Name: Dan Kimball
Date registered: January 25, 2012
Jul 02
Having raced at XTERRA Tsali earlier this month, I knew how fun the trails were and how Bryson City is such a great town. The Tsali trail system is broken up into 4 loops; Right, Left, Mouse Branch and Thompson. Right and Left are open to bikes one day and the other 2 on the next. Since the race was just on the Right loop, I did not get the full Tsali exposure. I planned a trip with the kids to Bryson City for some fun in the mountains and to discharge from a long first half on the year. We got a cabin on the outside of town and had a blast. Tubing, jet boat rides and endless turns off the rope swing were definitely what the doctor ordered. We even took a trip down Rt. 28 to check out the Fontana Dam.
Highest Dam East of the Mississippi – 480’
![clip_image002[4]](http://tailwindcycles.com/team/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/clip_image0024.jpg "clip_image002[4]")
What a great view
Since I am back to base training, in order to get my aerobic engine to the next level for nationals later this fall, I took advantage of the opportunity to do my Saturday, long ride at Tsali. On Saturday, it is the Mouse Branch and Thompson trails that are open. With no idea of what to expect, due to the fact that the only other time I was there was to race, and the trail went by so fast, I planned on a few easy laps to stay in the prescribed aerobic zone. Man, that is the perfect trail to just flow and have a blast! It is so much fun to ride that should be a must for anyone’s riding list. The best way I can describe those trails is: FATS meets Pisgah. They are super flowing trails in the heart of the Smoky Mountain. There’s nothing technical there, so it is a ride for everyone and one of the most fun rides around. Just because it is not technical does not mean you can’t challenge yourself. In 4 hours of riding I was able to accumulate 4,900’ of elevation gain over ~50 miles. That’s not bad for a base ride. For those of you that keep track of stats it was an average pace of 12.3MPH at a HR of 128. That is one fast zone 1 hr ride with plenty of elevation. Now if you really wanted to push it, you have the opportunity to fly off the mountain.
![clip_image002[6]](http://tailwindcycles.com/team/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/clip_image0026.jpg "clip_image002[6]")
Beautiful rhododendron tunnels
![clip_image002[8]](http://tailwindcycles.com/team/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/clip_image0028.jpg "clip_image002[8]")
Even some spots to cool off
On Sunday I was scheduled to swim for an hour in the lake. How could I pass up another chance to ride at Tsali while I was there? So off to the trailhead I went, this time for a lap on the Right and Left loops. Those loops were very similar to what I rode on Saturday, with maybe a touch more climbing and descending along with a few more rocks (but similar stats). That ride was wicked fast, fun and just a great all-round place to ride. It was so much better than swimming. Besides, the swimming pool was waiting for me on Monday anyway.
One of the great things about the National Forest is that there is so much room to spread out and get away from the crowd without giving up too much convenience since the amenities are awesome. Tsali even has its own bike wash station.
![clip_image002[10]](http://tailwindcycles.com/team/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/clip_image00210.jpg "clip_image002[10]")
Forget the photo, get on the bike and pedal.
![clip_image002[12]](http://tailwindcycles.com/team/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/clip_image00212.jpg "clip_image002[12]")
Beautiful Lake Fontana
May 06
Niner has revolutionized the 29er mountain bike world as of late. With the introduction of the Jet 9 RDO, Race Day Optimized, Niner has taken the already proven Jet 9 to a completely different level.
Full carbon and stiff as can be, the RDO is comfortable in any conditions, perfect for the ultimate trail bike as well as the top of the line race machine. Niner has developed a platform that will let you use your imagination to build your perfect bike.
That is exactly what I tried to do during the previous off-season. I believe efforts were a success and I love this bike. It is super light, stiff and responsive. The 100mm of rear travel with the Kashima shock is perfect for everything from the local Charlotte trails to Pisgah and beyond.
In the past, I was a tried and true SRAM fan. After messing around with other drivetrain systems, I came back to SRAM and will not ride anything else. Therefore, I built this bike up with the SRAM XX drivetrain. It has perfect shifting, braking and power transfer.
On the front end I bounced around between the RockShox SID and the Lefty. After talking with everyone I could, I called Jake at Project 321 and he built me the best front end a bike could have: a carbon Cannondale Lefty, with 110mm of travel. It has proven to be a very compliant and stiff front end that puts the bike exactly where you want to go.
For the hoops I went with two sets of wheels, both from Stans. The first a training pair of Stans Crest, and the second were a pair of Stans Gold reserved only for race day situations. After only two rides, the Crest wheels taco’d on me and sent me sliding. This didn’t happen on a huge drop or bunch of roots. They simply folded over during a tight, high-speed turn. This was a huge disappointment and made me decide to unload the Gold’s (before I had even ridden them) due to the inability of the Crest wheels to hold up. In the past, I had heard of the flex associated with the Stans wheels but never before experienced such a thing, especially on a tame trail with nothing that would cause this to happen. I have ridden my American Classic wheels for a year now, taking them off everything from large drops to Farlow Gap with no structural issues.
Enter Project 321 Part two. I called Jake and spoke (maybe begged and pleaded) to him about the ENVE wheels that he builds. Needing a set in less than a week (for an upcoming race) he hand built me the best wheels I have ever been on and shipped the very next morning. These wheels are stiff and the input from the rider is amazing. I can not wait to put them to the full test shortly.
For those that might say 100mm is not enough travel, Niner makes you feel like you have way more under you than is there. Riding the original Jet 9 with only 80mm of travel through all the trails of Pisgah and Dupont with no issues, the RDO offers even more. The major upside is that their suspension is so good that you do not lose all the power you apply to the pedals (like other full suspension bikes). Their bikes respond perfect and do what they were intended to.
The Niner RDO is the perfect choice for any application. You can build it from the most basic of rides to the Cadillac of your dreams. Come down to Tailwinds and talk to Dave about getting on one of your own.
Aug 07
Battling the extreme heat this summer has bestowed upon the South has been quite a challenge when it comes to racing. After riding for over 6 hours in the Off Road Assault on Mount Mitchell last weekend, I was feeling the toll of this summer.
XTERRA Panther Creek is a relatively local race being just over the Smokey Mountains. It is a fun course that is not extremely difficult but keeps you honest by making you work the whole time without much rest. The race starts with a 2 lap swim in the nice and warm Cherokee Lake. This year it was a part obstacle swim as a fallen tree intersected the back leg of each lap. First lap I thought there was enough water to swim over the tree and picked up a wooden passenger in my suit.
Usually this race does not have the highest attendance. This year there were around 10 competitors looking to get on the podium. They decided to start us in 2 waves. Marcus, my son Danny and I were in the first wave. We started off pretty quick and it was one of the more violent swims. I am not sure if this was because people were trying to swim beyond their abilities or just plain congestion. Once past the first turn it started to open up. I felt pretty tired in the upper body from the race last weekend, but I tried to keep a pace that kept me in contention and did not cause any issues. I ended up exiting the water in the top ten. I saw Marcus in transition as I came up the ramp. I quickly removed my Synergy Syn-Skim speed suit and got mike bike.
The first mile or so I used to get my legs warmed up. It is a strange feeling to do a sprint race the week after riding 70+ miles off road with over 11,000 feet of climbing. At around mile 1 there is a cool rock climb that I ended up throwing my chain on. It was slick and I had to roll back down and walk it up. After I put the chain back on the bike I took off and got the blood flowing in my legs. I was surprised to see that no one had passed me during that mishap. I saw 2 riders ahead and quickly passed them. Riding alone through the next 2-3 miles I picked off 2 more riders and then saw Marcus ahead on a climb. I kept my pace consistent and caught up to him around mile 4.5 of the first lap. Funny thing is that this is the same place we passed last year. I rode along picking off one more before starting the second lap. On the second lap I picked it up a bit more but was still riding slower than normal. I thought I was in 4th or 5th on the bike but was surprised when I hit transition in 2nd place.
It was time to throw on my INOV-8 X-Talon 190s and take off on the run. I couldn’t have been 10 yards into the run when Bence Roemmer caught up to me. Again this race was like Déjà vu. This is the same place we passed each other last year. I ran with Bence for the first mile or so but he pulled away from me. My legs felt heavy and slow especially when running. I figured if I kept a constant pace on the flats and hills it would make the run more efficient. As I was approaching the biggest hill of the climb I looked back and could see Marcus across the field behind me. I figured he would try and sprint up to me. Since we race in different divisions I was not concerned and would have like some conversation over the last 2 miles or so. I kept my pace constant but ended up running out the race on my own. Even though I felt slow I ended up running a 6:53/mile pace. Slower than normal but still good enough for 4th fastest run of the day.
In the end I finished 4th overall only 2 minutes out of 2nd. Had this been an “A” race the effort level would have been much different. XTERRA Canada is coming in a month and that is the only race that matters to me this season. I feel that everything is coming together for that race and I can not wait to get to Whistler.
Marcus got 5th overall and 1st in his age Group.
It was great to be able to get to the finish and watch my son Danny came across the line for 3rd in his division.
Jun 17
The family at Team Unlimited and XTERRA sure know how to turn one of the best race weekends of the season up a notch. Enter the 2011 XTERRA East Championships and Trail Run weekend. By far one of the most fun and interactive events on the circuit for the whole family. This event proves how important the total experience is to XTERRA.
![clip_image002[7]](http://tailwindcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/clip_image0027.jpg "clip_image002[7]")
The events were set into motion by Team Extreme as they sky dived into the transition area to pay respect to all of those who have served our country. From there the festivities started. Richmond had everything from an interactive Kids Zone that provided a virtual simulator of the bike course to a kids fun/ obstacle race. I could not keep my kids of the bikes as they were having so much fun.
Or off of the obstacle course.
The first day was for the trail run. Many hundreds of participants came to test their abilities on either the 10k or 21k course. Most would not expect the technical trails ahead of them, being that this race is staged from downtown Richmond. But with river crossings, bridges and many miles of technical single track ahead, there were surprises for everyone.
My wife entered the 21k trail run. XTERRA really makes it great that these weekends allow activities for everyone in the whole family. Promoting overall health and wellbeing is very important to them and it enhances the experience greatly. While my wife was out conquering the challenges of the trail run, my children were tearing up the kid zone.
By the end of the events on Saturday, everyone had a great time. Now it was time to et ready for the XTERRA East Championships. Going through a regular routine of double checking the gear and eating right closed out the day. Up at 5AM to get some food in me and off to secure a prime spot in transition.
The early bird gets the worm. In Richmond, with so many competitors, end racks are not in abundance. Getting in early to stake your claim really makes a difference when you want to get in and out of transition easily.
Look at all these people. Transition was not even ½ full yet.
The race was great. They added some distance to the swim and sent us out in a zig zag pattern. This I like much better than staring at a single buoy way off in the distance. After the swim and a decent run up to transition it was time for a 2 lap bike of one of the best courses on the circuit. This bike course is fun with a capital F. I enjoyed every bit of the ride and looked forward to the run. The run is unique as you start by leaving the city behind and climb over the notorious “Mayan Ruins” to enter the single track trails. On these trails you experience all kinds of adventures from river crossings to hurdling roots like Carl Lewis.
Richmond is one of the best races and experiences available. Team Unlimited makes this a true family experience.
Apr 07
Want your runs to feel as if you are floating on air and your perceived exertion is way lower than usual? Then get in a pair of INOV-8 Road – 233s. INOV-8 just released a complete line of road shoes to compliment their already extensive line of the best trail running shoes available. I have been running in their shoes for all of my on-road, and off-road training so I was extremely excited with the release of their new models. I recently wore the FlyRoc 310s during my 3rd place overall finish at the Bel Monte 50 Ultra-Marathon, so I can not wait to tear up the run courses this season in their shoes.
I have been using the 233s for a few weeks now and all I can say is “WOW”. Right out of the box they are fast, light and super responsive. No need for break in here, as these shoes fit true to size, and make you feel like you are running in slippers. What a great way to experience minimalistic running. INOV-8 offers different levels of protection with all of their shoes depending on your tastes. This is definitely a shoe that anyone, from the casual runner looking for more performance to the super competitive athlete looking for that extra push to shave seconds, should be wearing.
I am glad to announce that Tailwind Cycles and Multisport is now carrying INOV-8 shoes. Come on in to see Dave and let’s get you into a pair. See below what INOV-8 has to say about the new 233s and the Road-X line up.
“Light, responsive, fast. Legendary performances are empowered by the natural running characteristics of this shoe. The 2 Arrow Shoc-Zone™ offers scintillating performance as a race day shoe for club runners, whilst also providing sufficient under foot protection for the elite to use regularly. The Dynamic Fascia Band™ is imbedded in between the midsole and outsole for maximum efficiency and power transfer with each stride.”
“TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF AND GO FOR A RUN…
Immediately you’ll notice your running style changes. You’ll land more on the forefoot and less on the heel. Your foot will naturally land on the outside edge and roll (pronate) inwards, absorbing and then releasing the energy of each stride. Running barefoot (or naturally) is associated with fewer acute and chronic injuries to the ankle and lower limbs*.
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY?
After thousands of years of evolution, the human foot is perfectly adapted to accommodate variations in terrain and, with each step, changes its mechanical characteristics from a flexible platform to a rigid propulsive lever.
Our philosophy is to design products around the natural biomechanics of the human body. Putting the foot closer to the ground allows it to do what it does best and helps every runner to develop a natural efficient running style.
WE ARE NOT SUGGESTING YOU RUN BAREFOOT THOUGH…
Rocks, scree, stones, mud, grass, bush, thorns. Asphalt, tarmac, concrete, stone. Running tackles a huge variety of equally unforgiving terrain and it is simply not practical to run without shoes. Your feet need protection.
Each inov-8™ shoe protects the foot, providing the wearer with a secure and intimate fit that’s almost like running barefoot.
I couldn’t agree more. See you at the races!
Apr 01
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With temperatures in the Carolinas hovering in the high 70s to low 80s, starting an ultra-marathon in the pitch black, at 32 degree temperatures on the low land, was a bit of a shock. Luckily the excitement of what I was about to encounter and the excellent presentation of the event kept the cold at bay. With a winter storm warning pending and light a couple hours away, hundreds of us took the journey into the George Washington National Forest for an epic challenge.
( Elevation Profile – Big hills equal big thrills )
Coming into the 2011 season I had a wish-list of races to do for “fun”, rather than competition. One of those was an ultra-marathon. I chose the Bel Monte Endurance Run for a few reasons: proximity to my home, fit for my schedule and reputation as a grueling adventure. It did not disappoint on the latter. When you look at the run times and course records for this event, it is evident that there is some serious terrain to cover. That is so true. With almost 13,000 vertical feet of elevation change and a course that is either frozen tundra or technical rock, you better be ready for some running.
Out of the gate, all of the participants fought for position within the first 100 meters, as we funneled into single-track trail, at 6ish in the morning. Myself and my buddy Bjorn, were able to get position in the front 10 or twelve. Now the pace of this race was not like your typical trail race, it was much slower. This is primarily due to the fact that you have a much longer distance to travel to the finish line. Within the first mile I had to pass a few runners to keep with the top ten. Our goal was to treat this as a long training run and base the pace on our heart rate. We did exactly that. Within a few miles everyone established position and the crowd really thinned out. We ran up some of the steepest trails I have ever been on and down some of the most technical of descents. The time flew as it was great to run with a friend and not really worry about where we finished. Instead, we enjoyed the experience. Coming in to the race, I was not able to get a run in of longer than 15 miles, at most once a week, as it would interfere with my training for the upcoming triathlon season. This had me wondering about how I would do against a field of accomplished ultra-marathon runners. I felt good the entire time. I used much less nutrition than I had planned. This is where the superiority of Honey Stinger`s products really showed off. I was able to fuel the entire race with only Honey Stinger Waffles and Honey Stinger Chews. There were no issues at all and I felt perfect the entire time. Also to note were the shoes I chose. Given the distance and style of race, this is definitely something to consider. I was torn between my short distance INOV-8 Roclite 285s and the heavier soled Flyroc 310s. I went the path of cautiousness, strapped on the Flyroc 310s, and am glad I did. These shoes performed great and protected my feet from the unforgiving terrain.
The views were spectacular! The mixed terrain and natural challenges were also a pleasant, yet painful, surprise. I think my feet actually spoke to me after the race and said “ rock “ is a new 4-letter word.
As we came to the finish, and crossed the line, I was told that I had taken 3rd place overall and 1st in my division. I was floored! Not too shabby for a “training run.” I later found out that I was only 20 minutes out of 1st overall. As always, I spend the entire ride home second-guessing my strategy, but definitely not disappointed with the outcome. I guess I will have to go back next year and run it a bit harder to get the big trophy. This is a spectacular event for anyone looking for a challenge, and a bit of quiet time in the forest. It’s probably one of the best, organized events I have been to.
********** MALE 50K TOP WINNER ***********
Place Name City St
===== =================== === ===========
1 Brad Hinton Strasburg VA
2 Dwight Shuler Asheville NC
3 Daniel Kimball Fort Mill SC
Jamie Burton