SCOBIE.COM

La Ruta 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:11:32 -0800

It’s almost too much to try and summarize this experience into one report. Looking back, it could fill a book. I think I will start by giving you some of the vital statistics of the event:
Starting on the Pacific coast (Jaco Beach) we rode 240+ miles in 4 days. Sea level to over 10,000 feet in elevation. We experienced temperatures from 85F and 100% humidity to < 50F and pouring rain. We climbed over 25,000 feet during the race. We experienced thigh deep mud, waist deep rivers, punishing boulderous downhills, 50 MPH descents, torrential rains, slippery bridges, miles of railroad, flat tires, dump trucks, traffic, and finished by dropping down on to the beach at the Caribbean Sea. And during that time we had camaraderie from friends, team mates, strangers, fellow racers, and family afar.

For the record, my finish placing was 39th overall out of 250+ starters and 8th in the Masters Men 30-39 field.

It really was an extra-ordinary experience and I would be remiss if I didn’t call out a few people including our team of local Costa Ricans that made the experience the best it could be.
First, I have to thank my wonderful, beautiful wife for being so supportive when I raised the possibility of leaving her for a whole week while I traveled halfway down the world for this adventure. I LOVE YOU Kristi.
Alvaro “el jefe” - our unofficial support coordinator and bike parts dealer while in CR. THANK YOU for everything you did for us.
Seymour our transportation and equipment manager and chief support resource. YOU ROCK!
Andreas (and Adriana) our unofficial coach (and fellow racer). THANK YOU for your support, advice and guidance during our navigation of this crazy race!
Eduardo our masseuse and support Lieutenant. I am sure we couldn’t have risen to the challenge each day without your focused efforts!
Alejandro (and Miriella sp?) our on road and off road motivation. THANK YOU for your companionship, support and experience.
Alejandro (the laywer), Walter, and anyone else that I might have forgotten but rendered us aid or encouragement on the course. THANK YOU, thank you, thank you.
Finally, I have to thank my two team mates with whom I shared this awesome adventure. Ron C and Ron R. I couldn’t ask for better team mates, colleagues, room mates, and partners in crime.

Rather than take you through the day by day excitement of the race, I thought a brief description of highlights and low points might be in order...
HIGHLIGHT - breaking the top 50 on day one after my expectations were much lower!
LOW POINT - hitting the 40+% grade on the opening climb of day two. What happened to 20% average grade? I guess that includes the flats and the vertical climbs!
HIGHLIGHT - coasting my bike to Seymour or Eduardo at the end of the day and getting handed a hotel key. This is what professionals feel like?
LOW POINT - running head on into a dump truck.
HIGHLIGHT - getting up after running head on into a dump truck and not being broken (me or the bike).
LOW POINT - starting day 3 with a 3+ hour climb.
HIGHLIGHT - railing the descent down the back side of the volcano and chumping two guys in the city for a 33rd place finish overall.
LOW POINT - riding 5 1/2 hours in the pouring rain on the final day.
HIGHLIGHT - dropping off an 18 inch step onto Limon Beach (and over the finish line) in perfect unison with Ron Castia.

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this happen for me! To all you bikers out there reading this report - put this race on your calendar in the next couple of years. You won’t be disappointed.

Corey

Bikes, bikes and more bikes!

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:55:09 -0800

It was a decent week on all fronts, but in particular the bikeaholic in me was well fed this week!

First, I added another pony to the stable. Yes, that’s right. Another bike. How could I need another bike? (you ask)
Easy. I broke one. About a month ago, I was forced to shoot my trusty ‘99 Specialized FSR after it broke a leg - umm - I mean broke a link (in the suspension that is). I diagnosed the damage, and after some research decided that a transplant would cost as much as just raising a new one from a colt. So with a little trepidation, I decided to put the old girl out to pasture permanently.

In the mean time, I quickly started a new love affair with a young mare at my local barn (Cyclepath Pleasanton, ask for Glenn). Our relationship soon blossomed and I couldn’t wait to take her home. Alas, in this time of economic crisis I felt it prudent to take is slow, so I waited for a few weeks whilst my new mount was beautified just a little.

Finally the day came this past Thursday and my wife and beautiful daughter accompanied me to Cyclepath for the final transaction. We went home together and I spent a little time on final touches on Thursday night before our maiden voyage the next day. (Really with the reflectors? I know it’s the law and all, but do all bikes really need to come with reflectors mounted?)

On Friday, I had occasion to take her for a trot around the local butt kicking free ride trails. Let me assure you, neither of us were disappointed. Neighbor Ron was my sidekick for the inaugural ride and we did our best to find her limits. She runs like a thoroughbred, corners like a quarter horse, and floats across the washboard like a lounge chair!! Needless to say I am thrilled with the new girl and can’t wait to continue our relationship journey together.

Race Report - Saturday’s LARPD CX - Livermore

After a solid prep week I was looking forward to this weekend’s racing. I am yet to win a Master’s B 35+ race in this series, although I have three 2nd place finishes this year. Today was chilly but clear and the rain that everyone was predicting didn’t show this morning. 3rd in points going into today’s race, I though I was being handed a gift when I didn’t see either of my leaders at the start line (Greg Gallupo from IVCT is in 2nd). But then, out of the corner of my eye I spotted the points leader - my nemesis. Phillip Hynes of MAKO has been handily beating me for several weeks in a row.

The B’s line up and the whistle blows. We all fire off the line and I get a decent start and a decent clip. I went wide into the first corner wide and in about 8th. The first half of the first lap is familiar and predictable. Then - we get to the stair run. This is the first time this year (for me) that the stairs in Livermore stadium have been in play and going into this obstacle in a gaggle of front runners is a little unnerving. Johnny C. and Jim V. gave me the 3 minute “shoulder the bike” tutorial before the race so I do my best to smoothly dismount, shoulder and run up the stairs in traffic. The stairs are slow and the front group compresses.

Things string out a little in the remainder of the 1st lap and through the first 1/2 of the second. I stick with MAKO knowing that he is my man to beat in the pack. Soon we find ourselves out front and gapping the rest of the field. We come back to the stairs and I go into the obstacle in 2nd or 3rd. Thank goodness for a 34” inseam because by the time we top out I have moved out front and have clear course ahead of me. I am not sure about the lead spot because the wind is significant in a few parts of the course but I think to myself that I will pull for another 1/2 lap and if my shadow is still with me then I will ask him to pull for a bit.

As we proceed through the 3rd lap I manage to open a gap on MAKO and find myself solo at the front of the race. I pull hard for a little and judge the gap. There are a few B’s that are holding the gap well but MAKO is dropping a little at a time. I manage to hold a decent pace for the next three laps as they count down to the finish. Clear course is easy to navigate and I concentrate on my lines. “Smooth is fast”

Finally we come around the last lap, and although I hold a healthy lead there is definitely someone making a move off the front of the trailing field. He is closing me a little but probably won’t catch so long as I keep my pace. Then, all of a sudden I look back and he is gone!! I see him in one of the corners, dusty and re-mounting his chain. Obviously a wash out in the gravel. With that, my gap to 2nd has opened to a healthy and safe level so I sit up a little, make sure of my safety in the course details, and float home to a long awaited 1st place finish. As I come around the final corner I hear from a team mate “how about a salute?” so I quickly draw the #1 finger from my holster and oblige with a big grin as I coast across the line!!!

An excellent day of racing. The stars obviously aligned for one brief moment. I will definitely venture to more competitive grounds in 2009’s CX season.

Corey

Cowtown, Winterpeg and Turkey Day

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:29:29 -0800

November has been a busy month for the new configuration of the Scobie family. We had occasion to visit Corey’s homeland with a weekend trip to Calgary and Winnipeg where we introduced family and friends to little McKinley. And she definitely was gifted with her parent’s travel genes as she dispatched 4 flights with a sleepy ease that would make most adult travelers jealous.

In Calgary, we were able to introduce the grandchildren of the Roberts to McKinley and vice versa. Jack, Lauren and Kate all made fantastic playmates.

Kate and McKinley

Canada presented some new environmental challenges for McKinley and parents. Here is a picture of McKinley all bundled up and ready to brave the cold in Winnipeg.

We also got to introduce McKinley to her Great Grandfather and get the 4 generations of Scobies photo. Grandpa Scobie is doing well, and was thrilled to meet his little granddaughter.

Left to right: Corey, Claude, McKinley, Brian

After the Canada trip, we had a short break followed by a visit from the Rible/Thut clan. Ann, Kim, Gary and the cousins (August and Emerson) came to sunny Pleasanton to spend Thanksgiving with us. It was a wonderful long weekend and fantastic time with family. Here is a parting picture of Emme, Auggie and McKinley sharing the chair in the family room.

Corey

Halloween Fun

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 12:00:26 -0700

Well, Halloween 2008 was officially the first of many for little McKinley. It was quite an event, including the cliche Pumpkin costume pictured below although she did not seem to mind it too much!

Weather was spotty with some short showers during high trick or treating time, but the turnout was strong and Kristi was successful in dispensing almost all the Halloween candy. This is an important goal for those households like our with absolutely no self control whatsoever!!

We also attempted to take a little family picture with the pumpkins, McKinley, and Akura although it is tough to be the “timed” photographer and in the picture at the same time.

We hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween. More soon....

Corey