BTS Title Chase

We are now up to 25 team members (28 counting regulars Mason, Emily & Jesse) who are competing in the BTS Series.  This is exactly why we have the series, to get everyone out there riding.  Sunday was great to see so many riders and so many in DP kits was just icing on the cake.  Be on the lookout for some premes coming up, I think I hear the bell ringing for one now...

BTS #7

It was with with a sense of impending woe that I set forth for BTS #7. I have been fighting off this sinus infection for weeks now, and as much as I need the exercise and the weather was near perfect, the sheer amount of over the counter drugs that I had ingested hours ago in hopes of being able to breath, had me seeing double and on the verge of passing out.
I arrived early in hopes that I could get a quick spin in to clear the cobwebs, but alas I was not early enough...

Kylan rolled up and the pre-ride palaver began. Roger pulled in dressed as a civilian, which elicited comments from both Kylan and I, but like Clark Kent, Roger ducked into his and car and in a flash emerged as Sattler Man!

Next Plassman arrived, and I while I was pulling the last of my crap together hoping to soon pull my self together, I over hear Plassman tell his war tale from the previous days ride. I couldn't quite hear it, but it sounded horrific.
I had to go investigate...
And let me be the first to say- Bravo! It certainly put my ill feelings in perspective! So I put my nuts back on and got ready to ride!

At this point there were all kinds of riders suited up and ready to go- 11 or 12 I think. We rolled out to towards Forest Hill to meet up with Jason and Mason.

Considering how long a train of riders we had and how many hikers were on the trails, we all kept a decent pace and stayed pretty smooth.
The trails were in great shape, a couple of wet low spots, but other than that it was a great day to ride.
We hit all of JRPS, rolled back towards Dogwood Dell and then opted to try the fresh trails the RA.MORE cut in there.
Other than being fresh and soft, I think these new trails are going to be a lot of fun. I am not sure we found all that was in there, it seemed pretty short...

If I remember correctly, the group ride consisted of:

Me
Roger
Kylan
Jeff P
Jeff F
Jesse
Emily
Sonya
Shannon
Byron
John
Jimmy F
Jason H
Mason
And another Jason maybe?

The after party was at Moshi Moshi
How I love me some Saki!

Hh- out

Bonus BTS Sunday

Since the weather conditions were nothing short of unbearable today with the 33 degree temperatures and mist I am going to award BTS points to everyone who braved the elements and went out to ride.  It was nasty out there for sure.  Kudos to everyone who made it out - you just earned yourself 50 points!  Keep on the bikes, you never know when the bonus BTS points will be dished up.

With the number of runners out yesterday, I added 50 points to your totals as well.  Trainers and installing dishwashers will not be considered point worthy activities...

Holy Fruit 66...

This just showed up at my place today - let me know if you are interested in purchasing a case.

We have the best sponsors!!!

BTS #3

It was a duel of the Jason's tonight as Broussard made his way out to Powhite.  I thought for a minute there I might be picking up double points, but preferred the company.  we rolled around the trails for just over and hour with Mason in tow.  It was a warm 40 degrees and we met up with three other riders who Jason B knew. Good times out on the trails.  See you all in a two weeks, I am in New York all next week.

Kicking It Off: BTS #1

Paul and I kicked off the BTS series on Tuesday with a traditional Run/Ride/Run.  It didn't seem right to be kicking off the winter riding series with temperatures over 50* with no winter riding gear needed.  I can remember last season's BTS events having to worry about frozen bottles on almost every ride; this was not a concern last night.  I was more concerned with being over dressed with just a thin baselayer on.

The pace this night was more social then anything.  Buttermilk was damp making the rocks very slick and sketchy.  Coming down the rocky chute under the Nickel Bridge was interesting to say the least with both front and rear tires skidding the entire way down.  The lights were clicked on once I reached North Bank, which was surprisingly dry.  There is something about riding at night, the trail that was once familiar is now much different.  This carries over to trail running at night as well.  I have grown tired of running on the road, but trail running has renewed my interest.

The event was rather uneventfull with just Paul and I making it out so no photos were taken.  Hopefully BTS #2 tonight at West Creek will draw more riders. The temperature should be just about right for a BTS ride hovering just under 40*.  Winter riding gear will be essential.

2nd Annual BTS Series

Back in full effect starting this week.  Ride schedule will be posted to the right.

Good luck to everyone - have some fun - suffer as much as possible - come into the season ready to race.

There will be some swanky prizes given away at random and to the top 3 point snatchers.

There is a 100% chance rules will change so Toddy G does not walk away with top honors again...  Be on the lookout for Euro Dave, a couple of these rules were written just for him.  

Points:
30 - MTB Ride
25 - Run/Ride
20 - Road Ride

Bonus Points:
5 - BTS write up on blog
5 - Pics included in write up
10 - Raining
10 - Night
10 - over 5 DP riders
15 - MTB ride >30 miles
15 - Road ride >50 miles
20 - over 10 DP riders
20 - Temps below freezing
20 - Snowing
25 - chance gathering of 5 or more DP riders on trails
50 - Over 15 DP riders
50 - Pre-sesaon race (frozen Cross, Monster Cross, Southern Cross)
DOUBLE POINTS - only one to show up at any event
TBD - Epic Rides (super bowl ride, pantani ride, etc.)


Demerit Points:
(-50)  Riding on muddy trails
(-50)  Crashing teammate on road
(-10)  Not wearing a DP kit (for those who have them)

DPR Kicking it at the 2012 50/50

David and I showed up to represent Design Physics Racing at the 2012 50/50 ride. A sizable group was on hand for the start of the ride and the usual suspects prepared for the start. As usual, Metro arrived fashionably late and in style. I also had a chance to catch up with some friends from the Richmond Velo Sports team.



Before long, we were off. The leaders blasted through the stop sign onto River Road and this set the tone for traffic violations for the majority of intersections encountered during the ride. When rolling with this motley crew, you are on your own for checking for a safe crossings!



Soon we bypassed almost all JRP single track and the route took us through Carytown to Broad street. We rode close by Damon's house and I thought we should have given him a hooligans wakeup at 7:30am. No rest for the wicked eh?



Before long we had chugged along through a bunch of very questionable railway areas, and then surprised a guard standing near the Richmond convention center as we fractured into several groups heading towards Church Hill. Soon we were passing the Haines residence and it occurred to me that we could kidnap Tom and force him on the ride. Alas, it was not to be.



After assaulting Church Hill and several super sketchy "pirate trails" we ended up near the port of Richmond and were soon skirting legality by riding some gravel roads around a huge rock quarry.

Then eventually we rode a mix of paved roads and ended up on a "gravel road" next to a military base or something. This is where some MP's yelled at some riders to "get across the creek" that I had just soaked my shoes in. Per the Rooster's request to "get those DP guys on the front" I pulled a good bit and then handed it over to the Velo Sports Guys and JMAC.

Miles later and after a lunch stop, we finally were riding gravel at Pocohontas. I got a flat and was promptly dropped. So I fixed my flat, and then was glad to see David coming back for me. We got separated from the group for the riding of all the colored trails. When we rode lake view 1-2-3, David put his stamp of authority by pulling away from all the fast guys and waiting for us at the trail head.

We regrouped and re-hydrated and noted how the day was quickly leaving us. Soon we would all take long pulls on Courthouse RD all the way back to Richmond. I fell off the back of one group when my legs finally started bonking. Then I picked up Metro, who rode with me until in his own words declared… "Honey Plassman, you are too small to draft!" and he rode off to get some fuel, err... beer.

With my legs shot and the day going quick, I headed back to the start/finish hosted by Brandy and Travis. I finished a long day with some awesome post ride snacks and beer. What a way to ring in the new year.