TJ Woodruff ONLINE

Racing the WC was incredible today. Lining up with the worlds best was an amazing experience. Making it four laps before getting pulled was also somewhat of a success. I finished 90th in a field of 120 or so; not too bad for a first time attempt. It was full on from the gun and a game of survivial from then on. I was feeling strong and riding the singletrack well which is success enough. Hearing the chants of a largely French speaking crowd was so cool and I can’t wait until my next world cup experience. I now have a better understanding of what it will take to move up in the ranks. It all really comes down to max power and that ever important first lap… All for now, the next couple days will be long ones on the roads of Canada before re-entering the states into the UP of Michigan. Until next time, keep it real.  TJ

Quebec has already been a great experience and the racing hasn’t even started yet. We got to Quebec City by noon on Tuesday and were able to spend the afternoon touring the city by bike. The old cobbled streets and tightly quartered buildings looked like something straight out of Europe. And the fact that everyone speaks French here mad it a really cool experience. I snapped some pictures of all of this, but haven’t yet gotten them on to the laptop yet. Somehow I manage to keep myself busy all day, even though there are few time demands when you’re on the road in the RV.

The course here is like a five kilometer playground with a multitude of flavors. The only common theme is steep; the climbs the descents and even the flat parts are all steep somehow. There is a good amount of burly rocky sections coupled with some clay, some sand and even some gravel. Today Chloe and I rode in the pouring rain after waiting it out for about ten minutes. We both realized that waiting wasn’t going to do much good and once we got going, the course was to our liking. Somehow I still had really good traction and control, even in the slimiest of roots and rocks.  Now that I’ve ridden a couple dry laps and now some wet ones too, I’m confident with my abilities on this course. The lines have been found and alternates have been considered if the traffic is thick. I’m sporting the 101 plate, but who knows how many others have registered; it’s going to be a monster field for certain.

Tomorrow will be some more riding of the course and Saturday the same before the big show on Sunday. Right now I’m typing this update from within the VIP tent that the xc course actually comes right through. Fans will be in here lounging at tables and on couches as we speed through. The course is super accessible to fans and they’ve estimated that 20,000 people will be here to watch the downhill race on Saturday. I know there will be fewer on Sunday, but still it’ll be the biggest and most energy packed race that I’ve ever done for sure. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get some pictures on here as they do a much better job of telling the story. Wish me luck here! Keep it real, TJ

Here are some overdue photos from Sugar Mountain from last weekends Norba.

Back in 2004 I raced here at Mt Snow, Vermont as a first year semi pro racer. That race was a bit of an eye opener.  I’d never raced, ridden, or let alone seen so many rocks on a single race course.  That race didn’t go that well so this year was my chance for some revenge on this brutal course. After traveling up here from North Carolina we were able to ride the course Wednesday thru Friday before the weekend races. I was feeling well prepared for another good go at the cross country, but I didn’t have such luck.  I didn’t have that 100% sensation and after two and a half laps out of the four things turned into survival mode. Granted the hills didn’t seem so steep or treachourous, but the mountain still got the best of me. Finishing was success enough as I crossed the line 50^th.  Today’s short track was alright as my call up starting position continues to improve. The shortish lap meant that I got pulled after about 12 minutes of racing. Ryan Trebon was off the front killing everybody right from the start. If he hadn’t opened up such a gap I probably would have gotten to race a couple times around…

Tomorrow afternoon we are pulling the plug on Mt Snow and heading north for Quebec. This will be my first time leaving US soil and the French speaking ought to be interesting. I’ve got no expectations for my first ever World Cup, but the experience ought to be incredible. WiFi should be more predictable in Quebec so I should be able to update more often; sorry for the lack of updates lately. Keep it Real,  TJ

This weekend things all came together and I had one of the best rides to date. Saturday I was feeling strong in the cross country and finished 27^th on the day. I was climbing really smooth and catching people on each of the four laps. I knew things were on track since I was feeling strong and rallying the downhill. I was really in the hurt locker after effort, but made an adequate recovery for today’s short track race. Things were going well despite my poor first lap until I lost it in a corner about 20 seconds from the finish line. Five guys took advantage of my misfortune. Maybe this wasn’t the best place to attempt a pass after all…

Good times in North Carolina for sure. This race is a good confirmation of things to come with the rest of the Norba calendar. Next stop is Vermont next weekend so I should be ready for this one as well. I’ll try to make a couple posts from the RV on our trip up north. Maybe some pictures if I can get a stable internet connection. Keep it real, TJ

We’ve made a successful journey to Seven Devils, North Carolina and have laid claim to our campsite for the Norba weekend.  We’ve got satellite TV, wireless internet and full cell phone coverage here. All the comforts of home, only with a mountain view. There will be little miscellaneous stress, so 100% of my energy can be focused on racing.

Yesterday was my first lap on the course and it is very much to my liking. There is a serious climb to start things out that is steepish towards the bottom, but flattens to a nice three or four percent grade by the summit. It’s one of those climbs that you can stay seated and really power up if you’re feeling good.  The downhill is a straight shot back down the hills with not too much traversing; quite steep with some fun, gnarly rock features. All will be good if conditions remain dry, but things could be slick if we’d get some rain. I guess we’ll wait and see on that one.

Wednesday we were able to tour the Litespeed factory in Chattenooga, TN. It was cool to meet the people who are directly responsible for my beautiful bikes. The factory tour is very personal and we got to closely follow the entire frame building process from start to finish. There was no mass-producing ‘machine’ feeling here; only individuals putting their personal energies into each and every frame.  Everything is done ‘hands-on’ here.

The morning sprinkles are clearing off now so I’ll be able to get in a dry ride now. Check back and you can find more race weekend reports. Until then, keep it real.  TJ

This pic sums up Sunday’s WORS race quite well. 1.5 laps of strong riding came to an abrupt end with the help of a massive stick. Bummer. At least all of bad luck should be running out soon.

If last week was quiet and relaxing here in Spooner, then I should have seen this week coming. Not that it was too stressful or anything, but the inevitable list of ‘to-do’s’ always comes up before setting off on a month long journey. Near the top of the list were the mountain time trial at City Park and the amazing new Rock Lake trail outside of Cable. Then of course lower-priority things such as moving things out of the house, packing, squaring away auto insurance and getting new plates for the car and made it onto the list as well. Pretty much all of these various tasks have been dealt with; I just need to get into the bike shop now so I can hack about 1.5� off my bars before I hit any more trees. If I’m hitting trees in Spooner it would only be bad news out east so the chop must be done.

I suppose some of these tasks could have been taken care last week, but honestly when does that ever happen? Needless to say the past couple of days have been action packed so I’m looking forward to Big Ring on Sunday. And the month to follow should be one for the books as five of us set out across the eastern US in Paul’s RV for the North Carolina and Vermont Norba’s along with the Quebec World Cup. This ought to be quite the road trip so be sure to check in often for updates. The next report will be post Wausau so I’ll have a full recap.

Until then, Keep it Real.  TJ