Can you feed me?

Learning along the way, if you ask to get a feed at the race, be very specific about exactly what your talking about! Idea's could vary dramatically!

Nice ride on Saturday

Kari dropped me off across from the Mex restaurant in Ellijay and they went to preride Carters Lake. Rode from Ellijay-52-Gates Chapel and it poured down hard, leaving me soaking wet 30 min into the ride. Plan was to ride up Mountaintown, but changed after rain. Up FS90, right on ? too Potato Patch-Right all the way to Dally Gap (about 1 hour)-turned around back to Potato Patch (this has to be my favorite section of gravel road/very tough climbing), back down to top of Bear Creek, all the way almost to the parking lot, right turn up Pinhoti 1, Pinhoti 2 @ 90A lot, Pinhoti 3, right on 52, left on Pinhoti again up to Tatum Lead, Left on Tatum Lead for 30 min, back to 52 and up to Ft Mountain where Kari was waiting for me.

Great ride, will do it again sometime.

73 miles, 10865 elevation gain, 6:08 hrs

Mohican 100

Mohican State Park in Ohio, June 2, 2007. Real quick, great trail, tough racing and fun times. Met more of the 100 mile crowd this weekend including Gerry Phlug and Jason Mohokey of Soiled Chamois fame. Took seventh place @ 8:03:48 behind some super fast racers. Lost contact after about 50 miles or so due to an early lull in performance (bonk) but recovered on a long rail trail section (about 14 miles of flat riding) to catch back up to 5th and 6th. Felt great throughout the rest of the race but a mechanical around mile 95 put me back two minutes or so. My goal was top ten so I’m very happy with the results and riding with this crowd is very rewarding.

This picture of me with fellow Atlanta racer Pete Joski shows a BearNaked/Cannondale but if you look closer a true Bikeman racer can be found.

On to the Lumberjack 100

Shey

Cohutta 100 cont.

Well, these things take time as my Dad would say.

The start is about two or three miles of pavement and went very quick probably because everyone wanted to get in the single track and out of the cold. My hands were stinging, long finger gloves would have been nice. Good position in the single track, maybe top 8 or ten. A gap opens up on the first small decent and here we go, lost site of the front group and start pushing harder. Pass and get passed by a few riders and finally catch the front chase group of Brandon D, Andy Mills, Harlan Price and a few others. We do some chatting and ride a long time together, but no one seems to be pushing too hard. Brandon and I do most of the work for a while since the other riders seem very content. The course starts to flatten out and I keep thinking to myself, we really could be making up lots of time if we could work together, why are we not- and the answer comes up just around the next corner. We just caught Tinker and Chris, they see us and Tinker takes off, not hard but enough to get out of site. Chris gets on the back of the train and we do some more work or Brandon and I do.

The Blue Whale - My hippie roots are showing.

I can't believe that we haven't taken the time to show off our newest member of the family. After a short debate, we decided to purchase an old VW bus. It's a 1989 vanagon with westfalia bench in the back that makes out into a bed.

Shey has been sneaking it from me in the mornings, so I haven't had the chance to drive it, yet.

We took it to the 12 hour race this weekend and it was so sweet! The boys and I just lounged around and stretched out our legs in the back. Super nice place to chill and it had room for all our gear, too. We loved having it there. I understand it will take me an extra 10 hours to get to any race, now and only one speaker works...but, that's okay because the stereo system is so bad that you can't understand the music anyway!

The oil light isn't buzzing at us anymore and the air conditioner isn't blowing hot air...all thanks to Shey and his dad. Thanks guys!

I am very, very excited about taking this out on road trips and hope it holds together for us. (I think it feels like one of the cool kids, now that we put some stickers on the back window.)

Kari

12 Hours of Yargo

12 Hours of Yargo

Results:

Shey - 1st Place Overall Solo Male

Lindner's and Adam - 3rd Place Co-ed


This weekend we all raced at the 12 Hours of Yargo. Shey competed in the 12 hour solo event and the boys and I entered as a co-ed team with our family friend, Adam Jones. (we seem to be able to talk him into doing all our crazy stuff with us!)

We also had a surprise visitor for the weekend. Shey's dad, Glenn, drove over from Texas and spent the weekend watching our crazy family race in the dirt! I think he had a lot of fun.

Race Report:

Man! What a beautiful trail!! I would pick the cooler weather over the heat and dust from last weekend, any day.

We had a great time and it was really a shame that there were timing difficulties because everything else was perfect.

Jansen decided that he would go out for the first lap and he laid his bike at what he thought was the far end of the lemans start (so he could run farther and hop on his bike ahead of a lot of people).....well, when I got to the start, the poor guy was way at the back of the riding start. So I moved him up a bit to mid-pack with Kate, Aimee and Rob and hoped I didn't upset anybody. I'm sure they were thinking, "Why are you putting a 12 year old in front of me."

So they took off and came around the parade lap and Shey looked like he was going to have a good day and Jansen had already moved up to a much better position.

When Shey came through the first lap I could tell by his body position up the grassy climb that something had happened and he was a little "off". Once he got closer I could see that he had fallen hard. I found out this morning that he hit a bridge pretty hard with the side of his face, was knocked out for a couple seconds and woke up on the ground. He has a pretty swollen cheek today and some decent sized gashes on his chin, that he is being very stubborn about and won't tape up. Goober.

Jansen came through just a couple minutes behind the lead group and must have flown through that first lap. It's the hair. I was so excited for him!

I was next and had a lot of fun out on the trail. Once I figured out that the trail was not as slippery as everyone thought it would be, I had a great time. Small breathing problem when I was almost finished with the lap and I forgot my inhaler (that was a little scary), but it all worked out fine and I didn't have any other issues. The roots were very slippery in the sections where the trail was holding water, but otherwise it was fast.

Adam Jones went out next and I could tell that he gave it his all when he got back in. I don't think he had ever sprinted a faster lap. Great guy. I can't tell you how cool it was to have him on our team.

Then Everett went out. He usually has lap times within a minute or two of his brother's. He was out a little longer than I thought he would be and found out that his bike was not behaving. Dropped the chain 7 times and not able to shift. Adam said it was not fixable today. So we shared my bike. "old blue" Everett still had a very strong lap.

Jansen went out again and passed the mean bean guys. I went out and they passed me. And that was how it went for most of the race.

All three of my teammates stayed very consistent.

Adam sprinted hard so that I would be able to hold our 3rd place position on the last night lap. I was laughing at times during that last night lap and I was flying down the descents, because it always amazes me that we are crazy enough to strap HID lights to our helmets and ride at race pace in the dark. Very cool!


Shey's Dad completely enjoyed the race and wants to get a mountain bike to ride around his ranch. He said he has at least 2 miles of trails that he can ride. Another Lindner on a bike!! It was nice that he could watch everyone race all at one time.

Shey and his dad, Glenn. We were so glad he came for a visit!

Nancy, Adam's wife and our very, very good friend was the pit crew for Shey's 12 hour race. I can't thank her enough for filling my shoes and doing a bang up job! Thanks so much, girlie!

Shey had an awesome first place finish with 13 laps completed in the mens pro/expert category. His light battery went dead on the last lap and he rode in behind another rider.

Again, it was really great to see everyone out there. All of our friends raced incredibly strong and we see every weekend how lucky we are to have these awesome people surrounding us.


Kari

Ol' Blue is ever faithful!

Everett's Single Speed Race Write-Up

Jansen and his rubber chicken riding on Trev's double decker.
Me and my shaggy haired brother on the podium.

I raced in the junior 14 and under category. The race is run by actual age, not the NORBA race age. The race started on a killer hill and it was hard to get going on a single speed. Anyway, it was just Jansen and I. We are at about the same level, despite the fact he’s only 11. But he’s just as tall as me. “the result of steroids and growth hormones in our meat” is what I call it. We started pretty fast, spinning away on our not-so-big gears.
The Yargo trail is really twisty, full of 90 degree turns and even more pinhair turns.
You can’t go very fast. I ran off the trail for that reason, and Jansen, who had been hugging my wheel for a while, slowed up, and then sped off. I trailed him, and caught up to him, then passed him. At this part in the course, we came to the “Three Stooges”, which are 3 short, 2 foot “woop-dee-doos” that are kind of hard to get up. Also, they had recently done a controlled burn in this area , resulting in charred, black ground on both sides on the trail. With clouds of smoke passing the trail every few feet, it was both really pretty, and really eerie at the same time. It was here, a while into the trail, that I ran off again, and Jansen zipped in front of me. Man, jumped on the bike and flew to try to catch up........ 5 minutes after that, WHAM! I endoed. I don’t remember how, but I stood up, covered in dirt, and I had a pretty bad head ache. The head ache went away soon enough, but by then, Jansen was gone. Not only that, but my handle bars were bent at an interesting angle. So I went on, at a bit more cautious pace this time, trying to steer at an unusual angle. It took some concentration. I actually came in fairly close to Jansen, and still covered in dirt too.
I took a ton of pictures and fed the racers water during the rest of the day. My family promotes this race so I stayed pretty busy all weekend, but the weather was great and the course was fun. On Saturday, before the short track race, two friends of mine had a special race. One was on a double decker bike and one was on a pink, little girl's bike. It was hilarious and put us all in a good mood. Racing is about cycling, but also about hanging out with your friends on the weekend and this one was a blast.

Everett Lindner

Goal Smashed/2007 Cohutta 100

It's 7am, cold and I find myself standing on the starting line with a few hundred other riders all wondering if they have the right food, enough drink, and if they should be wearing more clothes. Surrounded by many friends and fellow racers, to my immediate right is a road TT National Champ Andy Applegate/Landrover Cannondale, Garth Prosser/BearNaked Cannondale, Harlan Price/Independent Fabs, and maybe Dan Jansen/Niner bikes. Ok, do I really need to be in this crowd, feeling a little out of place now. On my left is some dude on what looks like a freeride bike that is sweating like we have ridden 20 miles already. Hmmm, Take a quick look behind me and see Tinker Jaurez/Cannondale, Mark Hendershot/Syndicate SantaCruz, Ernesto Marenchin/Speedgoat, Dave Hall/KHS-Kenda, BrandonDraugelis/BearNaked Cannondale, Eddie'Odea/Kona, Andy Mills/Trek and it looks like he brought Chris Eatough with him. Why is my heart rate going up while I sit here just looking around.

More soon.

Fortune and Fame.........

For Jamie! I gave him such a hard time at the party, that I kind-a feel bad....not too bad....just a little bit bad. So, I thought I'd post his picture here to give him a little fame on the web....no comments from Jamie needed, thank you! (and you're still not taking Jansen anywhere!)

Building 'em up!

Ah, it's that crazy time of year, when we are collecting parts -to replace worn out parts -to attempt to piece together bikes -for four riders/racers. But, once we get through all of this, the FUN begins!

We had a great kick-off party for the Fulton Flyers Devo team at the Gwinnett Land Rover dealership. Lamar did an excellent job of pulling this together for everyone. All the juniors looked awesome and the team has grown to 20 members! Wow!

Everett has had fun learning to ride in a group on the road and is looking forward to the GA Cup races. I will be a nervous wreck with him racing the older guys in his first year, but the boys always love a challenge and this will be no different.

Andy is doing a great job with the Cycle Youth group and I think he is looking forward to another great year with these fast young men. They really are amazing and are the goofiest guys to hang out with at a mtb race!

Shey is drooling in anticipation of his Cannondale bike. We can't wait to see what goodies come in the surprise box this year....it's like Christmas all over again!! Cannondale is too cool and this whole family is addicted to Bear Naked granola...as Alison would say...It's like CRACK!

Sorella Cycling is growing every week. We count over 100 ladies again this year and we have been extremely fortunate to have awesome sponsors for the whole club! I love racing with my buddies.

Shey and I both had Wobble Naught Fits (by Eddie O'dea and Andy Applegate) and are now relearning our balance in the new positions. Both guys really took their time with us and talked us through position and pedal stroke. It's going to take a little time to get used to this fit, since I have been riding in a different position for 4 years, but I can already tell a difference and my knees are not screaming in the morning after a long ride! Yea!

Eddie and Namrita are local and have more nutritional, bike position info in one little finger, than I have in my entire body. They are a class act and we're lucky to have them here.

Andy stayed the weekend with us and spent all of his time fitting Sorella ladies. One after another....after another....after another....He was very kind about our zoo of a house, with dogs, cats, friends stopping by at will, helping a buddy to move, sleeping in Jansen's bed, and coming to the Sorella meeting where he was the only male, surrounded by 64 females! Great guy.

So that is about it for now.....I'm still hoping Molly will send for me to meet her in Egypt, but I haven't received that call, yet!

Oh, and our very best wishes to Karen and Marv! Yipeeeee!

Kari L.

The man Hungerford

http://teamchainreaction.com/video/hungerford/

This dude has kicked my ass quit a few times. One of the reasons for my upgrade in 2007, always need fuel for the fire. Check out these mad skills and if you think this is impressive, try staying on his wheel at Bump. OUCH

New toy

My youngest son now has a road bike. Campy equiped steel steed. Most of the parts were from the garage, purchased the crank from Ebay and used my old cross wheels. It's weights 20 pounds and rides very smooth. Have fun Jansen.

Georgia Cyclocross Series Finale

Oh yea, Santa rides a Cannondale!

Hiiiiiiiiiii how are you? I was looking through an article of the Latest Dirt Rag mag, and saw an article about people doing a down hill race. It's a race that takes place on anything from Sofas to Vaccum Cleaners, and allows entrants to use weapons to slow down opponents. These include things like Marbles and Smoke Screens. The whole race takes place on a huge asphault hill.
I think this is kind of neat, and just wanted to type about it. I was thinking maybe I could do something like this back in my friend's neighborhood. He has a big hill, and maybe we could do a race like this with my friends that reside there.



Cheese is Good-
Everett

Cohutta 100 (old post)

4-22-06 Inaugural Cohutta 100 Starting at the beautiful Ocoee Whitewater Center in Ducktown Tennessee, the course is a 100 mile loop around the Cohutta Wilderness Area in Cherokee and Chattahoochee National forests. Although the course starts in Tennessee, it winds down into Georgia and then back for an epic loop consisting of an initial 20 miles of great Tanasi single track, 65 miles of forest service roads and a conclusion of another 15 miles of fast, rolling single track to the finish. Rain was present that night, so the initial single track saw many shallow puddles and slippery turns; not a problem for my Cannondale and the Continental treads. Mid-way through the race, I found myself in good company with the lead group consisting of Mark Hendershot (Syndicate/Santa Cruz), Garth Prosser (BearNaked/Cannondale MTN Bike Team), an unknown rider (Independent Fabrications), and Peter Joski (Atlanta Pro Bikes). The group of five riders was to splinter after each stop and I lost contact with Mark H, and Garth P after the 4th stop. Going into the last section of single track, the race had taken its toll on the two leaders, as I finally made contact with them. It felt great to finish with the leaders and complete an epic day in the saddle. The race was very well run and the prizes first class. There were six full stocked drop stations, roughly 15 miles apart for the racers aids. Different bike shops from around the area organized each aid station. Had a great time and highly recommend this race to anyone interested in an epic and uplifting experience next season. I will be back. According to the promoters New Leaf Adventures this race will be part of the National MTB Ultra Endurance Series for 2007. Stats: Distance 100 miles, Time 7:49:43, Ascent 10840, average speed 13.1, 2nd place. Shey LindnerBear Naked/Cannondale Mtn Bike Team.

Caesars Head Overlook

The crew at Caesars Head on our way to our thru-hike. More to come......

Pert vs. Cassette

Me and my cap at BUMP in first! Yipee!



This is a post from my Badlasses.com blog......


Okay, so I finally made it in to get my hair cut! I gave her the usual instructions....."Do whatever you want, but leave enough to pull most of it back in a ponytail, and all of it back in pig tails." (This is of utmost importance when wearing a cycling helmet or ball cap.)

I also asked her to fix the mistakes I had made when cutting my youngest son's hair a few days earlier. You see, I was talking and he was looking down and when I was through and he looked up....well, you could see a significant amount of forehead! It looked like that classic, homemade bowl cut. Over the course of the next few days, whenever he would tease me about something, I would simply say, "Laugh it up bowl boy!" But, I digress................

When she had finished with both of us, I met her at the counter to pay. It was here that she offered me a wonderful discount on these top of the line hair products. It would make my hair silkier, shinier, more volumptuous (uh, we're talking hair here, nothing else!) and of course, I was worth it. She then asked me what line of hair products I was using now. Without blinking, I replied, "Pert Plus green bottle!!" Oh, the look of astonishment and a tad bit of disgust. She then explained to me why these products would be so good for my hair. To this I simply replied, "Yes, but can you shampoo and condition in one super fast step?"

How could I explain to her that those four bottles on her counter could not equal the dream of a new cassete for this next spring?

How could I make her understand the uneasy feeling of a chain that skips or the awesome feeling of knowing that you will be able to shift smoothly and easily during the entire 24 race ahead of you?

She would never guess that my hair is something that keeps me warm in the winter, sometimes distinguishes me from the male racers, and is my ball cap keep-er on-er, when I pull the pony tail through the back loop of my favorite red cap.

All I could do was smile and say, "Oh, that sounds really great, but I had better wait until next time."

I am still saving for my cassete and maybe even that chainring that I so desperately need. Ah, but when I get them and I am on a long climb in the middle of nowhere, I will be thankful for the smooth, quiet transition of my chain moving effortlessly from one gear to the next.

But mostly.....................I will be thankful for my PERT, which helped me to get there!