Ouachita Challenge Race Report (pre-race adventuring)

This past Friday, Adam, Karen, Agent and I all headed down to Pencil Bluffs, Arkansas to spend some time in the Ouachita Mountains. The main event was to be the Ouachita Challenge mountain bike race. I went down hoping for a top 20 finish, but what I came back with was a lesson in living.

Our travels began with many miles in the car. Goal number one was finding Doritos Burn. Our first stop left us chasing a behind production chip manufacturer. Adam contemplated that we would probably find said Doritos in some "small town in Arkansas." More on that story later.

We arrived at our campsite at the Ouachita River Haven around 7pm CST on Friday. We got the tents all set up and got ready for dinner. I could not imagine a better place to camp and hang out. This is my third time camping at this spot, and the owners are by far the closest thing to family you could imagine. On site firewood, grills, showers, you name it. I know that isn't really camping, but when it comes to camping for races, it sure makes a difference to have a hot shower.

We sat around and drank a couple of beers and enjoyed our surroundings. We knew Saturday was going to require some traveling to pick up essentials either forgotten, or at least a meal depending on the weather. The next day we rode some sweet gravel and cruised the trails near the campsite. After riding and chatting with some guys camping and racing the next day we headed towards Boxer's Crystals and Hot Springs.

Boxer's was a no brainer for a stop. We needed more race crystals, and little did I know how much I needed them for the following day. I shudder to imagine how my day would have unfolded if I hadn't had two new race crystals. Either way both Adam and I received two (count them two) new race crystals from Boxer. I would elaborate more, but it would blow your mind.

We headed towards Hot Springs in hope of finding supplies. We went to Wal-Mart and picked up a comforter for Karen and Adam (and Agent), and then were in search of food. We spoke to our cashier Heaven (I wouldn't make it up if I could) who said that there wasn't anything good in Hot Springs at all. We didn't believe her and set out to find something awesome.

We ended up cruising past McClard's Barbeque. It was a crazy busy place. We stopped in and parked around back. The second good sign other than it being super busy, was the huge pile of wood out back. Score. We headed inside to find not an open table, and a seat yourself arrangement. We ended up with a table after around 15 minutes of waiting.

The menu was pretty brief, so I got the tamale's, and Adam ordered the Rib and Fries. Tamale's you say? Yes, but with a barbeque twist. The dish was two tamale's covered with Frito's, pulled pork, baked beans, onions, BBQ sauce and a pile of cheese. Amazing.

We then headed back to the campsite to hang out and get ready for the next day. More on that later.

New Sponsor/Team News

Well after great deliberation, many heated talks running late into the night, I have joined forces with Q7 Cycling. I am pretty excited to get together with a local clothing company trying to make a name for themselves. Check them out to check out their sweet duds.

One Mr. Adam Blake will also be killing it on the mountain bike side of the upcoming Q7 Team. This is exciting as well knowing that he has thrown out some trash talking (aka making me worried). Mr. Blake has also thrown out that he will be my race transportation to the IMBCS races that would typically not interest me in the least due to their distance from Iowa City.

Either way, with all of the other members of Q7 coming from different aspects of cycling, it is sure to be quite the mash-up of a team.

Things

Lots of bike riding. Slow and fastish. First group ride of the season tomorrow. Got my White Industry hubs for my new bitching sweet CX/Road bike wheel build (I think I may end up really liking these wheels). Got some Rotor 3d cranks and rings for the upcoming Specialized build. They are crazy nice. Some of the nicest cranks I have laid hands on.

I will leave you with some Gorrilaz to catch how I am feeling.

Ouachita Prep

Well since I am heading down to Ouachita again (Lance I still need to get some beer on the way to you. Sorry for procrastinating) I have been getting in some decent rides. The past two days were spent hitting it pretty hard. I got in a solo ride on Wednesday, and then a three man road bike mission on Thursday.

Thursday brought high winds from the south so it was officially time to pull out the weaponry. And by that I mean my Roubaix. I have made some nice upgrades to the bike over the winter which have made the bike fit and ride like a glove. I guess I should boot up some pics as this machine definitely warrants them.

Outside of that I am getting concerned about my Ouachita race setup. I know that my Specialized frameset is potentially out of the question, but I am still waiting on some other key components to make the bike rideable when it comes. That and I was hoping that I wouldn't have to ride my Karate Monkey with my Halo/Flow wheels. While bomber and nice, they are bomber and heavy.

I am also going to get some pics together of the upcoming build for my S-Works. The components pile is getting tall (and awesomely expensive as well as good looking.) I had been waiting on a crank decision, but that situation has been cleared. The crank arrived today and while still waiting on the chainrings that I hesitated to pull the trigger on initially, the cranks alone are my cup of tea.

Since I've had some good time on the bike in the past two weeks, I am gonna drink some beers and then go to sleep. Tomorrow should prove to be an interesting day at the shop.

Beer of the night: Samuel Smith IPA

One Week Down

Got some things done this past week. Felt crappy and then I felt better. Ended with a busted up chain after 135 miles which was installed brand new 5 days prior. 5 cracked links and one completely broken. Got in some fun townie action on Adam's Birthday Ride. Got pulled over by some extremely nice cops. Rode some awesomely packed snow.

Otherwise we will see how the next two days go. Lots of time planned on the bike, rain or no rain. Planning on around 4 hours each day regardless of miles. Still waiting on all my crap. Good news is I am heading to Ouachita Challenge end of the month. Lance Andre was kind enough to pawn his registration off for a 6 pack.

Which reminds me I better get him some beer in the mail. And get a rider transfer.