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Written by Jason Mahokey
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Monday, 25 September 2006 |
Well, my 2006 season is in the books. Seems like just yesterday I was on my trainer, spinning away the winter nights day dreaming of the coming season. Now it's over.
In some ways the season went much better than I could have imagined, but of course some races left me disappointed and anxious for 2007.
On the good side I enjoyed moderate success at the three 6 hour endurance races that are part of the Mid Atlantic Super Series, finishing 2nd overall in points to Cannondale Semi-Pro Rob Lichtenwalner.
I had a decent 19th place finish in a big field of racers at the Mohican 100 in Ohio. The 100 milers are great events and hope to do more of the National Ultra Series next year. If you've never done one, I HIGHLY recommend them, they really take care of you with aid stations, swag and post race food and brew.
My 24 hour solo events did not go as I planned this year. In June I had to DNF the Hardcore 24 in Naples, NY after 7 laps when I started getting pretty dehydrated and experiencing chills in 85 degree evening temps. That was a bummer, 'cause the course rocked.
In September Tropical Storm Ernesto brought rain, high winds and cold temps to the mountains of Pennsylvania. Ernesto also sucked out my want to compete I finished 10th (or last) at the 24 Hour Champion Challenge here in PA. Bummer. Buy hey I got to meet and race against Tinker!
12 Hour races were pretty good this year. Back in May at Lodi Farms down in Virginia, I got through some morning stomach problems and finished 7th out of more than 50 Solo racers. The most recently I finished 2nd at the 12 Hours of Big Bear in West Virginia.
In addition to the racing I put more than 1500 miles on my road bike since March and had a blast cruising the back roads of Western Pennsylvania. Nothing like road riding to help build and maintain fitness. Just be careful out there.
I'd like to give some big thanks and appreciation go out to Bikeman.com, Salsa Cycles, SRAM, Rock Shox, Panaracer, Greyhound Juice, and all of our other team sponsors for the support.
Also BIG thanks to: My Wife JoErin for letting me do this crazy stuff and joining me on some of the road trips. My son Brennan for keeping me motivated and general cuteness. My buddy Tom for all of his super wrenching skills and support. Without Tom's skills I wouldn't be racing, and of course BIG Al, Bikeman.com team manager for making me part of the team. Thanks!!!
I also had a ton of fun this year continuing to write the nonsense that is my blog; The Soiled Chamois as well as reading and comment trading with my blogging teammates Rick Nelson, Matt DeMeis, and Tom Lambert. Made me feel more like part of a team from hundreds of miles away.
It's been a season of highs and lows. But I had fun riding and racing my bike and think I put up some pretty darn, OK, could be better, not bad, middle of the road, results. HA!
Thanks again for reading this season, I'm sure the boredom of the off season will have me spouting more bike inspired nonsense on my blog and here on Bikeman.com.
I'll leave you with a link to a slide show I put together from photos that I collected over the season from various races and training rides. Most of them are of my ugly mug (sorry), some are of the roads and trails get to, and got to ride and some are from the talented photographers that help us remember those days in the saddle getting our Chamois Soiled.
Jason
"The Soiled Chamois"
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