Kickin It Into Gear!

                  

The 2016 Enduro Season is finally underway! After completing the first three rounds of the California Enduro Series, it's safe to say that the Pro class is no joke.  I came into the first round in Fontana, CA feeling pretty confident in my preparation but quickly learned that unless you're feeling 100%, it becomes quite difficult to throw down competitive times.  Landing a 22nd place result was a little disappointing but fueled the motivation to improve my weaknesses.

                           

Being comfortable and confident is key..Luckily with some great support from Specialized this year, I never have to second guess my equipment and apparel.  As seen on the left, Specialized's Ambush helmet, 2FO ClipLite shoes and Enduro jersey/short offer maximum protection and comfort, not to forget style as well!

Next up was round 2 in the mountains of Reno, NV.  The Peavine Mountain range provided a mix of both technical and flat out pedal stages where fitness and few mistakes would be important.  After 6 race stages and 30 miles, I landed a 23rd with crashes on 2 of my runs.  Learning to balance speed and pushing the limits while avoiding mistakes is something that the experienced riders have mastered..Each time lining up against the clock has provided constant opportunities to learn these skills and I know before long I will be battling among the top guys. 

This past weekend hosted round 3 in the hills of Salinas, CA.  Toro Park and the local CCCX races is where I first began racing mountain bikes, so I was pretty excited to compete on familiar trails.  Coming into this race, I was hoping to break past my struggles and become competitive within the top 20.  After 4 stages I ended up 7th place in the Pro class which was a pretty surreal feeling, while also getting a 5th on the final stage!  Clocking times within a few seconds of the leaders showed that the preparation during the week is finally paying off.  After my last two mediocre results and trying to fit in quality training in between work and school, 7th felt great and left me more stoked than ever for the upcoming races and working to stay up in the mix! 

My S-Works 650B Enduro has blown me away with its capabilities, mashing downhill like a DH bike while still being able to push it up climbs.  Beyond thankful to have such great support from Scotts Valley Cyclesport and their help in making this bike possible.  Since riding Specialized bikes since the beginning, it was the obvious choice choosing the Enduro as my race weapon and continue having such a quality bike beneath me.  New product from Praxis Works with their carbon C32 wheels and Lyft cranks have been a great addition to keeping my custom build of only high end components.  Gamut's trail guide, bars, and stem linked up to ODI's Elite grips keep things comfortable up front while the FOX 36 fork and Float X2 rear shock make every section of terrain smooth and stable.  Shred Ready!

Thanks for reading! -Nicky D

instagram: @nickyd358

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facebook: Nick DiNapoli

Sponsors: Scotts Valley CycleSport, Specialized Bicycles, Praxis Works, Gamut USA, Stikrd, Monster Army, Krawl Loco Clothing, SPY Optics, FOX, ODI Grips. 

Photos courtesy of: Called To Creation, Satchel Cronk, and Mary DiNapoli

Calm before the storm..

XC Grinding at Fort Ord

As these winter months sneak on by and the upcoming season of enduro racing grows nearer, the thoughts of battling against the clock again raises that excitement to keep hammering down in preparation.  Switching things up a bit this year to help improve, I've been spending the past few months in the gym with Ryan over at SLV fitness.  With years of downhill racing under his belt and a wealth of knowledge for proper workouts to benefit specific athletes such as bikers, my body has been feeling healthier and stronger than ever which was an area I previously skipped over for the most part.  

Pre race chattin with good friend  Dillon Santos

What better way to test your fitness than to enter the deep pain cave of cross country racing!  Always a good time out at the CCCX races with the quick group of lycra warriors and being put in the hurt locker for 25 miles.. 

Trying to pound out the seat time with this being the final month before the California Enduro Series starts April 1st down south in Fontana... which will be my first Pro race! Looking forward to competing against fellow riding buddies as well as those professionals I've looked up to.  

New S-Works 650b Enduro for 2016!

Beyond stoked on how my new bike turned out, feeling right at home on it which hopefully will turn into quick times down the trail! Factree looking build thanks to SV Cyclesport, Specialized, Praxis Works, Gamut USA, FOX, and ODI grips. 

  

Best way to take a break from daily riding, enjoying the beautiful views with my even more beautiful girlfriend :)

Well until next time, catch ya on the trail and say hi at any races! 

-Nicky D

instagram: @nickyd358 

twitter: @nickyd358

That's a Wrap 2015!

Figured it was about time to get this blog back up and running after quite the hiatus! 2015 brought forth a great deal of experiences that will be hard to forget.  Starting off the season consisted of a last minute trip to SoCal with my good buddy Dillon to try out my first Expert/Cat 1 Enduro race in the hills of Temecula, CA.  After many miles, little sleep, and a load of good times finishing 2nd, I could tell this was going to be an exciting year of competition.  To avoid boring race reports and details...I couldn't be more stoked on how I was able to push beyond past limits, avoid injuries, and continue to realize that racing bicycles with the surrounding friends and opportunities is truly what my passion has become.  Achieving podium results in the California Enduro Series, SoCal Enduro, Oregon Enduro, Northstar at Tahoe Downhill, and the Sea Otter Classic DH showed that hard work will always pay off which fuels my motivation in preparing myself the best I can for taking on Professional racing in 2016.  Thanks for reading and catch ya on the trail!

Can't forget the massive thanks to those who supported me..Shoutout to my family and close friends, Scotts Valley Cyclesport, Valhalla Builders, Specialized Bicycles, Gamut USA, SPY Optics, Monster Army, Krawl Loco Clothing, Ryno Power, and SRAM. 

Looking back on this 2014 season brings quite the list of highlights.  With this being my second year really focusing on mountain biking since primarily Moto racing, my goal was to compete in as many different type of events and podium them all in Cat 2 in order to prepare myself and gain knowledge in becoming a well rounded, strong competitor.  As the season ended, consisting of 3 different series, many long race weekends, plus 7-10 hour work days over summer to riding in the evening, I managed to complete what I set out to do taking series wins in XC, Downhill, and Enduro.  Being able to win all 5 California Enduro rounds that consisted of all new circumstances to me was no doubt a pleasant surprise. Although some were quick to say that I should have raced expert with my comparable times, it was important to me to prove that I was ready.  Northstar DH racing and CCCX XC events kept me on my toes for fitness and skill all season which definitely helped my Enduro strength. Winning both those series for my first time gave me the confidence I needed to make the transition to Expert/Cat 1 for 2015. 

So many great people who helped make this year of traveling possible and I can only grow more excited about making the best of the upcoming new year.  From my parents to SV Cylesport for financial and bike support to the amazing hookups from Monster Army, SPY Optics, Schwalbe Tires, Gamut USA, SRAM, Leatt, Bell Helmets, VP Pedals, and Verasty Clothing.

Battleborn Enduro

Last Friday morning began the road trip from the cool and secluded Santa Cruz Mountains out to the very warm, rocky and dry Reno, NV high desert for round one of the California Enduro Series.  This would be my first big enduro style event and I was ready for the challenge.  Pre riding the course seemed like smart preparation for race day so we took off into the mountains; 4 stages of timed descents, 25 miles of transfer riding and race runs, 6,000 feet of climbing.  The terrain was nothing I've ridden before as living in Santa Cruz makes for smooth, loamy and tree covered single track through the woods. 

Four hours later, sweat dripping, and water deprived, every segment of the course had been covered and I was ready for race day.  

My weapon of choice was the 2014 Specialized Enduro Expert 29er for its great combination of climbing and downhill capabilities. With my background in XC and DH, I felt right at home on the bike and this style of racing.  Each of the 4 stages went great for me and I was very happy with my riding and staying smooth.  This gave me the Win in Sport Men (19-34) which I am so excited with being one of the youngest at 19 yrs old. 

Next up will be round 1 of the Northstar DH Series this weekend and the second CA Enduro race in China Peak, CA.  Thankful to those who support me such as Mom/Dad, SV Cyclesport, Monster Army, SPY Opitcs, Sram, Synch Bands, Leatt, Gamut USA, and Schwalbe Tires.

First blog post

This blog will follow my biking adventures and competitive racing as I work to succeed in all forms of bicycle racing whether Cross Country, Enduro, Downhill, and Road.  Follow my progress this summer as I work towards the winning ways.

Downhill video shoot for SV Cyclesport