Which Kim Was It?

Originally sent 6-5-09

Hi all!

So in a last minute rush, I snuck out of a reception at work, and rode over to the Sandpiper Prologue bike race. No warmup (just the 10 minute ride over), and I got there only to be told that I was too late to sign up. But thanks to my ChickenRanch connections, some serious strings were pulled, and I was allowed to start, the only catch was I had to

pretend to be Kim McDaniel, who had signed up but was not there! And

it just so happened that Kim McDaniel's start time was within a minute of this discussion....so I was called up to the line immediately. As I am waiting for my countdown, Jurist remarks "watch the gravel section and the off-camber turns" and the guy next to him said "oh, you didn't preride? Ouch." Then it was time to start. Lovely. Anyway, it was fun, but I didn't know what was coming, and therefore did not ride with my usual fearless TT spirit. The dead squirrel in the trail didn't help matters any, either! Anyway, I completed the course in due time (albeit slower than many) passing 1 guy and getting passed by David Jurist about halfway through, and almost did a good job of blocking Bart at the end (because I didn't know where the course went...) but alas he got by me anyway :-).

Anyway, my ride was good enough for first place in the women's division. I won...a round of golf at Sandpiper. Too bad I don't really know how to golf!

It was a good chicken ranch turnout, and everyone had fun. The race was really efficiently run. I hope they do it again! A lot of Ranchers did really well, so they should brag! This was sponsored by ChickenRanch and Fastrack, so thanks!

Kimberly

Chickens On The Run

Sent 5-3-09

Hey Chickens, Here's a race report of a slightly different variety. A couple of weeks ago my team won the "Are You Tough Enough" relay race. It is a 65-mile race that starts at Toro Canyon Park in Carpinteria, goes up via Gibraltar to Camino Cielo, which it follows to Refugio Canyon, and then descends into the Santa Ynez valley where it ends at Nojoqui Falls park. Here is a picture of four of us at the top of Gibraltar waiting for our fifth runner to arrive at the handoff spot. I'm in the chicken ranch jacket. Second from the right is Eric Reynolds, who is a former high-school cross country National Champion and ran for UCLA. Scott Ingram, second from the left and Dave Saunders, far right, both ran for UCSB. It was quite interesting running a race on the course we all so often ride. Our winning time was around 7 1/2 hours. We beat the second place team by under 2 minutes. I am proud to add that everyone on my team was over 40.

See you all out on the roads, with or without a bike!

Rod

Come One Come All, Race Around Sandpiper Golf Course!

So, you want to do a race?

Here is a new one that is being put on by the good ole Team Chicken Ranch, sometimes known as the B Team.

Check out the details here. GOOD LUCK!

Piru Time Trial

Gabe, John VanMannekessssss and I went and did the Piru Time Trial
yesterday. The Platinum Team was also represented as Jurist and Steve
Boelter showed up.

Bottom line, I will never do this race again for the following reasons:

1. They start on time. They post the results quickly. They hold the
awards ceremony shortly after posting the results. What the hell is up
with that? Having done USCF races for so many years, I am not used to
this efficiency and I refuse to capitulate to it.

2. The pre-registration line is quicker than the day of registration
line. Again, what idiot promoter treats his pre-paying customers better
than the lazy ones who wait until the last minute?

3. They time you. This is a horrible format for a time trial. The
self timed races are much better. In this format you can't deduct time
for car traffic, leg soreness, or errant wind.

4. They encourage participation, particularly from juniors and women.
As if they are trying to "grow" the sport.

5. The race staff is polite and helpful. Enough said.

6. They charge $20 and post the results on a website typed out. Utter
crap. I'd much rather pay $40 for a mountain bike race and have the
results posted in unreadable scribble weeks later.
7. When calling you to the line, they use your name. I was so
offended. I simply wanted to be referred to as #149.

Take my advice, don't do this race
Blinger.

Firestone Race Reports

I'm catching up a bit on the reports, but these are worth the read. I enjoy sarcasm!



Race was great. They had special up close parking for locals. We all huddled in the morning cold and it was nice to have so many Chickens out there. Barney wore a wonderful Italian loafer to registration. Jelly raced Clydesdale but I will tell you there's no way in hell he's 200 lbs. I demanded a weigh in. Boxers weigh in wearing underwear. I'd like to see Jelly do the same...

Race started on-time versus Sea Otter which starts 1 hour late. I was ill-prepared for an on-time start.
Up the first climb I was in the top 10 and already we were immersed in the 35-39 class. I just don't get it. A lap takes 45 minutes so why do they start everyone in only 1 minute increments. I felt OK and tried to push it a bit without blowing up. The fast guys were gone so I settled into a pace that I could maintain.

Coming into the finish of the first lap, I thought I got lost as they had us go round and round near the pit area. What a bore. It added 1/4 mile to the course of blah. Anyhow I was riding with 1 guy from my class and the leader of the 45-49 class. I might add that the guy leading the 45-49 class who had already made up a minute on me and was beating the entire field was: (i) overweight; (ii) wearing a neoprene knee brace; (iii) riding an old piece of crap that probably weighed 28 lbs; and (iv) had the driest and rustiest chain I've ever seen. You gotta love mountain biking.

Next was the best part of the day for me. I came through the feed zone where my 13 year old son Charlie (also known as Winger) handed me a bottle and said, "Dad, way to go. I love you." As I write this, a tear literally comes to my eye. I am blessed. The rest is just boring.
I attacked the two guys I was riding with (including the overweight guy with the knee brace) and rode away. Thrilling. I didn't stick around for the results but I figure I'm somewhere in 7th. I achieved my life long goal of finally beating the crafty Spaniard, but in fairness he hasn't been training.

Also the times were very fast. I did 1:28 and each lap was the same, 44 minutes. That's faster than I did at the pre-Otter 2 weeks ago and this is a slightly longer course.

Hope everyone had fun.

Bling.


Ditto for me except please make note of the following edits:

1. Add: Cramping in the last 15 minutes of the race and watching 3 guys blow past me like I was standing still - this is not fun.

2. Replace: Blingerman's 6th with 20th for me (when he races with the kids next time, I will be joining Women's 55+. BTW - anyone know a good plastic surgeon?).

3. Insert: Speaking of underwear, why does Ramirez insist on wearing underwear beneath his bibshorts? That's just flipping wrong.
4. Insert additional highlights:

a) For a brief moment, actually thinking I was close to Blinger, then realizing it was Donoho - we had a nice chat and then I proceeded with my race.

b) Not having to lend Ramirez any chamois cream.

c) Being passed by Barney right before an off-camber decent, wondering to myself, "what the heck is he doing racing a MTB after his accident and not having ridden a MTB for 5 years?, I sure hope he doesn't crash", then watching Barney ride right off the trail and crash.

d) Coming through the feed zone and getting a hand up from Doyle who made the long haul to SY just to cheer the team on - a tear came to my eye as well but it was actually from some dust that got kicked up.

e) "Attacking" my PB&J sandwich on the way home.

f) "Racing" immediately back to SB in time for 3 hours of match play tennis with my daughter and some other parent/kid teams...yes I am a mess today!!!!

All kidding aside, a great weekend and great times on the MTB. Glad to be healthy and looking forward to upcoming Ventura SR and Elings Park MTB events.

Bill

More shots from Jesusita Fire

Steve Otero and Geoff Rockwell are Crazy!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Knowles, Greg" <Greg.Knowles@fnf.com>
Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 10:28:13 -0500
Subject: Fw: More shots from Jesusita Fire
To: gregmknowles@gmail.com

Greg Knowles
V. P. Sales/Marketing
FNTG-Santa Barbara
805 259-6435

________________________________

From: Stephen Otero <stephen.m.otero@gmail.com>
To: Stephen Otero <stephen.m.otero@gmail.com>
Sent: Fri May 08 14:00:34 2009
Subject: More shots from Jesusita Fire

In case you're not aware, this fire has gotten completely out of
control. Where we live on the Mesa, it's fine but many areas in the
foothills are either threatened or burning.

I'm happy to report that our friend Geoff's house has made it so far.
There is still a threat and helicopters are flying above him now
dropping water, but the worst is most likely over.

I was able to shoot videos (at Geoff's request) while he attempted to
fight the embers from landing on his home. I hope you can get a feel
for the intensity of the situation.

More still shots have been added here: http://picasaweb.google.com/steveoinsb

Videos can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/steveoinsb

steve

Jesusita Fire!

Chicken Rancher Steve Otero took some photos and posted them for people to see. Check them out and I hope all the Chicken Ranchers are safe and not in any danger. Let us know if there is something we can do for any of you. Thank Steve!