A ride at Boone

I went for a ride at Boone today. I was hoping to clear my palette after yesterday's ride at Peterson's. My two trusty steeds for the day':


Joel was working on getting ready for the ski season, so some of the trails across the ski hill suffered:

It was also a little wet in spots. Overall it was pretty good but . . .

Apparently somebody has been watching too much Cops, and has been throwing stop sticks out on the trail:

I ran over it with both tires, but didn't flat, thanks to my home-brew "slime".

The bridge is out from the south side: I sent an e-mail to Kyle.

And the view from the top is grand:

Post ride recovery - H20 and Recover-Ease

Horse Shit

I'm not going to ride at Peterson's anymore.

OK. I'm still going to race at Iowa Games, and if Keaton wants to go down there, I'll go with him. Other than that, I'm not riding (or working) there anymore. I'd encourage others to do the same.

Let's face it, Peterson's has very little to offer a mountain biker. Story County uses a Gator to maintain the trails, so there is precious little single-track.

And then there are the horses.

Tonight I went out to Peterson's with the intention of riding a two-lap time trial, as a way of judging my fitness. Since it was a Monday night, I thought the trail traffic would be light. Before I could even get the first lap started, I encountered a pack of 7-8 horses and riders. I dutifully moved to the side, and let them pass. I hoped that would be the end of it.

I was wrong.

In the first lap, in the little single-track section on the east side, the horses had tromped through, defecating as they went. I caught up to the horses shortly after that (with the fragrant smell of fresh horse feces still assaulting my senses). I said something to the leader about picking up after their animals. He was pretty indignant, and said that they were within the rules. Apparently, once the shit leaves the horse, it’s not their problem.

I rode away in disgust, muttering to myself.

Then I went back. I had visions of blowing by their pack at mach two, but I didn't do it.

Instead, I caught them at a point where I could talk with them at a reasonable distance. The leader of the group stood his ground, and maintained that he didn't have to pick up after his animals, because it would be too inconvenient (he actually used these words) to have to stop every time one of their animals defecated. He instead focused on how horse riders were losing trails, that there weren't many places left for them to ride. Gee, I wonder why? Could it be the shit on the trail? It's hard to call it a multi-use trail, when one user shits where another user walks or rides.

After a few minutes of talking, I realized I was wasting my breath, and my time.

I'm not riding (or working) at Peterson's anymore.

A Ride with Keaton

Keaton and I went for a ride at Peterson's tonight. Keaton is going to to enter in the Iowa Games mountain bike race in a few weeks, and he wants to get a few rides in before the race.



He did a few stoppies in the parking lot to get warmed up.



"Hey Dad, watch this!"


Then we're off





I gets dark in the woods early this time of year.


A Kerkove inspired shot



And another Kerkove-esque shot. Check out the new Oakley Half Jackets with carbon fiber finish frames and Titamium CLear XLJ lenses. The lens tinting it perfect for woods riding. I also got the G30 lenses for early spring/late fall when there is less leaf cover, and clear lenses for night riding.



One final stoppie to finish the ride.

Rest/Trail Work Day

It was time for a rest day, so I used the unseasonably cool (60 degrees) evening to do some trail work that I had promised to the Story County folks. I spent my time cleaning up the only real single-track section at Peterson’s. It is a small section on the east side, just south of the parking lot. It had gotten a little overgrown, and is covered with Poison Ivy (for now, I’m immune).

While out there, I ran into Andrew Carney, who was finishing up a training ride for the 24 hours of Moab. We chatted about the Boone 24, IORCA , and endurance racing vs. cross country. It was a good day off the bike.

Flickr sucks. I've tried to upload the few pixs that Christy took this weekend, with no success.

Stage Race at Boone

There was a two day stage race at Boone this weekend. The weather forecasters were dead on. We got 0.3 inches of rain on Friday night. On Saturday night, we got more.

The racer turnout on Saturday was on the light side (15 sport and 5 expert?). I think the conditions scared away some folks. The first race was a time trial around the whole course in the traditional direction (clockwise). Some much for my backwards pre-ride on Friday.

Before the time trail, Thad told me to save something for tomorrow. Good advice. I tried to follow it. Because of the rain, the course was a little sloppy on the first climb. On the backside, it was pretty messed up. I got through it, but it was not pretty (I pretty sure I fell somewhere, and I have the bruises to prove it, but it’s all a blur now). After the back section , when I thought I was through the worst of it, my chain broke. I was already in survival mode, so I really wasn’t too bothered by it. I fixed it and was on my way. I finished in a disappointing 1 hour and something.

The short track was run on the infield. 20 minutes + 2 laps, with sport and expert running together because of the small field. I hung with the leaders for about a lap, but I mostly rode alone. As the lead group lapped past me, I hung with them for another couple of laps, until the organizers threw out a prime, then I got dropped again. Oh well. I finished.

On Saturday night, we got another two inches of rain. There had been talk on Saturday of shortening the course if it rained on Saturday night. The word on Sunday wasthat we would leave the whole messy back section out. At the top of the first climb we would turn toward the campground, and leave the worst part out. It was a great choice for the conditions! Most of the course was very ridable. Sport class did three laps, while experts did five laps. I finished in 80 minutes +/-.

Thad won the Sport class overall. I think I finished in 1st in +45 Sport for the weekend. We’ll find out later.


I’ll try to post some pictures tomorrow.

Boone Pre-Ride

I went for a pre-ride a at Boone this afternoon. I did one lap on the time trial course (backwards on the regular course). I have been working on a training peak/race taper, and this ride was to blow the cobwebs out before the next two days of hard racing. However, riding the course backwards took much longer, and was harder than I expected. Because I was trying not to overexert myself, it took me 1 ½ hour to get around. I rode slow, enjoyed the day, and stopped many times to clear sticks and branched from the trail. I think I’ll ride faster tomorrow for having done it.

Given the sketchy forecast for the weekend:














And the radar:


I am going prepared.

I moved the Rig’s Ergon climbing bars to the Fuel:



I put toe cleats on my Pearl Izumi mud shoes:


I put Michelin A/T mud tires on the 8500:


And I’m packing the Pearl Izumi rain jacket:

I hope I don’t need any of it!

In other news, I got some new cogs for the Rig. Maybe with 32x23 gearing (nearly 1:1) I can drag my fat ass up the Boone hills. We shall see.



Before the ride, I stopped at the shop to get a new chain for the Rig. I was chatting with some of the guys about the Boone 24, and Tom said he had been riding with the Eagle Scout that I mentioned earlier. I told him my story from the Boone 24. Tom said he was and surprised, and that he didn't think that this guy would intentionally cut the course. Tom also said the guy was a strong rider, and capable of turning 38 minute laps at Boone. I hope the eagle scout shows up this weekend to redeem himself.

Training Peak = Rain

It would be hard to look at my results so far this season and say that I have had bad luck. I’ve been very fortunate in the way things have worked out. At the beginning of the season my three goals were to: 1) Move to the sport class as soon as possible, 2) Finish a race on the podium in my age group, 3) Finish on the podium in the IMBCS for my age group.

As it turned out, goal #1 was never an issue. I’m little embarrassed now that it was even a season goal. In my defense, at the time I set that goal, I weighed 230 pounds (I’m now at 200 pounds), and could barely ride one lap at Boone.

I achieved goal # 2 in the second race of the IMBCS (Boone) when I finished third of four in my age group. It was a lucky achievement because of the small number of people in the race. Oh, well. I told myself that Boone was tough, and only the most committed even showed up at the starting line.

Which brings me to goal # 3. I figured that if I showed up at most of the IMBCS races, I would do well in the series points. This goal was a way of saying that I would race the entire series. Once again, luck prevailed. After the second race I found out that, instead of breaking the Sport age classes at +30 and +40, this year they were divided at +35 and +45. Because I had to good fortune to be 46, I was above the fray, and many of my IMBCS series competitors were still in the +35 group. I will achieve goal # 3, but I was looking for a tougher battle.

I’ve also had some bad luck this season. It has mostly been related to building a fitness peak for “Big” races. In the two previous times I have tried to build a fitness peak/training taper this year (Iowa NORBA Championships and Iowa Games), the race has been rained out (or should have been – in the case of the NORBA Championship). I had planned a fitness peak/training taper for this (and next) weekend. Once again, it rained. Not just rain, but, as Cory would say, torrential downpours of Biblical proportions. The Sycamore Time Trial was postponed, and another training peak went by to waste.

I’m beginning to think that I have some psychic power to bring rain by reducing my training time. If only I could harness this power for good.

I’m still going to proceed with my plan to taper for Boone next weekend. Right now the forecast calls for decent conditions for the next weekend. Just wait till the weather gods get a good look at my light training schedule for the week.

Even thought this year is not over, I've already started thinking about next year, and what my goals for the year might be. Some of my candidates are 1) Lose another 20 lbs this winter (target weight 175-180) 2) Compete in Sport open instead of my age group 3) Boone lap time of 45 mins. (currently 53), 4) Move to expert (unadvised unless goals #1 and 3 are well in hand). 4) Enter a few Road Races and Crits, 5) Race Cyclocross.

I'm open to ideas. Got any?

Freaky

I went out for a one-hour spin on Tuesday, and then tonight went out for 1-½ hours with a little more intensity (but nothing to rough). I am trying to taper to a secondary peak on Sunday for the Sycamore Time Trial, and then a major peak the next weekend at the Boone two-day stage race. I was surprised that early on today I was still feeling the effects of the weekend. Either that, or I just had dead legs from not riding much this week. Later in the ride I felt much better. I think I’m on track. Sometime next week I plan on riding the course at Boone backwards, because that is the traditional time trial event on Saturday. I have also heard talk of a short track race (in the infield), and a hill climb. We shall see. For now I am focused on the Time Trial at Sycamore.

Thanks to Cory for pictures of me from the Boone 24. One of them now resides in my header (minus a few vehicles in the infield).

On another note, on my ride Tuesday I was riding through the backside of McFarland, and was thinking about the course-cutting event of the past weekend. I came across a downed tree. Because it was at the bottom of a hill, and I was one the Rig (SS), I had to walk up the next hill. At the top of that hill was a bench (which I have previously gone by at Mach 1 hundreds of times). Because I was walking the Rig up the hill, I paused to read the plaque on the bench. The plaque said that an Eagle Scout erected the bench. That Eagle Scout was the same course-cutter at the Boone 24 this past weekend! Freaky.

I’ve always associated Eagle Scouts with people of integrity. People like Marion Barry, Donald Rumsfeld, L. Ron Hubbard, and Bill Gates. OK, never mind.

I still think there is more to the story. Inquiring minds want to know.

24 Hour Hangover

I rode in the Boone 24 hour race this weekend. Our Team 14 4-person team (Thad, Rob, Sean, and me) achieved, and exceed our stated goal, which was to have a boatload of fun!

We started out strong (here is Thad after the run in 5th place overall):



We continued to ride well through 10 laps. We had been as high as second place, and, at 1:00 AM I think we were sitting in a tie for third. All but one of the 4-person teams was done for the night (the Rassy guys rode all night). I rode the last night lap for the team, and was ready for a beer or four when I got back to camp. Since the others on the team had a head start, I played catch-up (picture the high school girl in “Animal House”). We had some good times BSing with the Bike World guys, raiding the Irwin’s camp, hucking cookies at Nick’s truck while he tried to read “Runner’s World”, and getting all WTF over some guy doing 40 minutes laps in the mud and dark without ever passing anyone else on the course (He was later DQed).

Next thing you know, it’s 5:00 AM and our plan having someone up at 6:00 AM to ride has evaporated in a haze of beer and “Tilt”. I was up at 7:30 AM with a measly 2 hours of sleep. Any further laps on my part would have been hazardous to my health. Thad and Rob were in the same condition. Sean had been the voice of reason the night before, and had gone to bed early (2:00 AM). He redeemed our team by doing two more heroic laps on Sunday, giving us 12 laps total. Once the sun got warm we decided (“If you only applied yourself”) that we could do really well in this race if we tried. Maybe next year.

A picture is worth a thousand words. This is at the start and shows Kerkove in third:



In the yellow circle (in front of Squirrel’s trailer):



I think this is the unnamed rider that finished the first lap (and many more) in front of everyone. All without ever being seen by, or passing any of the lead riders. WTF?

In the end teammate Dennis Grelk put on lap after lap to win the solo race. Nice effort Dennis.

The other start pictures are here.

Why We Tuck and Roll.

Christy says I should put more pictures on my blog. Here’s one:

I had a little get off while riding at Boone with Dave yesterday, and, like an idiot, I stuck my hand out. This is the result. I don’t think anything is broken, but my middle two fingers got jammed pretty good, and are pretty swollen (my fingers are not usually this chubby).

Like I tell anyone that will listen, don’t stick you hand out when you fall! Tuck and roll is the way to go down. But it is easier said than done. Practice would help. Yeah, right - I’m gonna go practice falling.

Anyway, I finished the lap, and did another after that. It didn’t bother me too much, except during hard braking. After icing it today at work, I went out tonight for some active recovery with Keaton, and I barely noticed it, except during hard braking. Oh well. Dave says I should spend less time on the brakes anyway.

I'm back on track as far as my training goes. I've ridden for 5 days in a row now, with a nice mix of intensity, but not much endurance. I'll get pleny of that next weekend and at the Boone 24.

24 Hour Training

I did some training for the Boone 24 hour race tonight. It consisted of having a couple of beers on the porch with Christy, and then, when it got good and dark, riding my bike out into the woods. It sounds nuts (try explaining it to the park ranger - which I had to do), but it really is a lot of fun.

I also spent part of then night installing new Thompson Goodies on several of my bikes. The Thompson stuff is some finely crafted aluminum. Sweet!

Another note from yesterday's road race. I was having so much fun after the race hanging out with the guys that I forgot my post race ritual of Endurox and Recover-Ease. Ouch! I could definitely feel a difference today.

My friend and coworker Cory successfully completed Guitar Ted's Death Ride Invitational. From accounts here, here, and here he did really well. I am lucky to be able to train with him.

First Road Race

I entered in my first road race today. It is a small race in Webster City (The Tour de Webster) put on by the Webster City Parks and Recreation department, and supported by my team. All Nine Yards was also well represented.

Since it was my first road race, my expectations were low. I just wanted to hang with the main group. I was going to give everything I had to not get dropped. I knew nothing of the course, but I figured it was mostly flat, given the terrain in the area. If there were big hills, my race plan was done (since my climbing ability still sucks).

My training has also sucked in the last couple of weeks. Between the visiting of out-of-state family, the Fair, and generally crappy weather my training and nutrition have been all messed up. I went out Saturday to ride some intervals, and felt pretty good, but I tried to not get my hopes up.

I got to the start in WC, and the usual Team 14 suspects were there (Thad, Rob, Matt, Brian, Chris, Nick, Bruce, with Sean and Chris MaHarry on injured reserve). We had a team meeting down the road at the graveyard, then we out on a warm-up/pre-ride.

At the start of the race, I was pretty nervous because it was my first road race, and I didn’t know what to expect. My nerves settled some once we took off. At one point early one, someone in front of me sat up, and I locked my rear wheel avoiding them. That made me (and others around me) a little jumpy.

The race pace was also a little jumpy. We would cruise for a while, then someone would try to go off the front, and we would all jump to keep up. Maybe this is normal. I don’t know because it was my first time.

At the halfway point in the race (the Homer corner), the front of the main group accelerated thru the corner, and I (and several others) struggled stay on. I pegged out the HR doing it, but I caught back on to the main group.

Several guys had been off the front during the race, but the main group had always reeled them in. At the finish, it was no different, and the main group finished with a sprint.

As we were approaching the final sprint, several guys yelled “Car Up”. Apparently this was some idiot’s cue to attack the group to the left of the centerline. I was stunned, and waited for the carnage that would ensue. The only carnage that resulted was him being spit out the back of the main group on the final hill. In addition to being an idiot, I guess he attacked too soon.

Donny Quixote got the win with teammate Jeff finishing in third. I finished in 18th overall, and finished 3rd in my age group (40+). I was suprised by the result. I was oly trying to hang on. The only disappointment I have is that I held back some at the finish line, because I didn’t know what to expect. “First Race Jitters” I guess.

Another thing worth mentioning is that a “Road Race” is another item on my “Life List”. OK, This was a minor road race, but it gives me the confidence to do another one.

Next up is the Boone 24 hour race, (another item on my “Life List” – dang, I’m gonna have to think of some more stuff) where I am teaming up with Thad, Rob, and another rider to be named later. Our stated team goal is to have fun, lots of fun. I plan on achieving that goal. I told them I could drink beer, eat spaghetti, and heckle the leaders, all while riding single track at night. I guess I better start practicing.

Double Header

I went on the usual Thursday night group ride, but my legs felt kind of dead. I got dropped on the Boone hill (we've had my wife's family in town for the past 10 days, so my diet and training schedule has been all messed up). On Saturday I tried to get it all back. I did three hours of gravel early in the day, and did another 1.5 hours at Peterson's after dark. Both rides felt great. I forgot how much fun night riding could be! I might be riding on a Team 14 4 person team for the 24-hour race at Boone on Labor Day weekend. Because of that, I’ll be doing more night riding in the next couple of weeks.

I also had to skip riding today so that I could go to the Fair with my wife’s family, but I’m feeling much better now.

A Day Past Ripe

I rode today, even thought I had ridden for the previous 5 days. I didn't have much energy, and my legs felt weak, but I got 1 1/2 hours in. I have family things to tend to the next two days, so something had to give. I'll be back for the group ride on Thursday.

What don't kill you, makes you stronger.

Weekend Recap

Although the weekend was somewhat rainy, it turned out pretty good for me. On Friday night I took a ride on the Rig through Peterson's, just too make sure the 32x16 gearing is still working for me. It was. I cleared the big climbs on the backside of McFarland with it using the slow cadence rocking technique mentioned earlier.

On Saturday I had planned a three-hour gravel grinder with Cory. I wanted to take the 8500, but didn't want to wear out the new Michelin A/Ts, so I swapped the wheels on the 8500 with the Michelin Comp S Light/Mavic 817 on the Fuel. It took a little messing around to get the new combination dialed in (the rear derailleur and both brake calipers had to be adjusted), but it got me where I wanted to be.

Cory had planned to be at my place at 7:30 AM. I got ready in spite of the rain/forecast/radar. When the phone rang at 7:30, I thought it could go either way. I was glad to hear that Cory was on his way. In spite of the rain, we rode east on 170th, and south to where ever, with him leading the way, and me being the blissful tagalong. In the end I'm guessing I did 40-45 miles (my computer was not working in the rain) with Cory doing more like 55-60 by the time he got home (he's training for G-Ted's Death March, so he needs to get in the extra miles). We had a great ride, in spite of the rain, and Cory's near flat. It was long, slow, distance (LSD), so we had plenty of time to solve all of the worlds' problems. I also wore my Jimi Hendrix jersey to commemorate the LSD. There was some bike cleanup afterwards because of the slop, but it was all good.

On Sunday I took care of some neglected tasks that come with living on an acreage (mowed the lawn, weeded the garden, cleaned the gutters, etc.). Later I took the 8500 (still with the Michelin Comp S Light/Mavic 817 wheels) out too Peterson's for a quick spin (1.5 hours). I should ride that bike more often. It's pretty sweet. It's quick, light, and nimble. But I could feel that lack of traction on a few climbs. I don't know whether it was from the lack of full suspension, or the worn out Michelin’s.

For the week I got in 9.5 hours of riding, with a good mix of intensity and endurance. I think I'm on my way to another good build period. I will try to build the next peak for races in September.

Another Thursday Night

I did the Bike World group ride tonight. Cory was also there. We rode north into the wind. I took some pulls, and made a halfhearted attempt at a sprint, but I just didn't have any legs tonight.

I think I'm still feeling the effects of Sunday's suffer fest. I rested Monday, and it rained Tuesday, so I rested even harder. I rode easy at Peterson's yesterday, with a couple of hard efforts thrown in, and felt pretty good.

Today I thought the ride started out OK, but I ran out of gas. The group split at E-18, with some of the guys riding towards Pilot Mound, and Steve and BP turning back towards Ames. Cory and I debated for a second, but with both groups moving away from us, we had to decide. I convinced Cory to take the easy way and we caught back on with Steve and BP. We had fast ride with the wind, until Cory and I got dropped on a hill. That was a good thing, cause that gave us an excuse to stop on my brother-in-law's for a Stella's on the way back into town. Life is good.

The Iowa Games web site sez that the MTB race has been rescheduled for October 7th. Cam sez that "We are working on the possibility of an additional IMBCS event for the weekend of October 7. Stayed tuned for details." Could it be that the final IMBCS event would be in my back yard? That would be cool!

Rest Day

The title sez it all, don't ya think?

I Guess this Tapering Stuff Works

I raced at Loomis Park in Fort Dodge today. It was hot. Not “I think I need another lemonade” hot. It was more like, “My skin is melting” hot.

Dave rode to the race up with Christy and I. He had called the night before wondering if we had room a 4th bike, announcing that he had a surprise ride. Sunday morning he showed up with a Gary Fisher 29”er demo from Bike World. Dave and I were both excited to try it out, and Dave was going to race it. So we took off with my Fuel and 8500, and his Giant NRS and GF 29”er.

When we got to Loomis Park about 10:30, there was a sign-up table, and Nick and Aaron were there, but that was about it. Shortly after we got there, Cam arrived. OK, we must be in the right place.

There was a spot of bother regarding start times. The race organizers were considering starting the Sport Class at 1:30 after the Experts were finished (WTF? Why make us wait until the heat of the day?). In the end, we went off in the normal fashion (Experts with Sport trailing by seconds).

Having done a full taper for this race, I hoped to do well. I went off fast, in the back of the lead group. I fell early on an uphill switch back and got passed by a few riders while getting back up. I passed most of them back later in the race. I rode for much of the race with Taylor Webb of Irwin's / Toyota and Jacob Naumann of Rasmussen Bike Shop. At around lap three or four Thad dropped back from the front and paced me right up to Taylor, then lead me out past Taylor in the grassy section. It really helped me, but I didn’t have the stamina to make the pass stick. It was cool to ride up there with those guys for a while. Around lap five I starting getting the chills on the down hill sections. I knew that wasn’t good, so I slowed down a little, drank a little more water and held my position to the finish.

I finished 6th of 16 in the Sport class, and 2nd in my age group. For the IMBCS Series, I got 1st place points the +45 Sport class. I am doing everything I can to hang on the points lead on that class. Although it was a very hard effort (I had an average heart rate for the race of 165 - pretty good for an old guy), I was happy with the result, and that made it all worth while.

Ready for Race Day

On Friday I ordered a couple of WTB Rocket V seats at Bike World to replace those broken during the carnage earlier. I'm hoping a more durable seat will solve my problems. I've also been experimenting with moving the seat forward in the rails, and raising the seat height to 1/4" to 30.5". After some IT band trouble this winter I lowered my seat position to the standard 0.883*inseam (0.883*34.25" = 30.25”). It seemed to solve the IT band soreness, but I always felt like my seat was a little low, so I compensated by moving it back in the rails some. The result - broken seat rails (OK - Ti rails didn't help). We will see how the WTBs hold up.

I was thinking about going up to Fort Dodge today to pre-ride tomorrow's race course. I had ridden the course last Sunday, so the ROI would be minimal. Besides, it was stinking hot today! So, I went out for a quick spin (1.5 hours) on the Madone. I rode for a while with a female tri-athlete that was training for an Iron man in Wisconsin in September. She was doing a 100 mile day. I turned back at McCallsburg, where she still had about 80 miles to go. Wow! Good for her!

Tomorrow is Fort Dodge. I have done a full taper for this race, so I plan on putting it all out there. It will be hot, but heat does not bother me. I have a well-tested hydration and nutrition plan. I plan on riding the Fuel, but will take the 8500 just in case. The course suits me well. It should be fun.

Tapering is Hard

I think I have figured out where I am with my training. It took a trip to Boone to do it (Boone does a good job of clearing one’s head). I started up at the campground. By the time I got to the bottom and started up the base climb was feeling really strong. I was clearing things in a higher gear and feeling good doing it. Maybe my training peak wasn’t lost after all. Mid-ride I decided to take it easy, and save some for Sunday at Fort Dodge.

I rode the whole course on the middle ring. I know that doesn’t sound too impressive for a welterweight, but for me, (46 years old, 195 pounds – down from 230 last fall, and a newby to mountain bike racing) it was pretty cool – all without overexerting myself. It’s nice see some good results from training. I hope to see the same on Sunday.

I think that my time on the Rig also has something to do with my increased climbing ability. I have noticed an increase in both strength, and standing climbing ability (which I was lacking).

For my race taper, I’ll take Wednesday off, and I’m going to skip the Bike World group ride on Thursday. With the pace of that ride, nothing good can come from it. I’ll go for an easy spin at Peterson’s on Thursday, take Friday off (tapering is hard), and maybe drive up to Fort Dodge on Saturday for a few laps to get the course dialed in.

I put some Michelin XCR A/Ts on the 8500, so, heaven forbid; now I have a mud bike.