Andy Welch
Final pre-race thoughts
Final pre-race thoughts
Thankful, Sponsors
Andy Welch
Serenity and Discovery - Thank you!
Serenity and Discovery - Thank you!
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Time Station Sponsors
Time Station Sponsors
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Andy Welch
Ohio 200
Ohio 200
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The Power of Me Too
The Power of Me Too

race

One test passed....One to go

Two weeks past, I got word that I would once again be lucky enough to be considered as part of Powerbar's Team Elite. I was very excited to hear the news as Powerbar is amazing at taking care of their athletes. As part of being on the team, they make available an endless amount of nutritional and training articles. You can also test and become a certified Nutrition Pro through them which means you can then host nutrition clinics. Well I took it and passed it.

If I could I would wear this like a sheriff's badge

Well all know, I have notoriously been a huge hypocrite when it comes to nutrition. I can talk about it in an educated manner all day long, but when it comes time to put the plan into action, I usually fall terribly short. In the past month or so, I have been trying to hone the on the bike nutrition in because Jenn had planted an idea in my head that I could still do certain things. What were they you ask? One was ride my bike, for very long periods of time. I have been ENJOYING being on the bike all year so much so, I usually put it before the household duties most of the time. Hopefully, all the time I have spent in the saddle combined with actually eating on the bike will help me pass my next test...

Greenbriar - Race Report

Headed up for the Maryland State Championships yesterday. Held in the Greenbriar State Park in North Western Maryland. I was a bit worried about this race as I have only ridden in the actual mountains once in my life let alone raced in them.

The race promoters had provided an elevation profile and I had devised the following game plan. Go out slow so I don't blow up my legs on the first lap and so I don't send myself off of a ledge.


Plan was working like a charm so I thought until the end of the second lap when Steve Shwartz came barreling by me. He won the Baker's Dozen just a week earlier. I asked him if he was the leader and he told me he was until he got lost in the woods and was now in 20th or so. That put me in 21st.


Kept my pace and was feeling strong. Just kept the pedals turning and the riders ahead of me kept falling back. The line in Days of Thunder came to mind. "I'm going faster. They are going slower!" Oh so true as my lap times were consistent.


Lap 5 came around I had just passed another rider and began to climb once again. And then I heard the POP! Ping! Ping! and I was spinning my legs freely. Chain broke! I jumped off the bike trying to get the chain free from the bike but to no avail. It had wedged itself between the crank and bb spindle more than once. It appeared more damage to the bike would occur if I tried to jerk it out than I was willing to do so I began what turned out to run the bike out. 4.5k later I finished the lap and turned in my number. DNF!

I take away a few positives however. As the rider I had just passed came by me while I was running, I took note of his bib number so I would have an idea of where I might have been able to finish had I not broken the chain. He finished 6th so that leads me to believe I would have had a decent finish in the works. Oh what could have been. The other positive is that I raced in a mountainous setting and didn't kill myself. I must say it is far from the somewhat smooth singletrack that I am used to racing around on here in the 804.

Back from the 'Burg

So I am back from Leesburg and now about 24 hours removed from the event my legs do not feel all that bad considering just how rough of a race it actually was. I could probably describe the weekend using nothing but one lined cliches. Here are a couple.....

To huck or to cross? That is the question.


A grave situation
or how about
A sign of what's to come


Get a shovel it's getting deep


Race report coming shortly. Stay tuned...

Be-lated Hilbert Recap

  • Start off strong
  • 7th into the woods
  • 5th out of the woods (1st lap)
  • Make way to 4th on 2nd lap
  • Third lap feeling strong still then foot meets tree stump
  • Toe dislocates brings on a string of four letter words
  • Foot swells hold postition for laps 4 and 5
  • Lap 6 loose 3 spots slipping to 7th
  • Withdraw after 6 laps
  • Finished 26th of 30-some Can I get a whooo-hoo?
  • Didn't think so
A week later toe feels better except in the mornings when it is still a little stiff. Probably be back on the bike by the end of the week.

Oh and sorry for the lack of pics. The crew couldn't figure out how to work the camera.