere leaglly I want to get out on my bike

**I Are Baboon** · 04-15-2004, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by X Ring
where in CT do you ride, mostly locally. I am not as into mtb as you are but since I cant ride my ATV anywhere leaglly I want to get out on my bike

Honestly, the MTB trails in Connecticut are fantastic. Plenty of places to ride with lots of fun terrain. Some places in central CT are at the West Hartford reservoir (good for beginners because of the variety of trails), Case Mountain in Manchester, Middlesex community college, Tyler Mill in Wallingford...plenty of places to choose from. I can get you more information if you'd like. You can also stop in The Cutting Edge or Suburban Sports (two bike shops in Berlin). They might have trails maps.

X Ring · 04-15-2004, 09:02 AM

cool man I will have to check that out sometime. I need to get out and do something. Keep some pics coming when you get them and good luck with your races

**I Are Baboon** · 04-15-2004, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by X Ring
cool man I will have to check that out sometime. I need to get out and do something. Keep some pics coming when you get them and good luck with your races

If you ever want a guided ride sometime, I'd be happy to take you out on some trails.

X Ring · 04-15-2004, 12:07 PM

i appreciate the offer, and might take you up on that sometime but you would kick my ass for sure

**I Are Baboon** · 04-15-2004, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by X Ring
i appreciate the offer, and might take you up on that sometime but you would kick my ass for sure

Eh, don't worry about that. I'm just happy to be outside.

**I Are Baboon** · 04-16-2004, 06:37 AM

I did an 18 mile road ride yesterday. Had to cut the ride short because I getting very cold. I should have dressed warmer. Anyway, I did 18 miles in 1:02. Not bad. There were strong winds and I had to ride head first into some 20-30 MPH winds. THAT sucked. I can feel my legs getting back into mid season shape though. Feels good.

I blew off my shoulders workout this morning because I am a lazy bastard.

Well, no big deal. I was going to have to lay off the weights either today or tomorrow, so I guess it's going to be today. Shoulders workout tomorrow at 6:30 AM.

naturaltan · 04-18-2004, 08:50 PM

here is what I finally bought ...

bandaidwoman · 04-19-2004, 05:28 AM

nice bike naturaltan!

naturaltan · 04-19-2004, 08:04 AM

it will do the trick I think ... I tried the thinking peson's way, looked at various bikes ... talked to many people, and in the end, I just did what I always do ... just buy. I have found that unless one is of a higher caliber, you won't notice or need many of the things you see on the higher end bikes. If I ride enough and decide I need a better bike, I'll deal with that in the future, but for now, I'm happy with this bike.

**I Are Baboon** · 04-19-2004, 04:54 PM

WOO HOO! Congratulations, NT! Now go ride that thing!!!!

**I Are Baboon** · 04-19-2004, 04:57 PM

Quick journal update for me:

I've ridden five days in a row now and my legs are definitely coming back.

Yesterday was a killer: 14 miles/four hours of sloppy, muddy riding. That mud puts a real hurting on the legs. I have not lifted during those five days, but I will hit the weights each of the next three days.

I took today off from work and did a little bit of this (that is me about to land a six foot drop) :

**I Are Baboon** · 04-19-2004, 05:01 PM

One more picture. Here I am crossing a ladder bridge. It's about a foot wide, five feet up.

**I Are Baboon** · 04-21-2004, 01:49 PM

Worked chest and tricpes yesterday.
Worked back and biceps this morning.
Doing a road ride with the wife tonight.

naturaltan · 04-21-2004, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by I Are Baboon
WOO HOO! Congratulations, NT! Now go ride that thing!!!!

I've been riding it to and from the gym. I rode home with my daughter from the bike store. By our house, they have some picnic benches set up. I tossed my bike on their and rode off. My daughter I shouldn't do that because I could get hurt ... I told her if you don't push the limit, you become very bored. She laughed and I was thrilled with riding. I haven't gone a trail yet (only had the bike for a couple of days), but this weekend I will put it to the test. I'm just happy to be biking.

naturaltan · 04-21-2004, 01:53 PM

Great pics!!

Hopefully I'll be doing some of the same

naturaltan · 04-21-2004, 02:12 PM

IAb ... does one need a full suspension bike to ride as you do?

**I Are Baboon** · 04-21-2004, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by naturaltan
I've been riding it to and from the gym. I rode home with my daughter from the bike store. By our house, they have some picnic benches set up. I tossed my bike on their and rode off. My daughter I shouldn't do that because I could get hurt ... I told her if you don't push the limit, you become very bored. She laughed and I was thrilled with riding. I haven't gone a trail yet (only had the bike for a couple of days), but this weekend I will put it to the test. I'm just happy to be biking.

That's awesome!

Riding off picnic tables is fun.

Let me know how the trail riding goes.

Quote:

Originally posted by naturaltan
IAb ... does one need a full suspension bike to ride as you do?

No, actually, but if you are going to do drops and jumps on a hardtail, you need a hardtail frame that is designed for it. There are companies such as Evil Bikes, Sinister, and Endless that make beefy hardtail frames. Using a hardtail for freeriding that is not designed for it will probably break.

naturaltan · 04-21-2004, 02:58 PM

I"m guessing that mine will probably break.

**I Are Baboon** · 04-21-2004, 03:01 PM

It will be able to handle some light jumping, but if you want to really get into it, yeah, it will probably break and you'd need to think about a frame upgrade.

Hardtails are your best choice for XC racing though. I wish I had one for that.

**I Are Baboon** · 04-22-2004, 05:08 PM

I did a 23 mile, 1:29 road ride this afternoon. Averaged 15.2 MPH. Not bad, except for all the damn cramping. My sides were killing me. I chalk it up to early season rustiness.

**I Are Baboon** · 04-22-2004, 05:14 PM

Recent summary of my activity (so I can update my calendar Monday):

4/15: Weights: Back/biceps and road ride in the evening
4/16: MTB ride
4/17: Road ride
4/18: MTB ride
4/19: MTB ride
4/20: Weights: Chest/triceps
4/21: Weights: Back/biceps
4/22: Road ride

Plans for the next few days:

Tomorrow: Weights: shoulders.
Saturday: MTB team ride
Sunday: Road ride

I suppose I should think about a rest day. I'm looking at 11 straight days of some kind of workout. I feel fine though.

**I Are Baboon** · 04-24-2004, 05:43 PM

Well I'm out of commission for a while.

I attempted a five foot drop today that went horribly wrong. I didn't get far enough back in the saddle and didn't have enough speed. I rolled off the drop and did a header five feet into the ground. My back landed on a rock. Hurts like friggin hell right now. I am hoping this will sideline me for a just a week, but we'll see.

Here's a picture of my lower back after the fall. Doesn't look bad, but it's going to leave a bruise that will probably cover my entire lower back.

(notice no flab around MY waist

)

**I Are Baboon** · 04-24-2004, 07:10 PM

Here's the drop where I hurt myself. This is someone doing it correctly.

**I Are Baboon** · 04-27-2004, 06:22 AM

Another recovery day today. I am going to hit the gym tomorrow for some light weights. I am feeling much better today.

X Ring · 04-27-2004, 08:38 AM

man that back doesnt look so great, take care of yourself and thanks for the pictures, give me something to look at during work

naturaltan · 04-27-2004, 12:54 PM

Ouch!

Hey ... do you watch dvds/shows about trial riding? I bought a dvd and wondered how they did the wheelies without pedaling. They hop on the back tire and go from obstacle to obstacle. Can you do this IAB? I thought to myself this morning that maybe they use the back brake and pull the bike back against the braked back tire ...

I will give this a try soon.

We took the bikes out on our first trail ride. It was great. We didn't go as hard or as fast as we'd would have like to because I took my daughter and her friend. We did a lot of cheering as they would come down some pretty steep hills. My daughters friends wasn't as adventerous. We'll have to take some pics next time. One hill was pretty steep. I started down with the back brake on ... slid to a stop just before a big drop ... "nope, not yet and probably not on this bike" I said to myself.

Get better soon ...

btw ... I'm hooked. It was a medicore trail but we really had a great time. And that first beer afterwards can't be beat ..

**I Are Baboon** · 04-28-2004, 06:42 AM

NT, I don't know how the hell those trials guys do the things they do. I enjoy watching those guys more than other type of rider. Their balance and bike handling skills are unbelieveable. I think as far as the wheelies go, they are able to find the center of balance between their bodies and the bike and just ride it. I can't do any of that stuff. I can wheelie just enough when I have to, but I don't practice it. I don't know...I can do drops and stuff while moving, but balancing on my back tire 10 feet up in the air and hopping from point A to point B would scare the piss out of me.

Cool to hear the first ride went well.

That post ride beer always tastes good.

04-15-2004, 08:07 AM	#61
X Ring training to be Goku Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New England Posts: 696	BODYBUILDING SUPPLEMENTS High Quality Supplements For Bodybuilders and Athletes. www.ironmaglabs.com where in CT do you ride, mostly locally. I am not as into mtb as you are but since I cant ride my ATV anywhere leaglly I want to get out on my bike

04-16-2004, 06:37 AM	#67
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	4/16/04 update I did an 18 mile road ride yesterday. Had to cut the ride short because I getting very cold. I should have dressed warmer. Anyway, I did 18 miles in 1:02. Not bad. There were strong winds and I had to ride head first into some 20-30 MPH winds. THAT sucked. I can feel my legs getting back into mid season shape though. Feels good. I blew off my shoulders workout this morning because I am a lazy bastard. Well, no big deal. I was going to have to lay off the weights either today or tomorrow, so I guess it's going to be today. Shoulders workout tomorrow at 6:30 AM.

04-19-2004, 05:28 AM	#69
bandaidwoman inadvertant tree hugger Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 601 Photos: 4	nice bike naturaltan!
	Official Race Member of the Crank Crushing Rednecks Eat more mud, mountain bike until you die! XX Feminine power

04-19-2004, 08:04 AM	#70
naturaltan Going nowhere fast! Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 9,900 Photos: 7	it will do the trick I think ... I tried the thinking peson's way, looked at various bikes ... talked to many people, and in the end, I just did what I always do ... just buy. I have found that unless one is of a higher caliber, you won't notice or need many of the things you see on the higher end bikes. If I ride enough and decide I need a better bike, I'll deal with that in the future, but for now, I'm happy with this bike.
	just kick'in it in the ole Charger

04-21-2004, 01:49 PM	#74
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	Journal update 4/21/04 Worked chest and tricpes yesterday. Worked back and biceps this morning. Doing a road ride with the wife tonight.

04-15-2004, 09:02 AM	#63
X Ring training to be Goku Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New England Posts: 696	cool man I will have to check that out sometime. I need to get out and do something. Keep some pics coming when you get them and good luck with your races

04-15-2004, 12:07 PM	#65
X Ring training to be Goku Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New England Posts: 696	i appreciate the offer, and might take you up on that sometime but you would kick my ass for sure

04-19-2004, 04:54 PM	#71
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	WOO HOO! Congratulations, NT! Now go ride that thing!!!!

04-21-2004, 01:53 PM	#76
naturaltan Going nowhere fast! Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 9,900 Photos: 7	Great pics!! Hopefully I'll be doing some of the same
	just kick'in it in the ole Charger

04-21-2004, 02:12 PM	#77
naturaltan Going nowhere fast! Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 9,900 Photos: 7	IAb ... does one need a full suspension bike to ride as you do?
	just kick'in it in the ole Charger

04-21-2004, 02:58 PM	#79
naturaltan Going nowhere fast! Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 9,900 Photos: 7	I"m guessing that mine will probably break.
	just kick'in it in the ole Charger

04-21-2004, 03:01 PM	#80
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	It will be able to handle some light jumping, but if you want to really get into it, yeah, it will probably break and you'd need to think about a frame upgrade. Hardtails are your best choice for XC racing though. I wish I had one for that.

04-22-2004, 05:08 PM	#81
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	4/22/04 Update I did a 23 mile, 1:29 road ride this afternoon. Averaged 15.2 MPH. Not bad, except for all the damn cramping. My sides were killing me. I chalk it up to early season rustiness.

04-22-2004, 05:14 PM	#82
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	Recent summary of my activity (so I can update my calendar Monday): 4/15: Weights: Back/biceps and road ride in the evening 4/16: MTB ride 4/17: Road ride 4/18: MTB ride 4/19: MTB ride 4/20: Weights: Chest/triceps 4/21: Weights: Back/biceps 4/22: Road ride Plans for the next few days: Tomorrow: Weights: shoulders. Saturday: MTB team ride Sunday: Road ride I suppose I should think about a rest day. I'm looking at 11 straight days of some kind of workout. I feel fine though.

04-24-2004, 07:10 PM	#84
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	Here's the drop where I hurt myself. This is someone doing it correctly.

04-27-2004, 06:22 AM	#85
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	Another recovery day today. I am going to hit the gym tomorrow for some light weights. I am feeling much better today.

04-27-2004, 08:38 AM	#86
X Ring training to be Goku Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New England Posts: 696	man that back doesnt look so great, take care of yourself and thanks for the pictures, give me something to look at during work

04-27-2004, 12:54 PM	#87
naturaltan Going nowhere fast! Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 9,900 Photos: 7	Ouch! Hey ... do you watch dvds/shows about trial riding? I bought a dvd and wondered how they did the wheelies without pedaling. They hop on the back tire and go from obstacle to obstacle. Can you do this IAB? I thought to myself this morning that maybe they use the back brake and pull the bike back against the braked back tire ... I will give this a try soon. We took the bikes out on our first trail ride. It was great. We didn't go as hard or as fast as we'd would have like to because I took my daughter and her friend. We did a lot of cheering as they would come down some pretty steep hills. My daughters friends wasn't as adventerous. We'll have to take some pics next time. One hill was pretty steep. I started down with the back brake on ... slid to a stop just before a big drop ... "nope, not yet and probably not on this bike" I said to myself. Get better soon ... btw ... I'm hooked. It was a medicore trail but we really had a great time. And that first beer afterwards can't be beat ..
	just kick'in it in the ole Charger

04-28-2004, 06:42 AM	#88
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	NT, I don't know how the hell those trials guys do the things they do. I enjoy watching those guys more than other type of rider. Their balance and bike handling skills are unbelieveable. I think as far as the wheelies go, they are able to find the center of balance between their bodies and the bike and just ride it. I can't do any of that stuff. I can wheelie just enough when I have to, but I don't practice it. I don't know...I can do drops and stuff while moving, but balancing on my back tire 10 feet up in the air and hopping from point A to point B would scare the piss out of me. Cool to hear the first ride went well. That post ride beer always tastes good.