I Am Specialized: XC-MTB: Riders: Max Plaxton

Career Highlights:

2006 Bronze Medal U-23 World Championships

2 X Pan-American Champion

2 X World Relay Champion

5 X National Champion

8 X Norba Pro Podium including 1 win

October in California

October 12, 2010

Well it’s been a few weeks. I've been pretty darn busy, but having a killer “off season” so far. The stag up on Hornby Island was super fun; I better not share too many stories! The trails were as good as ever, that's all I will say. I came down with a cold after the weekend so I just laid low for a week and did some stuff on the house and took care of some everyday normal life business. I got some mountain bike rides in and I know I brag about how good the trails are at home, but I had not seen them in better shape all year. Just so green and smooth and of course with all the leaves changing and the crisp fall air it doesn't get much better. It's nice being able to ride for an hour or four hours depending on how you are feeling. Gotta love the fall rides......

Last Tuesday, I made the drive down along with Kona's Kris Sneddon to Healdsburg A.K.A Norcal. It's pretty hard to beat it in October. The weather is pretty much how Victoria summer is. After the long drive we got out for a spin Wednesday afternoon though the vineyards full of ripe grapes and nothing but blue sky. We only rode for 45 min or so and pulled over at a saloon style bar and rocked a couple cold ones in the sun! Was good to be back.

Got out for a uber rad mtb ride Thursday on accidental with Roger(the godfather), Sneddon, Levi and myself. The trails were pretty dry, but loads of fun ripping some of the best single-track Norcal has to offer. Friday was a easy day on the road bike getting ready for the 105 mile Gran Fondo the next day.

I hadn't rode over 2.5 hours since August so I wanted to just take it really easy on Saturday. I remember coming into last years gran fondo in about the same condition and cracking with 5 km to go and not being able to get out the fetal position for a good couple hours post ride.

To sum the gran fondo up: amazing. With 6500 people participating to the 3500 last year, it was just spectacular. I actually felt surprisingly good throughout the ride and managed to not crack taking top honors in the “gran”. It was just a great weekend and Sonoma County for sure is one of the hot beds in cycling. I think much is due to Levi.

I was definitely tired for a few days and finally starting to feel normal. I think I went under 5 hours again so I have a right to tired! Looks like I will be headed down Thursday to Morgan Hill to visit Specialized and then carry on down to SoCal to see my Sho-Air bros and try to fit in with the cool crowd.

A little poison oak is the only negative I can think of right now, things are pretty good.