Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
oh, so this takes practice?
took the cx bike up to ault park yesterday to work out the fit and try my hand at a little dismount/remount practice. i thought i remembered how the dismount worked: unclip right, swing leg over and through, grab top tube with right hand, unclip left, land on light feet, and leap! piece of cake, right? so i get to my first dismount, and i unclip left, almost slip off the pedal, grab the top tube, then unclip right, and basically hurl myself over the side, coming to an almost complete stop facing the side of my bike.
smooth.
i got a little better after a few tries, although i found myself slipping to a cheater's dismount: unclip right, swing leg over but not through, leave both hands on the bars (forget the top tube), unclip left, and go. fewer steps to tax my aging brain, and i don't think it'll matter in the c races -- and i can use the c races to work on form, right? right?
the remount, if possible, was worse. of course, i was taking the dreaded stutter step. and for some reason, when i could eliminate the stutter-step, i was jumping way too hard to get back on, instead of simply taking a large step over the bike: step-step-step-jump-OOOFF! and the back tire would wiggle and squish and complain under the stress. after about two laps of the little soccer field up by the wednesday series course, i remounted so hard that i pinch-flatted my rear tire (which, in my defense, was squishy to start with. of course, that means that i didn't check tire pressure before leaving the house, so it's back to no defense at all).
i'm heading up to harbin on wednesday -- at least i'll provide some entertainment for the folks who know what they're doing.
smooth.
i got a little better after a few tries, although i found myself slipping to a cheater's dismount: unclip right, swing leg over but not through, leave both hands on the bars (forget the top tube), unclip left, and go. fewer steps to tax my aging brain, and i don't think it'll matter in the c races -- and i can use the c races to work on form, right? right?
the remount, if possible, was worse. of course, i was taking the dreaded stutter step. and for some reason, when i could eliminate the stutter-step, i was jumping way too hard to get back on, instead of simply taking a large step over the bike: step-step-step-jump-OOOFF! and the back tire would wiggle and squish and complain under the stress. after about two laps of the little soccer field up by the wednesday series course, i remounted so hard that i pinch-flatted my rear tire (which, in my defense, was squishy to start with. of course, that means that i didn't check tire pressure before leaving the house, so it's back to no defense at all).
i'm heading up to harbin on wednesday -- at least i'll provide some entertainment for the folks who know what they're doing.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Super Dan Ott...
Ok, we all have to admit that Super Dan Ott is the man and he makes any picture that he's in look sweet (check out this pic on Velonews http://velonews.com/photo/62849), but the biggest reason that I am making this post is because the picture that Brett posted the other week really makes me uncomfortable...
BTW, its pretty ironic that we are caught in the exactly opposite order that we were continually trying to be in at Ault...
:::tinny out
Friday, August 8, 2008
Hour of Power
Two days off the "hour" and I'm already regretting it. Matt Bell and Alex Hasse had a healthy serving of the heavies this morning. The awe inspiring kettlebells seemed to provide talking points far beyond the hour work out this morning. Shannon found the quote of the day, when he asked what kettlebells were. Silly Shannon, you will learn soon enough, I'm sure.
"Who trains with kettlebells? Hard comrades of all persuasions. "
"Who trains with kettlebells? Hard comrades of all persuasions. "
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Top 10 Rampage Highlights
1. 7hills started this weekly east side romp, known as the Rampage in 2007...last nights seven hills attendance: 1
2. The Rampage is aka the Team Huntington Bank whoop ass ride
3. Riverbend traffic and cyclist=slow speeds and rubber necking
4. Darkhorse attendance: 2
5. Dave Matthews Band fans like the Tour de France
6. Attractive women like Dave Mathews
7. Dave Stewart is stupid fast
8. Sergio really does make "race car noises" while riding his bike
9. Shaonnon designated Brett as the honorary " sweeper for all hills longer than 20 meters
10. Mike Moore was seen stumbling into Riverbend shouting incoherent cheers for Darkhorse
2. The Rampage is aka the Team Huntington Bank whoop ass ride
3. Riverbend traffic and cyclist=slow speeds and rubber necking
4. Darkhorse attendance: 2
5. Dave Matthews Band fans like the Tour de France
6. Attractive women like Dave Mathews
7. Dave Stewart is stupid fast
8. Sergio really does make "race car noises" while riding his bike
9. Shaonnon designated Brett as the honorary " sweeper for all hills longer than 20 meters
10. Mike Moore was seen stumbling into Riverbend shouting incoherent cheers for Darkhorse
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Pur Tour: the same ol’ cup of water still satisfies
The Pur Tour marks the winding down of the local racing season and in the heat of the summer, it’s always scorcher. With little to no warm-up area and a crab grass-dust bowl parking lot, it resembles what I imagine a circuit race in Saudi Arabia might look like (imagine Yakima mounted Camels). Shelter tents and umbrellas were prevalent and a vital component to pre and post race staging.
Shannon, Brown and I arrived with about an hour before the 3 race. Alex arrived shortly after, along with Chip, who came to cheer us all on. I managed a brief but adequate warm-up before lining up with about 30 others. The wind speeds were worth noting; a headwind at the finish, a strong tail wind from the North, pushing a fast pace down the back side of the course (reaching max speeds around 40 mph) and a stout cross wind that became a headwind as the course looped around to the hill and back to the finish line.
I thought I was ready for this race but as a newbie to CAT 3 races, I keep forgetting to take into account all the breakaway attempts and attacks. It really does change the whole dynamic of the race and it is contrary to what I’ve grown accustomed to. I think I need to tape a Post-It Note on my stem as a reminder; “someone’s going to attack” or maybe something like “attack early and attack often” or “be ready for a breakaway” or perhaps, ”suffer chasing or suffer breaking.”
Anyway, that about summed up the race for me. I was either in an ill-fated breakaway or chasing one…mostly chasing, unfortunately. We averaged 26 for the first couple of laps and the group stayed together. Around lap 3, Ryan Good was anxious to get a break started and being on the front when he attacked, I unexpectedly found myself in a break with him. For some reason, I remembered that old reality show, “You are the weakest link.” The break was short lived we were pulled back in. I was able to integrate back into the pack (surprisingly) without feeling totally spent. Despite the quick recovery, I was not feeling the same pop and zest in the legs that I did a few short weeks ago.
Shortly after the first break was reeled in, a second break of about 3 to 4 men escaped. I was in no shape to respond and I appeared to be in good company, as no one around me seemed capable of giving chase. As a result, the break slowly made time on the field and at one point was about 15 seconds in front and still well within striking range…that was the case until our pace suddenly became dangerously slow.
No one wanted to work to pull it in. There was the usually barking from the men in the rear about not chasing or whatever, but of course they wanted nothing to do with the work required to do so at the front. I suggested taking turns, pulling through at a decent pace in order to close the gap. I honestly don’t remember what was said next, but a Louisville guy told me to go…so what was a horse to do? I knew I’d never be able to bridge on my own but that maybe an attack might result in the rest of the field in chasing me (thus closing in the break). Well, I went as hard as I could for about 15 to 30 seconds and another rider went with me. I did not look back but I could sense that I had decent gap on the field but I was smack dab in the middle of no-mans-land. The plan sort-of-worked: the field reacted to my actions and caught us and the speed continued to stay brisk; thus putting some time on the break. When we came around the hill again, we could see the break. They were so stinking close. Only a few more collective efforts were required and we would have had them. The break dangled precariously out in front of us like that for the next several laps. Dayton had the largest numbers but from my point of view, were not able to orchestrate a solid effort. They were however able to bridge close enough to put a man in the break, which I suppose is worth applauding.
Once Team Dayton had secured its slot in the break, it seemed one of three things was transpiring back in the chase group…men were either dropping out, chasing, or bridging solo to the break. These solo bridges usually occurred on the hill and their efforts seemed Herculean.
I think all but two Team Dayton riders dropped out by this point (the remaining Dayton racer in the chase group was actually taking turns on the front, drilling it). A racer from Olympus Homes reminded him that he had a man in the break, but it didn’t seem to phase him (great team work).
By this point, the break consisted of seven men, all deservingly reaching the finish line before the chase group. They only paid out five deep and I wish I could have seen them finish. The chase group dwindled down to a hand full of us and on the last lap, on the hill the two remaining strongest riders attacked to take 8th and 9th place respectively. I duked it out with the remaining few men for 11th. It was an interesting race and I learned a lot. I hope to be more aggressive in the future to avoid being a spectator within the race. It really annoyed me to see the real race unfold in front of my eyes, mere seconds down the road.
Shannon, Brown and I arrived with about an hour before the 3 race. Alex arrived shortly after, along with Chip, who came to cheer us all on. I managed a brief but adequate warm-up before lining up with about 30 others. The wind speeds were worth noting; a headwind at the finish, a strong tail wind from the North, pushing a fast pace down the back side of the course (reaching max speeds around 40 mph) and a stout cross wind that became a headwind as the course looped around to the hill and back to the finish line.
I thought I was ready for this race but as a newbie to CAT 3 races, I keep forgetting to take into account all the breakaway attempts and attacks. It really does change the whole dynamic of the race and it is contrary to what I’ve grown accustomed to. I think I need to tape a Post-It Note on my stem as a reminder; “someone’s going to attack” or maybe something like “attack early and attack often” or “be ready for a breakaway” or perhaps, ”suffer chasing or suffer breaking.”
Anyway, that about summed up the race for me. I was either in an ill-fated breakaway or chasing one…mostly chasing, unfortunately. We averaged 26 for the first couple of laps and the group stayed together. Around lap 3, Ryan Good was anxious to get a break started and being on the front when he attacked, I unexpectedly found myself in a break with him. For some reason, I remembered that old reality show, “You are the weakest link.” The break was short lived we were pulled back in. I was able to integrate back into the pack (surprisingly) without feeling totally spent. Despite the quick recovery, I was not feeling the same pop and zest in the legs that I did a few short weeks ago.
Shortly after the first break was reeled in, a second break of about 3 to 4 men escaped. I was in no shape to respond and I appeared to be in good company, as no one around me seemed capable of giving chase. As a result, the break slowly made time on the field and at one point was about 15 seconds in front and still well within striking range…that was the case until our pace suddenly became dangerously slow.
No one wanted to work to pull it in. There was the usually barking from the men in the rear about not chasing or whatever, but of course they wanted nothing to do with the work required to do so at the front. I suggested taking turns, pulling through at a decent pace in order to close the gap. I honestly don’t remember what was said next, but a Louisville guy told me to go…so what was a horse to do? I knew I’d never be able to bridge on my own but that maybe an attack might result in the rest of the field in chasing me (thus closing in the break). Well, I went as hard as I could for about 15 to 30 seconds and another rider went with me. I did not look back but I could sense that I had decent gap on the field but I was smack dab in the middle of no-mans-land. The plan sort-of-worked: the field reacted to my actions and caught us and the speed continued to stay brisk; thus putting some time on the break. When we came around the hill again, we could see the break. They were so stinking close. Only a few more collective efforts were required and we would have had them. The break dangled precariously out in front of us like that for the next several laps. Dayton had the largest numbers but from my point of view, were not able to orchestrate a solid effort. They were however able to bridge close enough to put a man in the break, which I suppose is worth applauding.
Once Team Dayton had secured its slot in the break, it seemed one of three things was transpiring back in the chase group…men were either dropping out, chasing, or bridging solo to the break. These solo bridges usually occurred on the hill and their efforts seemed Herculean.
I think all but two Team Dayton riders dropped out by this point (the remaining Dayton racer in the chase group was actually taking turns on the front, drilling it). A racer from Olympus Homes reminded him that he had a man in the break, but it didn’t seem to phase him (great team work).
By this point, the break consisted of seven men, all deservingly reaching the finish line before the chase group. They only paid out five deep and I wish I could have seen them finish. The chase group dwindled down to a hand full of us and on the last lap, on the hill the two remaining strongest riders attacked to take 8th and 9th place respectively. I duked it out with the remaining few men for 11th. It was an interesting race and I learned a lot. I hope to be more aggressive in the future to avoid being a spectator within the race. It really annoyed me to see the real race unfold in front of my eyes, mere seconds down the road.
Monday, August 4, 2008
PUR tour 2008 -- 4s
PUR tour: one turn, one hill, long straightaway to the start/finish ... a simple course, right? Go hard, go fast, and see who's there at the end? Well, on Saturday the wind had other ideas, making this a far more tactical race than I would've thought possible. We lined up with 4 horsemen: Steve, Alex, Mike M., and me. Pre-race conversations focused on maybe getting Alex in the money (and outta the 4s) with a 1-2 punch in the finale -- one of us go on the hill, and when that person was (inevitably) brought back (since it's so far from the finish), lead Alex out hard.
The best-laid plans, right? First, three other teams had greater numbers and were in a much better position to determine the way the race went. Dayton mostly patrolled the front, but didn't seem willing to stick their noses out for very long; 7Hills did the same; and Anthem, as usual, kept sending one after another after another into the wind. Seemed like Anthem would alternate with one of the unattached guys in the race -- first one of the u/a guys would go, then an Anthem guy would go. We mostly hung tight, stayed out of the wind, when possible, and paid attention.
Mostly. With six to go, I wanted to move up in the field after the hill -- somehow I had gotten way to the back. I rolled up nice and easy on the left side, didn't see any places to jump back in, and suddenly found myself at the front -- at about 18 mph. What the heck? I thought -- I'm pretty fresh from sitting in. Let's see if we can animate this here race. So I picked it up a bit, and started drilling it, right about the time they rang the prime bell. I could almost hear the dogs start barking and drooling: someone to chase, AND beer at the end!!! Instead of sitting up like a smart guy, I decided to drill it to the turn and see what happened.
What happened was that no one came with me. On the backside, a couple Louisville guys came up, but the pack was hot on their tails, so we got nowhere. Oh well, at least Mairin didn't have to pick me out of a pack that lap.
Fast-forward about 5 more laps, 500 m to go: I'm where I want to be -- on Geoff Reynolds's wheel when he goes too early. I haven't had a chance to look behind me, but I'm hoping Alex is nearby. I follow Geoff, but it's taking more than it should to hold him, and when it comes time to go around, ppphhhhhttttt! nothin'. From the corner of my eye I see Mr. Steady Mike More roll in for a top-10 (go Mike!).
It was a fun race -- pretty sketchy, though: once people started learning where to be in the wind, they started doing whatever it took to get there. It got really narrow on the gutter in the staightaway as riders squeezed left, and then squeezed some more, and a few guys did the whole across-the-road swerve that scares the socks offa me.
Oh, and I have new pet peeve: guys who sit in the middle of the pack during a tactical race like this one, never go near the front, and complain that we're not racing. Loudly. Get on the front, boys.
The best-laid plans, right? First, three other teams had greater numbers and were in a much better position to determine the way the race went. Dayton mostly patrolled the front, but didn't seem willing to stick their noses out for very long; 7Hills did the same; and Anthem, as usual, kept sending one after another after another into the wind. Seemed like Anthem would alternate with one of the unattached guys in the race -- first one of the u/a guys would go, then an Anthem guy would go. We mostly hung tight, stayed out of the wind, when possible, and paid attention.
Mostly. With six to go, I wanted to move up in the field after the hill -- somehow I had gotten way to the back. I rolled up nice and easy on the left side, didn't see any places to jump back in, and suddenly found myself at the front -- at about 18 mph. What the heck? I thought -- I'm pretty fresh from sitting in. Let's see if we can animate this here race. So I picked it up a bit, and started drilling it, right about the time they rang the prime bell. I could almost hear the dogs start barking and drooling: someone to chase, AND beer at the end!!! Instead of sitting up like a smart guy, I decided to drill it to the turn and see what happened.
What happened was that no one came with me. On the backside, a couple Louisville guys came up, but the pack was hot on their tails, so we got nowhere. Oh well, at least Mairin didn't have to pick me out of a pack that lap.
Fast-forward about 5 more laps, 500 m to go: I'm where I want to be -- on Geoff Reynolds's wheel when he goes too early. I haven't had a chance to look behind me, but I'm hoping Alex is nearby. I follow Geoff, but it's taking more than it should to hold him, and when it comes time to go around, ppphhhhhttttt! nothin'. From the corner of my eye I see Mr. Steady Mike More roll in for a top-10 (go Mike!).
It was a fun race -- pretty sketchy, though: once people started learning where to be in the wind, they started doing whatever it took to get there. It got really narrow on the gutter in the staightaway as riders squeezed left, and then squeezed some more, and a few guys did the whole across-the-road swerve that scares the socks offa me.
Oh, and I have new pet peeve: guys who sit in the middle of the pack during a tactical race like this one, never go near the front, and complain that we're not racing. Loudly. Get on the front, boys.
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