operation superfly.

Frame: pre production Gary Fisher carbon superfly (17.5)
Fork: Bontrager carbon switchblade 29
Wheels: Bontrager race x lite 29 (no tubes)
Tyres: F/Bontrager dry x 29/2.1 (24psi)
R/Kenda small block eight 2.1 (27 psi)
Crank: xtr 175mm
Ring: Black spire 38t
cog: surly 17t
Tensioner: soulcraft convert

19.3lbs

Leading up to August 26th the hardest race I've done was the sswc's in State college Pennsylvania. Why? Well, climbing was a factor. Terrain was rough for a rigid but what really sticks in my mind is the fact that I felt good and it still hurt that much. Keep in mind that I was digging my own grave and didn't know it which seemed to elevate everything. Cramps, heart rate, fatigue. It was painful.

As of 1:06 pm Sunday my idea of a hard race changed. Enter the Smoking spoke in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Home of Camp Tesomas boy scout camp and the Hodag. The last time I was here Marko and I were kicking Webelo ass and taking names. We continued the rotation with a 1/3 finish in the grueling 42 mile sufferfest.

Start was even. I was set. Mikey was cruising off the front. By mid lap Matter settled on my wheel and we discussed the gap between us and Mike. "Wanna close it?" Probably should. Nearing the end of lap one Mike, Matter, and I regrouped with Marko in tow. I went to the back and urged Marko to latch on which he did.

Entering lap two Brian turned the screws through the camp area. He had us pretty wound out until the hills started. I went to the front just before the singletrack and slowly uped the pace. The rough terrain was brutal but I somehow managed to find rhythm in the single track. For a while I thought the "soft tails" were laughing at Marko and I on our rigids. Literally, we must have looked like rag dolls getting bounced around. I slowly memorized the sheepish course midway through the second lap. The fast spots were fast and the slow spots were sloooow.

Somewhere along the line Mike popped as three of us entered the third lap. I think I was still on a rampage of sorts. It's all a blur. I was definately trying to test Matter in areas but it appeared that he was content riding the race as hard as I was. By this point not only is fatigue starting to set in but also lapped traffic becomes a factor. Ski trail is never the issue but the single track was tough. We had excellent luck getting by most everyone. Midway through lap three Brian dabbed on some lapped folks which I took full advantage of. I thought for a second I was going to get away but he reeled it back as soon as I encountered more lapped riders. I was a bit bummed since your only given so many chances to reveal how your feeling. It seemed that Brian was on to me as we traded blows well into the fourth lap with Marko holding on.

Theres a sense of relieve knowing Marko was still in it with me but at the same time I was getting nervous. Brian and I were destroying ourselves as Marko got to sit in on the show. The thought of Marko overtaking us at the end occured to me which later he revealed couldn't have happened due to his raw hands and spun legs but you never know. Nearly 41 miles into the race and I finally broke the band. I'm sure we were all hurting the same and I was dealt the luck card as I sprinted the final mile to victory!

Overall weekend impressions: When it comes to dining in the northwoods, take what you can get. Course wise, I think many were perplexed. What constitutes a marathon? Well, a UCI santioned marathon is much longer but this isn't a UCI race. Terrain? Yeah, the smoking spoke was jittery but I enjoyed it. It was definately a arm numbing experience that I was stoked to be part of.

The bike was flawless. I'm alway apprehensive to use a tensioning device but the convert was impeccable. Frame wise I was canned on the terrain. My body will ache for days but it's mostly my fault for doing the rigid thing. The stiffness and lightweight made up for the rigid ride as I could rocket in and out of corners. This was just the test that she needed before Chequamegon.

Once again thanks to the boys with the toys. All the family and friends that came out to superfan and Twin 6 for making me look purty on the podium.

Comments

[CP]

For a moment I thought I was alone in my rigid suffering. Good job Jesse.

[Rusty]

ah yes, do you remember me asking you how the h3ll you could take such a beating on the trails... well, live it up while your still YOUNG
great performance!

[doug]

Way to go rocking that huge gear!