New Motorcycle!

Ha! I wish I was posting about a new motorcycle I had just purchased! No I'm still on the trusty old Tank, Paul's Yamaha WR426. But I think I've found the bike that I would purchase for myself were I in a position to do so!

Behold! I give you the 2008 Husqvarna TXC 510:

Yes, a thing of beauty, power, mystique, and chainsaw...err yeah. Anyways, this lovely beast of a bike was introduced to me while one day browsing bike reviews on the ThumperTalk website (great site by the way...any motorcycle enthusiast should bookmark it).

It actually can be tied back to Paul getting his new KTM. One day while talking with him about it he went over several factors that led him to the decision of that particular bike. I agreed with the factors that he placed importance on: weight, power, and height among others.

After reading the review of the Husky on ThumperTalk I decided to dig a little deeper on it...the more research I did the more it seemed that the Husky trumped Paul's KTM in every area that played a part in his decision on the KTM, but there was one thing that put the icing on the cake: Husqvarna's Race Contingency.

Most manufacturer's offer some sort of race contingency - a program where you race their bike, and they reward you for winning on it. It's really quite a detailed arrangement, but that's the gist of it...it's sort of preliminary to sponsorship. KTM has a race contingency program, but it's pretty limited, as are most of the programs from other manufacturers. This is where Husky flat out blew me away. Their contingency was extremely comprehensive, covering all the major race circuits but nearly all the smaller more local ones too. Their rewards are "Husky bucks", which while not real cash can be used to purchase things from Husky (such as maybe a new bike???)...but Husky rewards cash as well on certain race circuits for the upper level of skill classes, and of course placing high.

So after my initial musings I had to test ride or see a Husky and learn as much as I could about them. The Husky forum on ThumperTalk has been a tremendous help in this regard, but something that's been a big damper on the idea is that there are no Husky dealerships in Utah. There's three in Idaho, one in Colorado, one in Nevada, one in Arizona...we're completely surrounded but nothing local. Bummer.

The closest one is just north of Idaho Falls, which fortunately isn't that far away, but even more fortunate is that it's owned by a friend, Chris Rogers. Chris is a friend through his brother Clint, who races in the same class as Paul and I in the USRA desert circuit. We first met Clint at the Rhino Rally race in St. George back in February. Paul met Chris in March, but I just met him for the first time, at his dealership a couple weekends ago, when I went up there with my dad to try the Husky's out. I rode three of them: the TXC 450, TC 450, and TE 250. I have some thoughts on each. (Check out Husqvarna's website in case you want to read more them.)

First the TE 250:
Pros - lightweight, street legal, fuel injected
Cons - weak power, weird kickstand
The TE is Husky's enduro line and the 250 has a lot going for it. While I listed the weak power and the weird kickstand as cons, they're really not that big of issues. The power can be fixed with modding and tweaking, and the kickstand, while weird, wouldn't take long to get used to (it's spring loaded so its normal position is up...as a result when it's down and the bike is resting on it it pushes the back up higher making getting on or off with the kickstand down much more difficult). The pros outweigh the cons easily...the lightweight bike would be fantastic with more power, street legal would be great in getting to and from local trail rides, and the fuel injection is nice since it eliminates carburetor issues (probably #1 sore spot in maintenance on a motorcycle). This is a great bike with a little work attached to it to make it great. My dad was quite impressed with it and even talked liked he was considering getting one.

The TC 450:
Pros - very lightweight, great suspension, plenty of power
Cons - power delivery too smooth
The TC line is Husky's motorcross line, and the 450 is no slouch. It feels so easy to handle and maneuver and the suspension is fantastic for a stock bike. While there is plenty of power, the delivery of it left me wanting. It's all a matter of choice and preference - there are lots of professional riders who like this type of delivery due to it's predictability and throttle control. I grew up on this kind of power delivery, but since I started racing I have started to like the opposite of smooth delivery - that being a harder and more pronounced hit in the power. The kind where you crank the throttle and the front tire comes off the ground no matter what gear you are in. The TC didn't have it as hard as I like, but it was certainly harder than the TE. But I also don't know if I would like the hard hit if I raced motorcross...I'm not sure if it's a good thing there or not. I putt around on the track occasionally but I am not a motocrosser at all so maybe the TC has a really good delivery for that type of racing. Either way it was enjoyable to ride!

The TXC 450:
Pros - lightweight, easy to handle, great suspension, electric AND kick start, six gears, hard hit/great power delivery, and LOTS of power
Cons - no kickstand, small gas tank
The TXC line is a new line for Husky - meant for Cross Country racing and desert racing. It is also built off of the TC line initially, so it started as a motorcross bike. I wonder if KTM has it similar, in that the SX is the motorcross bike and the XC is their desert racer, and they're both extremely similar.

The TXC 450 was a pure joy to ride. Unlike its motorcross counterpart it had the hit where I wanted it. It felt plenty light and the handling was nothing short of amazing for a stock bike. It felt small underneath me compared to the WR and Paul's KTM even, making it extremely easy to handle and maneuver. The hit wasn't as hard as Paul's KTM, but I don't think that is a bad thing actually...Paul's KTM has unlimited hit and torque it seems, which could get you into trouble more easily. However if I decided I could handle that I've been told that the TXC 450 feels like a smooth delivery system when compared to its big brother the TXC 510, which is the bike I was initially interested in.

No kickstand is a bit of a bummer - even Paul's KTM has one, but I'm sure it wouldn't be a big deal to get used to or to even add one to it. Electric AND kick start is great also, and the electric start works great when in gear (a problem with Paul's bike...he has to be in neutral or it won't start up right away), so I would be sure to get great starts at the races if I used electric there. And the six gears is a huge plus as with any bike I've ridden with only five gears I've found that when I've topped it out I always want more. With six that's much less likely to happen. That's one of the areas that the Husky trumped the KTM. The others were it's dry weight (it being lighter) and stock suspension, as well as the 510 having a bigger engine as well (Paul's is a 505 - not much smaller, but still), and then have electric and kick start options (the KTM is only electric...would be a bummer if you were 100 miles out on the trail and your battery died).

The biggest con in the Husky lineup for all models though is the gas tank size. I'm not sure who's decision that was, but it was a poor one. It would be a big factor right now because I've got a race coming up with 127 mile loop in it...that means I'd need to stop for gas at least twice in that loop to make it to the pits. That would be a killer on my time, making it so I'd end up having to battle the same people for positions more than once. There is a company that is reportedly making bigger tanks (IMS) but they're not out yet and supposedly there won't be many of them due to IMS not wanting to over supply. The issue is surrounding the fact that the 2008 bikes are different frames and setups than their previous ones, so making after market tanks would mean they can only be sold to 2008 owners. I guess that's a big risk for them.

However I'm still very, very impressed, and to put it bluntly, I WANT ONE! Feel free to donate to the cause! Haha! Wouldn't that be great - I can see the headline now in the local newspaper, "Man gets new motorcycle thanks to generous donations from his blog readers"! Well I can dream right? Anyways, Husky has a new fan, and I have a new dream bike.

P97(?)X Week 4: Recovery Week

So Week Four has been a little rough...not in the traditional sense of the word though. Rough in that having just come from a four day vacation, I've struggled a great deal in getting back into a routine. The schedule for the recovery week is a little easier - no hardcore weight training days. Mostly yoga, stretching, and some cardio.

What I also mean by rough is that I missed even more days this week than I missed last week. And by that I mean that I missed them all. Week Four is the recovery week...a slower pace, take it a little easier. Well I took it MUCH easier, as in I didn't do a single workout!

So what to do? Pick up with Week Five, which starts Phase Two, or just do Week Four having taken a whole week off? I still haven't quite made up my mind, but I definitely seem to be leaning toward picking up with Week Four's workouts.

A plus of doing this is then I have another week to decide something else concerning the program. I'm a little confused because the idea behind this program is to switch it up a lot so you don't ever plateau and slow or stop your progression...well Phase Two is exactly like Phase One with only one workout different. Instead of Shoulders and Arms on Day Three of the week I do Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps. I like the sound of that workout - it having two areas I think could use a great deal of enhancing...but I'm confused about that being the only difference...doesn't seem like a very big switch from Phase one and thus seeming like it would cause me to plateau.

So my decision I am considering is switching out another one...or two. I'm going to watch through Plyometrics and maybe Back and Biceps or Chest and Back and see what they're like. I may switch out Core Synergistics for Plyometrics and one of those other two for Legs and Back...hard to say though - the leg routine in Legs and Back is pretty good and I need it for the races for sure. So another week to decide...probably a good thing. Oh! In other news, I got a chin up bar...should be getting here in a bit, but I'm excited for that as whenever chin ups are required in the workouts I've just been doing push ups.

But another reason, and this one probably trumps all - taking a full week off seems to have undone a lot of the progress I've made. Not too happy with that! So with this, I've now extended P90X to P97X...adding another seven days. Hopefully that's all that gets added...let it be known that of a surety P90X is better than P97X...adding those seven days of doing nothing just sets you back!

So next P90X report will likely be about the week this report was supposed to be about. Yeah, the story of my life it seems! Anywho, I'm going to try and get some of my race reports in here to mix it up...been a lot of P90X posts in a row now. Stay tuned! Because I know just how exciting I am to read about! (I really do, my wife is SURE to let me know, EXACTLY how exciting my posts are...she holds nothing back!)

P90X Weeks 2 and 3

Got behind a bit with the posts - my apologies if you were checking it now and again and didn't see any updates.

I've completed three weeks of P90X now and am happy with the progress. Workouts that were extremely difficult at first have become doable, and instead of dread I look forward to each workout with anticipation.

I ran into some trouble in Week Three - I had a crazy 24 hour flu one night which made me miss a day. I picked up where I left off the next day, but then a vacation weekend came up and I missed another day due to getting ready to go. On the vacation I attempted to catch up by doing two workouts in one day...which caught me up, and kicked my butt at the same time. Coming home from that vacation brought me into Week Four, where I'm now three days into the week, but haven't done a single workout. It is supposed to be a "recovery week" - so the program isn't the same and it's mostly easier routines and stretching or cardio. Next week begins the second phase which will be tougher than the first, and different of course - part of keeping one step ahead of my body so I don't plateau.

What to do? Try and make up the three missed workouts, doing two a day until I'm caught up? Or just pretend I didn't miss those three days and pick up where I would be? I can't decide...I'm leaning toward the latter, especially since doing two in a day last week took so much of my energy. Week Four's report should say what I ended up doing (if I can get on top of the blog and make one on time!).

Anyways the program is going well despite the couple mishaps along the way. Here are some pictures (scattered throughout the post) to show my progress (if any) - these were taken at the official end of Week Three. It's hard to see it sometimes - I feel way better, but these pictures don't look a whole lot better than the "before" pictures. I know it's only been three weeks so I probably shouldn't be expecting any huge change yet, but anyways have a look.

P90X: Week 1

So I thought at first I would take a new set of pictures each week to track my P90X progress but it's actually been nine days since I started and I'm already a couple days late with this report as it is. Adding pictures - well it probably wouldn't happen until the end of two weeks. So with that, I'll attempt to post pictures of the progress at the end of Week Two. Hopefully I can deliver, because I know my fans need their entertainment! And I need their encouragement (teasing?)!

Anyways, a few words about my first week with P90X. I did 7 different workouts, one each day of the week:
1. Core Synergistics
2. Cardio X
3. Shoulders and Arms
4. Yoga X
5. Legs and Back
6. Kenpo X
7. X Stretch

If you are familiar with the program at all you may recognize that as the Lean Routine - a little more cardio than the Classic Routine and less muscle work. As mentioned in the original P90X post I chose this routine to get warmed up and used to P90X in general. And I'm glad I did! Looking at what the Classic would have been, I may not have been able to finish one week!

This is serious stuff and very intense, but it's great too - I already feel much better even if the results aren't completely visible. By the seventh day I was very sore, but the X Stretch workout was great to loosen me back up and get me ready for the next week, which is a repeat of the first. I do that same sequence three weeks in a row, then it changes up for Week Four, then a new sequence for the next three weeks after that.

By far the hardest particular workout I've done is the Yoga workout. Last summer when visiting my older brother Matt I made fun of him for doing Yoga occasionally...had I had any idea what Yoga could be like I wouldn't have (sorry Matt)! I have only ever felt that level of exhaustion after 60+ miles in a desert race.

I'm already into Week Two a couple days, but I'm feeling good. Entertainment...err pictures coming at the end of the week with the report. Teasing...err encouragement in the form of comments is appreciated as always!

P90X

It's been a dream of mine for as long as I have been an adult to be a model for Abercrombie and Fitch and see my rogue figure on one of their giant posters hanging in the front display of their stores across America. This is a true statement.

And what I mean by that is, false. It is a blatant lie, but it is an entertaining lie for it is laced with sarcasm (which on the Internet you are sure to not detect). And in the end, isn't that the real truth? The answer, is no.

However if I were to pursue such a course in life I have found the means to do so: Beach Body's P90X program. But my goal is not so lofty as to have women gaze at my amazing body in malls all over the country. My goal is to be able to complete these races without running out of energy halfway through; my goal is to have the endurance necessary to push and give it my all for the full length of the race. While I'm sure my skill isn't good enough to win the races, my skill is at least at a higher level than my endurance. Therefore my endurance is holding me back the most (a fact you will see as more race reports are posted) at this time and if I can fix that, I can focus on my skill more. I think I could improve several placements if I could just give it my all the whole race...placing 1st Overall Amateur? I'll need to improve my skill first, but I think I can be top 20 to top 15 with my current skill if I can just last the whole race.

Now before you look at their site and think, "Okay you're doing it wrong - that's just going to get you looking better." I have to let you know that a lot of dirtbike racers use this program, both motorcrossers and desert racers. And after learning more about it I can see why - this program is intense and really elevates your whole physique to a higher level of fitness. A higher level of fitness will translate into the endurance needed for the races.

So luckily I have a friend who had just done the P90X program and offered to let me give it a test run. It is a pretty comprehensive program involving 12 different workouts each on their own DVD, it also includes a diet program and supplement program. Since I'm just borrowing it I only be doing the workouts first, but I figure if I like it I will make the purchase and do the entire system.

Watching the first DVD that explains the program there are basically 3 different P90X routines: Lean, Classic, and Doubles. Even though I've been racing at this point and consider myself in decent shape, this program is intense and so I'm starting with the Lean routine first. After 90 days of this, if I'm happy with it the workouts (which I fully expect to be), I'm going to buy the full program and then proceed to do the Classic, and then Doubles. Based on what the first DVD went over, the Doubles routine sounds like the one that will be the most useful for desert racing as it essentially is the same as the Classic routine only more of it (2 hours on select days of the week instead of 1).

I'm excited for this! The program calls for before and after pictures, so here are my before pictures! Don't laugh too hard if you can help it! I'll post a weekly update with my progress so check back for laughs...err inspiration! (I apologize for the poor layout...blogger leaves a lot to be desire in terms of layout. If you are familiar with blogger and know some tricks to better layouts, let me know please!)

2008 Season: USRA Desert Series

Between the 2007 and 2008 season Paul became even more committed to racing; he bought a new motorcycle: a 2008 KTM 505XC-F. During the 2007 season the trusty Yamaha had done well, but occasionally Paul was left wanting for more power or speed. The KTM delivers in this area extraordinarily well. It's pretty much the most amazing bike I've ever ridden, and I'm sure he'd agree (that's why he bought it, right?). (Picture: Behold the glory that is KTM's 505XC-F)

This turned out to be a great deal for me as well because Paul decided he would keep the Yamaha, and as a very generous act he allowed me to use the Yamaha for the 2008 season. I was then and am still very happy and grateful that Paul decided to do this as I am now pursuing the race dream and loving every minute of it (even the roost!).

So when this all transpired I took a look at the upcoming season and decided to pick out what races I would do. Though it was more than 6 months earlier the memory of my race at Buzzards in 2007 was still fresh in my memory, so I decided that I wouldn't seek an early death and only participate in a handful of races. I had been working out at the gym off and on without super dedicated regularity since the Buzzard's race in 2007, but I still knew I was in no shape to tackle a full season.

The first race this year would be January 26, the Buzzard's Mesquite GP in Mesquite, Nevada. I figured I would go to this one for several reasons: I really liked the Buzzard's race I did in 2007 with Paul, I have ridden around Mesquite for several years and knew the area pretty well, and the winter had been pretty harsh and some sun would be nice.

After that I planned on doing the AMA National Hare and Hound put on by the Desert Foxes in Wendover, Nevada on March 15. This same group put on a race in the same area in 2007 and Paul had placed 1st place Overall Novice. He mentioned that the terrain was more what we were used to, and the Foxes also had a reputation for fun courses, so this seemed like one not to miss.

Third I would go to Monticello, Utah to race in the Rough Riders AMA National Hare Scrambles on June 15. Paul had done this one in 2007 as well and had had a lot of fun there. It also was in a cool area and good for a camping weekend with the family.

In August there was a race planned that sounded very intriguing - Desert Foxes were putting one on in Bryce, Utah, which sounded like a great area to ride in. It would be on August 16, my oldest child's birthday, so we could make a camping weekend out of it too...and as an added bonus I could place really well hopefully since it would be my 4th race and I will have gotten more into the swing of things.

To finish the season, the Buzzards had a race planned for November 1 which they hadn't announced the location yet, but given my experience with them in 2007 I figured it would be good.

You'll notice that I did not plan to do the Sage Riders races in 2008. This is because I figured I wasn't up to par yet and able to handle their races, nor would I be when their races came up (first one by them was on April 5). I could still remember vividly Paul's first race at Sage Riders, and the last race of 2007 for him had also been a Sage Riders race and he had said it was even more brutal than his first race. No, I needed more time before I could tackle one of their brutal endurance and skill tests.

After I got my schedule all planned out I was ready to go. I signed up for the USRA membership and picked my division, class, and number: Amateur, Open Class, #65. I had been #65 during my ice hockey days as a teenager so it has a bit of nostalgic value for me. I chose the Open class for a couple reasons: Paul was in it, so it would be cool to be "competing" with him (I use that loosely...I knew I was in no shape to really compete with him), and the Open class is the only one that doesn't have a letter identifier next to your number. Call me shallow...I didn't want my nostalgic number being tainted by the presence of an unwanted letter to designate my class!

I chose the Amateur division after a lot of discussion with Paul. He had done Novice his first year, and I was inclined to do the same. However he explained that if he could go back he would have probably started in Amateur, knowing what he knows now. And that is, the Novices are typically the most numerous at the races and the skill range in the Novice class is much more varied than in any other. This adds up some chaotic times during a race that can hinder you a great deal despite your own ability. Paul assessed that both of us were at least of Amateur ability, and that we'd have more fun there since we'd be starting out ahead of the Novices and thus avoiding the crowds associate with that division. At the time I trusted his direction but was somewhat apprehensive.

It's pretty fun typing this up and reading it knowing full well that I'm telling it just as it was...and looking back and noticing how blissfully ignorant I was. I talked to Paul a great deal during all this and he humored me with my talking's and ideas about it...I have to wonder now if he just had a big smile on his face the whole time knowing that I truly had no idea what was coming my way. As a teaser for posts to come, know that at this point in the season so far (today's date is May 6 and as noted in another post I've already participated in four races) it has played out pretty much nothing like what I had planned.