Lumberjack Prep By Mike Neeley

Yesterday Brian C and I rolled out at 6:00am to get some saddle time in prep for the upcoming Lumberjack 100. The plan was 5-6 hours on the bike at a moderate pace to get the legs, backside, and nutrition ready for LJ. Mission accomplished in my opinion. We ended up with about 5 hours on the bikes, hit up a mix of roads, dirt roads, and single-track. My custom blend of Infinit Nutrition seems to be working so I am pretty pumped about that.

The 2009 Top Fuel 9.8 is unreal no matter what kind of ride I take it on. Yesterday I had the suspension set on a medium firm setting and it did a great job of soaking everything up while staying efficient. I may soften it even more so I can stay on the saddle over the larger roots without it bucking me off. The great thing about this bike is that I can actually make those changes allowing for a lot of versatility. Even with the pro-pedal off I don't get any pedal bob while seated.

Anyway enough about my bike. Team jerseys have been delayed by the manufacturer so we are doing the best we can with older Kentwood Cycling jerseys and Bontrager logo gear but I look forward to getting the new ones. The mock up looks great.

We are still looking for a good night to get everyone together for team rides but our schedules make it tough. Hopefully we can sort that out soon as it would be nice to get a good group ride in once a week.

Two more weeks of heavy miles and I back it off for LJ. Not sure why I keep signing up for the suffering but I do. Here is a picture of the first 100 miler Czar and I did together. Shenandoah is what started it all.

Weekday Training Ride...

By Brian Neeley:

After carefully considering the weather and the trail conditions, Jerimie and I decided to stay off the rain soaked trails and get in some road miles last night. We met in downtown Rockford and road North on the White Pine trail to Cedar Springs. It was a solid 30 mile ride. You can really get a good roll going coming back into Rockford.

Also, we have decided to race at Hanson Hills on June 7th. Geoff should be up there racing with us so the singletrack jockeys we will be representing…should be fun!!!

I love Egypt Valley

Rode Egypt 2x plus the commute totaling 28+ miles. An absolutely great morning on Sunday. Light rain hit the trails Saturday PM and allowed for excellent riding conditions. It was a day of 2's...in addition to riding 2 loops, I saw 2 deer, 2 turtles and 2 turkeys on the ride. The 3rd section reroute is the bomb! Watch out for the horse crap on sections 1 and 3. It is all over.

Brian, have you seen Mike or Czar?


Jerimie

Get more miles...have better work days doing it!

By Brian Neeley

I Rode home from work last night and then back to work this morning. That gave me an additional 45 miles this week (87 total)! What a great way to end a day yesterday and an even better way to start a Friday!

Later...

Rollin in the 80's

By Jerimie Ike


First time out in the 80+ degree heat for 2009. Brian and I rolled 20+ miles each to include trail and road. As a kickoff, we took on the great Chauncey Hill. A devestating climb bringing the heartrate to its max. Dirt, sweat and squeaky chains....nothing like it. I also counted 4 deer and 2 turkeys. Nice.

Finally...a decent ride!

By Brian Neeley



After a week out sick, a week on vacation, and this past week with only one short ride, I really needed to get in some miles. I rode from my home out to Egypt Valley for a loop tonight. Just 21 miles but it was a quality ride. The weather was perfect, the trail was in great shape, and the Top Fuel performed well. I wish I could say the same about my legs…no pop in them.

After my ride, I took a look at my miles for the season…not good. I have just 315 miles in thus far. I will have to more than double that over the next month to try and prepare before the 8 hours of Canonsburg. Tonight was a start…

Here is a pick of a good race!!!

Trifecta Achieved!

By Jerimie Ike

3 courses, 1 ride and moderate pain. 35 miles door-to-door. Egypt Valley, Cannonsburg and Luton Park have been conquered.

Egypt Valley- nice conditions and the reroute done on section 3 is great.
Cannonsburg- still freshly rerouted and a bit soft. Will see how it rides in the coming days/wks.
Luton Park- very nice. Lightly soggy in areas but the trail work is solid.

The MMBA has been working away out here! Solid efforts.

Mike, I know you have that beat with an alleged 70 mile cruise Saturday. Nice.

Jerimie

5 Hours of Wind

By Mike Neeley

They had to postpone Addison Oaks for the second time Saturday so I headed out on the Top Fuel for 5 hours of fighting the wind. Between rail trail that took me north of Cedar Springs, the new singletrack in Rockford (Luton I think), and Cannonsburg Ski Hill, I ended up with some quality miles that should help get me ready for Lumberjack "09". I also managed to slip in a 1 hour recovery ride today so all in all not a bad weekend on the bike. The legs are sore but I feel like I am making deposits in the bank. I will need to withraw often for LJ.

What does the picture have to do with this weekends riding. Nothing, but it represents a race where I felt good and had a PR. That is what I am hoping for LJ.

Has anyone seen Jerimie Ike or Brian Neeley? Do they still ride bikes?

Commute with the Czar

The Czar of GR and I commuted in to work today. There is no better way to start the day than a good spin through downtown Grand Rapids and over to the office. We rolled the Trek Fuel's through the treacherous West Michigan streets and ended up with about 30 miles total for the trip. As a couple of weekend warriors it was a solid 30 miles we probably would not have gotten in.

What did we get for our efforts to be "GREEN"?? Showers at work with no water pressure and fellow employees laughing at the two lycra clad bike geeks. Priceless

Big ride this weekend. Got to get ready for Lumberjack 4. This is Czar's year. I expect him to bring it.

Pics from Races Past

12 hour of Pando Posse- 2008

Mike Neeley (left) with his game face at Yankee Springs TT 2009