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Athlete

2012-01-17T22:20:00.001-05:00

"a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill. "

Cyclist.

Racer.

Cross Country.

Mountain Bike.

Me.

The "ON" Season

2012-01-16T20:29:00.002-05:00

Tossed a leg on he mag trainer, a Cycle Ops Fluid 2 trainer. The old stand-by Cannondale CAAD 3 with Spinergy Rev X wheels. A good session. Details will not be too detailed, adhearing to racer-secrecy. I can see a difference bewteen the mag trainer and my Spin-bike.

I bought the spin bike in reaction to having 3 flat tires on the mag trainer in a 4 week period. A mag trainer?! Just how the hell do you get flats on a mag trainer?

There's a part of me that wants the new and shiny training tools. But then the other part is, I have most of the 'stuff' already: heart rate monitor with 3 settings, GPS on my phone, bike computer relatively useless on the mag trainer. Was seriously looking at the Timex Global Trainer but most of it is on my phone already so...I need to buy it why? Exactly.

Train Hard. Rest Easy.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ProvidenceVeloClub

2011-09-24T01:23:00.001-04:00

The Off Season...

The assault onto the podium will begin anew.

Sunday Post Ride-- MTB XC RACE Farmington Classic

2010-04-18T22:15:00.004-04:00

With a little time to reflect, I've completed the 2010 Farmington Classic, Race 2 of the Root 66 Series. I'll preface it with, I've been off the bike for over 20 days. No training. No riding. Nothing. After the King of Burlingame, Rhode Island received some of the heaviest rains beyond any living memory.

My memory tells me I got over 6 inches of water in my basement, lost heat & hot water for over 10 days and suffered thru sporadic power outages. Have you ever taken a cold shower? No, I mean a real cold shower,no once of heat anywhere? In March? The water was so cold when it splashed onto my nuts it felt like I someone kicked them straight into my abdomen. How's that for a goof morning? BAM! Here's a swift kick in the nuts in the morning! It wouldn't have been so bad if our pellet stove didn't get knocked out from the power outages. We actually had to use our fire place for warmth on several nights.

Needless to say I didn't fair too well at this years Farmington Classic. I knew well before the race I was going to start from the back. I had to. I haven't ridden over 20 days nor trained. My road bike is shot--rusted chain, cranks and who knows what else. It fell into the water in my basement. I had just purchased a spin bike a day or two before water world entered my world. Luckily I didn't assemble it in my training room before the water came in. Unfortunately I can't set it up now, no room. All the salvageable stuff from the basement is now taking up space where I would've set up the spin bike temporarily.

I got the spin bike because I could no longer deal with keeping another bike ridable-ready on the mag trainer. Over the winter I suffered 4 flat tires over 10 days. On the mag trainer. ON THE MAG TRAINER!!! Yes I checked each time I changed the flat, I checked the tire-inside & out, the rim(no rim strip as it is a Spinergy Rev X). Nothing. No culprit. No metal splinter, No same location puncture. No foreign object. Nothing.

I lin up hearing the last minute information from the pre-riders, "Don't go right, stay left, the sand is deep on the right." "Course is good-tacky, greasy in some spots", "One mud section"

We take off. Of course I'm on the right side of the start. Deep sand. Hard to steer. BAP! Right handle bar taps a tree. I nearly lose control, get thrown of course for a few yards. Pedal on. Even this early in the race. I am aware...aware of the suffering that is to come, and sooner than I had anticipated.

Already I know I'm trouble, I didn't need my heart rate monitor to remind me. 183 BPM barely a third of way into the 1st lap. My early hopes of NOT coming in last was melting away like icicles on Satan's gutters. By this point, I'm reassessing to a more realistic goal: Finish the Race.

The Specialized Epic Comp was flawless. Tapped off gears on the X7 shifters and BAM there they were on the derailleur. It took a little getting used to the Thumb-Thumb action of SRAM's trigger shifters versus the Shimano Rapid Fire Thumb-Index shifting...I kept wishing for Twist Shifters, its just a preference, one I find myself in a shrinking minority.

The oddest thing kept occurring in my mind's radio...all during the race Queensryche's "Silent Lucidity" kept playing over and over in my head, kept me think how it was written as a sequel to Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" I enjoyed it. But the song kept playing over and over.

The course was remarkably fast. How I wished I was in better shape to really rip on it. It flowed. It was big ring only. The climbs were awsome...nothing long and enduring but challenging that required a good effort to climb at speed. Sure you could sit and spin out the gears but you wouldn't climb faster. I kept flashing back how the course had changed over the years when it was part of the Pedro's MTB race serious. I thought of how I've changed as a racer over the last decade & a half of racing. I thought of the irony of 15 years later I am suffering now as I did as a beginner (Cat 3) racer, the double cramps in both legs, the headache from lack of hydration, the grit of wanting just to finish.

Whoever said racing is healthy was a shit head. Exercising is healthy. Working out to stay fit or look good is healthy. Training and Racing, that's out right sadism. What fitness model male or female does intervals to the point of vomiting or nausea? All for the sake of 'this-much' faster? hardly any I'd imagine. But that is what many of us do. We train so hard on a personal level that it can make some of us believe in religion.

I crossed the line, wishing my bike hade better racer on top of it, saddened at my finish: LAST. Hit the Title of posting for the link to confirm my results. Yet as I crossed the line dejected I bright spot emerged: "Welcome Back Mike." Jill, the race organizer saide to me as rolled in, head hung low, legs full of pain. "Thank you" I replied "thanks" I smiled, just a little.

Sunday Post Ride

2010-04-11T23:57:00.002-04:00

Flood. No Ride.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36085345

Got over 6 inches of water in the basement. Knocked out the furnace. No heat, no hot water. Sporadic power outages. Riding & training hasn't been a priority.

Sunday Post Ride--The K o B

2010-03-28T21:35:00.004-04:00

I, I have returned to racing. I"d like to say it was triumphant return to racing, a victorious return, but I can not. I will say it was a satisfying return tor acing, especially considering I was on top of new ride for the 2010 season.

Editors Note: The post was published several weeks after the King Of Burlingame. Several things had changed since the KOB. I chose to post this edition 'as-is' since deep down, I know I will not have the time to go back and fill it in as orginally intended. The paragraph was all I wrote before I fell asleep that night.

Maybe you can check the links:

http://dlsportsphoto.zenfolio.com/p627149960/h30fdc55a#h30fdc55a
Syl
http://dlsportsphoto.zenfolio.com/p627149960/h30fdc55a#h21110f1e
http://dlsportsphoto.zenfolio.com/p627149960/h30fdc55a#h222b6cae
http://dlsportsphoto.zenfolio.com/p627149960/h30fdc55a#h2c15dc8f
Nate
http://dlsportsphoto.zenfolio.com/p627149960/h30fdc55a#h2a7d1e30
http://dlsportsphoto.zenfolio.com/p627149960/h30fdc55a#h2361d621
http://dlsportsphoto.zenfolio.com/p627149960/h30fdc55a#h206b73b1
Mike

RESULTS 2010:
http://www.bikereg.com/Results/2010/03/28-King-of-Burlingame-Mountain-Bike-Time-Trial.asp

Sunday Post Ride

2010-03-21T22:48:00.002-04:00

Ok, I didn't ride this weekend. The nicest weekend of 2010 thus far, upper 60's/bordering 70's, sunny, dry and I didn't ride. That is, as in, did not, nada, zip, zero, zilch, did NOT. Whoa. I could go into Saturday and the vents there but that's yesterday's post.

Today I had opportunity and a lack of motivation or rather no real strong urge to get out there. Weird. I know. A rare sunny dry warm day and no urge to get and ride the bike. Still having trouble letting that one sink into my psyche. Whatever.

I was meeting a friend and his family for lunch at 1p.m. Surely I would have enough time to knock off an morning 2-3 hour pedal session. Didn't happen. I had stayed up until 330 or 4 am the previous night and didn't wake until 10 p.m. or was it 930 a.m? Not sure, all I remember is my daughter asking me to cook breakfast for her and her friend who had slept over the night before. With out realizing it I was down stairs cooking omelets and sausage for the kids.
...And that's all I really remember. Because Now its Wednesday and the details are fuzzy. Enjoy.

A little busy

2010-03-20T22:20:00.001-04:00

Thursday Night Ride--Road Style

2010-03-18T21:48:00.006-04:00

A new feature I may add will be the Thursday night ride as we race towards the Spring and Summer riding season. Tonight's ride was an unintended Mini-Hammer TT Effort. As usually I got home late from work and needed to pick up my daughter from soccer practice around 7p.m. So after the mad dash and chaos of looking for my kit, finding my kit, dressing, filling up water bottle (only 1-no time to fill up 2), pumping air into the rear tire, hunting for helmet, couldn't find, finding back up helmet,gloves, oh crap-heart rate monitor, upstairs, strapped and ready, ipod? F-it, no time...

I rolled onto my drive way about 6:15 pm. I thought I could squeeze out a Mid Hammer Loop, that is of course IF, everything went according to plan: Leave work on time,pull into driveway, up the stairs, bedroom change (of course my kit would be on the bed waiting), water bottles at the ready, pump the tire and go. LOL.

Mini Hammer it would be, of course I didn't decide that until I got onto Route 3 North. 4 minutes onto 3. Not bad. May be I could do something today. Legs were feeling, OK, better than yesterday's lunchtime ride where the legs felt like hard rubber (previous mag trainer session to blame or credit-all on how you look at it).

I was feeling good as I focused up Route 3 towards JCT 165. The unwashed red Cannondale motored up the road, black Spinergy Rev X choppering the wind, whirring like Lance Armstrong on his mag trainer before the day's stage. I was feeling like myself. Strong. Confident. Powerful. A good day in the saddle. Gone were the doubts, the negativity or sense of loss from prior years to now. There was only now. Now. And it was beautiful.

I crossed JCT 165 at the 22M37S mark. Crap for a personal best but good for the 2010 season. Real good. I sailed down 165, focused in fixed aero position. Blew past where Randy's 'new' Victory Cycle's street was...is..however you want to say it. Top speed 40.14 mph. I hammered through the 95 under pass. I was feeling freedom. Chanting my developing 'new' mantra on the bike: "Pedal Faster Mother Fucker" , "Because I Can" , "Go Faster."

I turned onto Arcadia road. I tried not to look at the house we almost bought. I was too focused on the Now and road ahead. Don't look. Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. Quick glance-damn it. But I didn't dwell on it like usual. That house like the ride behind me was just that, behind me.

I reached Blitzkrieg Trail. I thought to myself, in prior years I could maintain 20 mph on this section of road with my mountain bike. Quick look down on the Road Bike's cpu: 22.34 mph. Keep going.

Right up to Skunk Hill. Sprint this section-mail box to telephone pole. Right onto my street. Kick it. Legs could feel we were approaching home, approaching the line, approaching rest. Quickly I envisioned collapsing on the grass after crossing the line, splayed out, spread eagle-bike between my legs, out of breath, waiting for the Angel of Death to sweep down to me and whisper "You can rest now."

I knew it was coming, the marker to sprint toward the finish, the break in the road where it looks like 2 different types of tar had been used for my street. That was the unofficial sprinting marker. I grunted like an angry animal. Legs full of pain. Lungs gulping globs of air. Rocket. Rocket. Rocket. I crossed the line: 00:42:16.

I felt satisfied. The first time in almost a year since my injury.

Sunday Post Ride

2010-03-14T15:09:00.012-04:00

This Sunday took a change in plans. I had intended to go out on the road and bang out a short 17 mile loop. I knew my road bike had a slow leak in the rear tire so I pumped it up to 110psi just before I started getting ready. It had rained all day yesterday, down poured and unusually high winds, winds strong enough to mover over a moving car by a few inches. Strange.

I threw on my kit: Refunds Now grabbed my Garneau rain cape and headed towards the red Cannondale with black carbon fiber Spinergy Rev Xs. A quick squeeze of the front tire then the back and I was...whoa...a little soft on the rear tire. Fuck. Already I was feeling time slipping away. I had missed the whole spring ahead garbage with the clock and was already an hour behind when I wanted to head out. As much as I love the Rev X wheels, its a pain to change out a tube because your need one of 2 things, a valve extender to accommodate for the increased aerodynamic profile of the rims OR an extra long stem (of at least 60mm in length) on the replacement tube. I had neither, or more appropriately, i didn't know where they were in my house.

Mountain bike away we go. I grabbed the Titus and rolled out the door. The original plan called for the usual fire road run via Blitzkrieg trail to Arcadia and back. It must've been the wind or now, the rain showering down on me. (Yep, I couldn't believe my luck: cloudy and over cast all morning BUT the flippin moment I head out the door, showers. JFC.) I ended up, deciding to do a mix: JCT 165/3 on the rad to Mt Tom Road onto Blitzkrieg trail.

Feeling fresh I hit Route 3 in under 5 minutes...not bad for the MTB, fat tires and all. I turned North and began the climb to JCT165. I didn't have a bike computer so all I had was the HRM and new Zone 1 one settings:160-180 bpm. I didn't remember how to set the HRM to read actual Zone 2 settings 161-180 bpm's so I did the easiest thing and updated Zone 1 to be the same as Zone 2.

My legs felt heavy, good, muscular, strong. I really could feel the extra rolling resistance on the wider tires and 'new' riding position. I kept looking down at my shoe/cleat position. I think I'm already have the cleat as far back as it could possibly go. My team mate Syl had told me about racers altering their cleat position on the cycling shoes in an effort to utilize more of the quadriceps muscles used for pedaling. It makes sense. Conventional wisdom dictates the cleat position to be towards the front of the shoe in order to allow full extension of the leg and thereby generating more power and/or better pedaling efficiency.

I'll have to open his email and check for my self, but I think my cleat position is already back far enough or is similar enough to the 'new' position. I say this because my position on my MTB is somewhat different than my road and I can feel my quads working harder on the MTB than on the Road bike. We'll see.

The road debris had gotten worse since the last rain and I was thankful I was riding my MTB rather than the Road bike. I didn't avoid pot holes or slop on the road, plow right over, bunny hopped over whatever I felt like. I was feeling pretty good, rain and all. The weather was mild enough where underneath my rain cape the overall day felt like a cool summer's rain ride. Incredible. (Looking out the window near my laptop and guess what? No rain and brighter clouds.)

I crested JCT 165/3 and began the descent down 165 towards Arcadia. I swung left onto Mt Tom Road and sprinted, because I felt like it. I spotted the turn on Blitzkrieg trail and took it. Immediately I felt the softness of the fire road and began the push. Down pedal stroke. Up pedal stroke. Steer. Steer. It wasn't hard, just required more effort

While I pedalled. I felt moments of smoothness. Quickly followed by moments of struggle. Between one of those moments I watched a large white tailed female mule deer thunder across the fire road about 10 yards away from me. Good-thing there wasn't a bear chasing it or a rifle shot after it. I wasn't too concerned about the hunter part, my RFN kit has plenty bright orange on it, I almost think I don't need safety orange to ride trail in these parts. (I'm partially serious).

I approached the last few hundred yards of Blitzkrieg Trail with a good effort sprint back onto Arcadia Road and finally make the right turn towards home. Overall I was satisfied with today's change in plans. I know where I must concentrate on in the final 2 weeks before the King of Burlingame and we'll see from there. I'm about as ready as I can be for the 201 season, not where I'd like given my circumstances (returning from injury) but enough to feel just OK with it. The old me would've gone out yesterday in the torrential rains and wind all the sake of racing and training. And if I was home I most likely would have gone out but "Hey!"

"I was busy..."

Sunday Post Ride

2010-03-07T23:19:00.009-05:00

And it begins on dirt...well actually after an hour delay of drive back and forth, it begins on dirt. The plan had been to do a pre-ride on The King of Burlingame TT Race course. Saturday's weather had been beautiful, sunny warm 50's and today's was to be better, sunnier, warmer, 50'ers/Sixty-ish. I was going to meet up with the Team at 8 a.m. in the parking lot and do a couple of laps, scout out the course, pick lines etc.

That didn't happen. I got up in plenty of time, even had the bike ready to go, but I didn't hear from the team until 730-ish or so. I figured they'd call as they started to head South towards Burlingame State Park. I figured it'd take'em almost an hour to reach, at the very least 45 minutes (and that's haulin', state trooper take-me-to lock-up haulin'). By the time they called I was in the idle of full conversation wtih my wife, planning our next trip, cruise, vacation time, destination etc. We're considering a trans-Atlantic cruise to Europe. I had never been a fan of round the block Caribbean cruises: "Sooo I'm gonna pay you an obnoxious amount of cash so you drive my floating hotel around the Caribbean-block only to drop me off to where we started?" I always thought a cruise should take you some place, as in a mode of transportation. The Caribbean, I'm a little sick of, for me its like Florida south, just minus rednecks & pick-ups. Why would I want to visit third world island beaches?

But I will admit, the Disney Cruise line has a best kept secret: All of the adult luxuries are never too crowded, unlike regular cruise lines. Because with Disney, all of the parents with kids are WITH THEIR CHILDREN and are NOT taking up valuable space at the grown up sections of the ship, like the spa, the gym, the coffee shops, all of it relatively crowd free. Disney was wise in dividing the ship into 3 areas; everyone (think a billion children), family (fewer people/older children usually wanting nothing to do with their parents) and finally No Children Under 18 (almost empty).

I'd hook-up with them later. Its Sunday. I'm in no rush. At this point I wasn't, I didn't have to meet them. It wasn't like they were depending on me as guide or for a ride to the park. Never the less, I threw on gear, grabbed bike and was off. Shooting down Route 3 South. I figured I'd catch-up and meet them somewhere on course. That never happened.

I pull into the lot, park next to Mr Cat 1's Nissan and start the mad dash to unload bike, strip down to race kit which I wore underneath my running pants and RFN track jacket and the throw on..."Wait a minute." The mental check and flash backs commences: Air in tires, Water bottles, helmet, HRM, Bike CPU, sandals for post ride, kit, pants..."Oh F"

God damned SHOES! I forgot my freaking shoes. I forgot my fricken shoes. So the dilemma ensues: Drive back, grab shoes and return OR drive back grab shoes and ride Arcadia. Time wise I'd lose a total of an hour, maybe more going to and back. Fuck it. I drove out here to pre-ride, I'm going to pre-ride. I knew I'd never meet up with my team, but that didn't matter I needed to know how I'd do on course.

I finally returned to Burlingame, just in time to see 3 thugs in a late model Nissan drive out. The guy with the beard in the drivers seat looked like he hasn't seen a woman or sunlight in a while, his passenger had the post high look and his rear passenger had an enforcer look about him. These hoodlums were my team mates. They had just completed 2 laps on course: 1 way on the direction of the course and the other way backwards. After we exchanged some info about the course, dry, technical here, rocky there, we drove our separate ways. I pulled into the same spot where I been just about an hour earlier. I unload and began my confused look around the lot for the trail entrance.

As I started out I ran into3 riders from Thursday Night Group, Steve with the old school Merlin and Fast Freddy. Again riders were finishing as I have yet to start. Talking to Freddy, we swapped stories of returning to riding after injury, mine with severed tendons right leg/foot and Freddy...severed left ring finger. Holy Shit!

I knew he got injured last year but seriously, severed finger. OM f'G! Even when he showed me I couldn't believe my eyes. There it was, gone. No ring on that finger. No finger. It wasn't a clean sever either. The surgeons had tried to re-attach but a few days post surgery the skin turned black and the severed portion of his finger died. The only option was removal. The doctors had removed the damaged portion of the finger and folded over the excess flesh and sewn back onto itself like a flap and then closed it all up.

From what Freddy tells me, he had been stepping down from a ladder when he either slipped or jumped down catching his ring on a burr in the ladder and...'really mangled it up.' Wow here I am bitching about not being able to walk or run properly, numbness and there's Freddy...missing digit and all. He had lost the portion of his finger just above the 1st joint away from the knuckle. I'm still in shock. Wow.

We quickly turned turned our attention to the important things to a cyclist: Eating, Riding and Fucking, sometimes the order may change depending on the day..." But as long as I can (insert noun)...I'm OK." Freddy gave the lay out of the course, conditions and the all important: HOW TO GET ONTO THE FRICKEN COURSE directions. We wished each other well for race day and would ride again on some Thursday night in the future.

I began course with a great feeling a dirt under my wheels, legs turning over the big gears, tires humming along. I was OK. A couple of technical sections here and there and I started to really wonder about my off road skills. My immediate thought: I need to get on the balance board more. I think part of me was reluctant about slamming down the torque and muscling my way through the technical sections. It was probably ghost thoughts of roady efficiency-go for cadence versus STOMP ON THE PEDALS.

The tech sections were overall, OK. Simply put OK. I could've done worse but I made it through OK. I guess I was hesitant abut damaging equipment and walking back to the Jeep, especially since I had no sense of distant (fricken bike CPU wasn't working). Long story short I ended up going off course and ended up with about 8 extra bonus mile (could've been more, but bike computer was down so who knows). The KoB is less than 3 weeks away.

Nemesis

2010-03-06T14:49:00.003-05:00

It appears my 2010 Nemesis will be Climb 3 on Mid Hammer Loop. Although today's ride was not as bad as "Ugh" from last week, it still, played with my mind a little today. Today was the 1st really nice riding day in a long, long while, probably since last fall. The temperature approached the 50's and the orange orb in the sky popped out.

I had been doing a descent gym work out with free weights this past week. Not quite old form but enough to motivate and keep going. (Sorry, closed my eyes for a moment and it felt..good, to slip into that warm haze of drowsiness and sail, sailing away from the Now, anyway...). I had realized this week, when I 1st started working out with free weights I had great gains, my boy got muscular, defined and was immediately noticeable post work out. The last 10 years or so, I realized I had 'plateaued' or rather stopped making gains & was just going through the motions with no truly hard efforts. I believe 'that' really showed. Although working out I failed to show any progress or new speed and strength for my efforts. I was just bulky. So this week's mantra had been: "100%. 100% OF THE TIME"

And you know I think it worked. Although the 1st mile of today's ride made me question that. Legs were tight and sore from going hard on the leg routines (470 lbs on the Leg Press and the Infiniti Sets on the Calf Raises & Leg Curls). By the 2nd mile I was OK. My split time remained off, or rather not where I'd like to see them, i.e. 0:25:14 at JCT 3/165.

I just rode today, feeling how the body feels, trying to gauge a King of Burlingame TT effort. Kind've concerned. Kind've ok (not by much). Kind've let's go 2011! The week's leg routine did well. My legs felt good on the climbs and pedaling was OK. Lungs on the other hand well, that kind've sucked. They just burned and felt like I couldn't inhale enough air.

As I climbed Ventoux I tried the old tricks I used to use, don't look up, concentrate, focus, pedal smooth, don't look up to where you are-it'll only discourage you. I went OK. I climbed Ventoux @ 6.5 mph ( In shape: 10.7mph is the norm). I was OK with that Its something I'll just have to work on this season.

I turned onto WoodHill for the turn around point, where some jack ass had driven his vehicle into the sign, knocking it down. I took the camera out and started taking some shots. I must've lost 3-4 minutes of time from a 'focused-effort' but it was sunny and warm, no rush. A;though in the back of mind I was wondering, what would be my elapsed time be for today.

I began thinking of last week and how confused I had become, thinking 1 hour 17 minutes was 6 minutes faster than the day before. I felt great. I was surging with confidence. I was on track to beat the previous day's time, 01:24:00, or so I thought. I ended up 6 seconds slower. Disappointing but not discouraging. It was still a good time. Today however I was under no such falsehoods. I was very aware 01:17:00 was the time to beat, if I chose to go for it.

Climb 3 lurked on this road I knew it was coming. I wasn't dreading it. I just knew it felt steep er than Ventoux and was shorter. I kept thinking how nice today was. The sun. The comparative warmth for this time of year. In my minds eye I could see leaves on the trees. Gone was the salty taste in the air from the winter. Gone were the icy patches on the road. There was just good road traction and of course potholes, sand piles and wet puddles, the type large enough for newly washed car drivers to swerve left into oncoming traffic to avoid an immediate 2nd trip to the car was. I allowed my mind to wonder and purchase a black Hummer H2. Today is a good day to buy a new car.

I eventually put the camera away and returned to pedalling the bike. I was feeling a little more tired for this section than usual. I thought nothing of it. Things were going OK. Legs were fine. Lungs were good enough. I climbed Ventoux at 6 mph-I was going to work on that. All I had left was Climb 3 and Heartbreak hill and then a quick shot home. I wondered what the elapsed time would be.

I made the sharp left turn onto Climb 3 and was already in the small chain ring by chance rather than on purpose. No problem. I'll just ride it out. I looked up, seeing the 2 straight sections of ascent and the middle flatish area. It looked like a scene from a horror movie.

The length of the road began to stretch into infinity. The climb rose as if Dante's inferno waited at the top. It was a weird 'Alice-in Wonderland' moment. No matter. I rode on and up. Almost immediately I felt the legs quiver, the steering sway. My upper body tightened. This was not going to be easier than last week. I stood on the pedals, hoping to gain some momentum. No such luck. I was just as slow standing as I was sitting. I glanced down at my bike computer. 5 miles per hour. 5 miles per hour. I never thought a bike could move so slow and maintain its balance. I began to wonder if I was going to fall over.

I stood on the pedals again this time determined to keep standing until I crested. Up pedal. Down pedal. Tug right handle bar. Down pedal. Tug left handle bar. Correct steering. My Spinergy front wheel's shadow no longer turned in a blur. It made a very clear "X" on the road.

I glance up. " Holy Shit." I almost wandered into an on-coming Chevy Blazer, metallic sand color. The fucker could've at least honked his horn. Freaking driver's honk every other flipping time, like when your at a corner, moving briskly with the flow of traffic, stopped, just for the hell of it, but of course, not this time. Not when it clear the rider (me) had no clue a car was approaching as my head was down staring at my "X" on the ground. I crested Climb 3, without oxygen in my lungs or sense of accomplishment. I thought only of only one word: Nemesis.

Heartbreak Hill came and went. My sprint to the topped lacked top end speed and of course oxygen too. I check my HRM's clock. Whoa. I could do it. I pressed on. Legs came alive again as I called out for the speed. I checked the bike's computer. I was moving. 29 miles per hour on a section i generally do 27 mile per hour. Already I could feel the oxygen deprivation rising. I backed left onto my street and raced to the mail box. 9 minutes faster than last week!

Ipod in my head: Korn "Right Now".

Sunday Post Ride

2010-02-28T17:05:00.004-05:00

Another Sunday Ride come and gone. I wouldn't call myself fat per se as if I were a non cyclist I'd actually think I'm good shape, not as lean as I'd like but enough muscle in my upper body to pass as being in shape. But I am a cyclist, a racer by own account and the numerous cross country mountain bike races I've participated in over the last decade or so.

I am a racer. an athlete. And it is by those standards that I hold my definition of "fit." I am unfit. I am in training. I will get back into shape after taking a year off from my nasty injury that still affects me today.

Today was a Mid Hammer Loop ride: Route 3 North to Route 165 South, Left onto Woodyhill Road and back onto Skunkhill Road towards Route 3 again: just under 18 miles.

Funny thing about the 'hills' in these parts, they're the jealous type,they don't let you forget them. In my fitter days prior to the injury I'd knock off a Hammer Loop without a second thought, a double when time allowed. I'd occasionally through the Mid Hammer Loop as part of a 2nd loop with the Hammer as the primary. No big deal. Everything clicked, tick off like clock work: Ventoux, Climb 3 Hammer, Climb 3 Mid, even Heartbreak Hill, all had their place in time on the Loop and the Loop was my regular training ride.

With the Loop I always knew what I'd get in terms of muscle worked, times to beat sections to work on. I just knew it and could plan around it. "We're leaving in 2 hours...you'd better be ready to go" my wife would say. "Ok great" I'd reply. I'd say to myself I got time to bang out a Mini Hammer Loop with plenty of time, I'd have time for a Mid Hammer Loop if I wanted to push things and get my wife tense with my post ride antics like eating and showering. I'd could generally do a blistering pace Mini and feel like I've trained for the day. I'm sure every racer is like that with their local routes.

After my injury and the slow recovery of just being able to ride, road only for a few months. I experimented with different routes. I'd do the Big River Loop, a simple up and back run: Route 3 North to JCT 3/95 turning around at the Big River Parking area (where my Thursday Night Mountainbike Ride meets-Bat Patrol aka Genglers Gang). Nooseneck Hill is the major climb on that route. Its not steep, just long (for around here anyway), maybe a half mile or longer. Its a good climb, its what you make of it. You can JRA or hammer it and be just as rewarded. This was the only route where I'd see other riders, usually riding in the opposite direction but still, it was other riders. By that point I had been so isolated from my riding/racing community any sign of others like me was welcomed, even sought out. Mountain biking is different--you either start out as group and ride that way or you simply pass each other, criss crossing at trail intersections.

Seeing roadies on the road is a little different, if you you're going the same way there's the chance to match speed, drafting (after asking) and for short while share a little conversation for a mile or two.

It was during this time I started riding Big River Loop with greater frequency and throwing in a Mini Hammer Loop now and then, completely ignoring Mid and Hammer. After all Big River Loop had the same miles and almost same number of climbs. I became pretty comfortable climbing Nooseneck Hill, not as fast pre-injury but enough not to suffer like a wounded dog. I felt I could return to Mid and Hammer at any time with no ill effects. Climbing is climbing right?

The last few weeks back on my 'usual' loops gave me the answer. Ventoux let me know exactly why I named it Ventoux. Climb 3 on Mid Hammer reminded me how I used to look forward to that short level section mid climb, its only 2 rotations long but enough 'let-up' to allow some much need oxygen into my lungs and brain. Heartbreak Hill remains true as always with the Stump Sprint marker teasing me to go ahead and sprint for the last 20 yards, " Go on...GO...you use to pick up 5 mph faster when you started to sprint from here to the top...go on...GO..." the hill would whisper to me as began the ascent.

The hills around here definitely let you know what you need and where you've been. They also let you know exactly where you are. I crested Heartbreak looked at my HRM and thought I was going faster than yesterday. "I'm 4 minutes faster right now" I thought to myself, "I can beat yesterday's time" even though I captured the slowest times on all climbs and my legs felt dead and heavy. I could beat yesterday's time. I dropped the hammer and pegged the last mile home, feeling great, high with expectation of beating my time.

I pushed on. I felt like fluid, as one. I turned onto my street marked my mail box as the finish line as always, noted the kids playing in front. "Not to self, Don't run over children." I picked my line and darted between the kid and mail box crossing the finish line and stopping the clock. "I did it I did it. Holy Shit. I did it."

It was only after I looked at my training journal did I find out the truth. 6 seconds slower than yesterday. Oh well. No time to dwell, switch over to sneakers, throw on running pants and windbreaker with my kit still on and grab a leash. The dog would like a walk and so would I.

Ugh

2010-02-27T20:32:00.005-05:00

I'll jump right Climb 3, Mid Hammer Loop...Ugh! I had started today's ride with every intention of just doing simple base miles. I am, a long way off from where I'd like to be and even further away than where I should be. I had a couple of good, really good gym sessions, focusing more on legs than upper body, keeping the little demons of 'Bench-more' & 'Lift More' reserved just for my legs, after -all, I am a cyclist. A large upper body or fitness model physique would be counter productive.

My gym time this week made me realize as easy as it is for me to lift and push bigger weights, I'm really not pushing myself as hard as I ought to be. Let me explain. When I first started working out I had tremendous gains in my physique, arms and chest toned, legs were always strong, it was the one area I excelled with ease-pushing large weights with my legs. Although I never quite developed the 6 pack abs that are always desired. No matter how hard I worked at it the best I could develop was a 4 pack. No problem, 4 it is. I remember during that time I always tried to push a little more, lift a little more and before I knew it my arms were toned and firm, larger, meaner, a 'don't fuck with me' definition. Somehow between then and I now, I stopped pushing and my body quite naturally plateaued. My work-out were still hard but they became, routine. And I think that is the key, for me anyway: Breaking the routine.

Unfortunately I am stuck at the YMCA for a gym, it close, its adequate, its cheap. The leg press station at the Y has a 450 lbs limit, meaning the most I could ever load onto the station is 450lbs. When I left Golds Gym 3 years ago I was able to do 900lbs sets, before that my personal best was about 1250lbs. That was awesome. I'm not a body builder by any means but the looks on the BIG muscle guys' faces when tripled their leg press weights right after them was fun, the jaw drops and eye pops were motivating. Of course they could easily out bench me on the barbells but my moment of glory on the Leg Press was equal if not surpassed their normal-take-it-for-granted upper body strength.

I could feel the climbs were easier today. The legs today were talking to me. "Hey. We're OK down here. Keep going. We're good." I like it when my legs talk to me like that. Come to think of it my legs hardly complain. Its usually my lungs that do all the talking, quite expectedly through my mouth, gobbling up big chunks of air, exhaling with enough force to knock over a small child. On occasion, I do feel my legs burn but that usually when the lungs can not ingest enough air and the Captain is calling for warp 10. (Feel free to insert your best Scottish reply).

I didn't start out fast. I didn't want to. This was going to be a steady get re-acquainted with a longer ride type of ride. My team mates are already talking about 80 mile rides for the Mark Nicholson Remembrance Ride. 80 miles? Whoa. Right now that seems out of my range given my current physical condition. 3 years ago sure. 2 years ago why not. Last year...see early February postings. This year, I'm just a long way from there, at least for now anyway. For the most part the ride was good. Bike and legs were clicking along. A good but reserved effort was put in. I climbed up Route 3 North like I intended, with purpose.

Turning into 165 South wavered my resolve to complete the Mid Hammer Loop. I noticed water spots along the road and damp areas. I believe my last temperature read was 38 degrees according to an electronic sign on Route 3. But this was Route 165 with a descending road and possible, possibly dropping temperatures. I began to question the roads safety immediately. " I really don't want to hit the deck at 39 mph." I began feathering the breaks to my disappointment, sitting a little more upright than aero, I was gonna go easy down this road.

Then I began thinking, "Ventoux is on this loop." I looked more closely to the road for the slightest hint of ice. The rains had left the roads in near post war condition, potholes the size of a 3mm grenade launcher round, chunks of road the size my fist scattered along the side by the batches of a dozen or more. I'd would've felt more comfortable on my mountainbike.

I continued my descent down Route 165 South,darting underneath the Route 95 overpass, feathering the brakes, scrutinizing the road for any hint of ice, any hint of justification for bailing out onto Arcadia road. Again I thought to my self as I swayed far left into the middle of the road,avoiding a long stretch of melting snow and rain run off. "I out here right now. I didn't come here to leave early." Arcadia road was fast approaching at the base of this descent, its the primary turn for the Mini Hammer Loop and it serves as the 1st and lst bail out point for the Mid Hammer Loop. "Commit or quit."

I reach the base, bang gears and prepare my self for the short riser continuing past Arcadia road. I stand up on the pedals with force and determination. The cold was enveloping me. A white car passed my as I rose. I suddenly became aware of my exhaling breath as it's steam exploded out of my mouth like a Arthurian dragon, the steam rolling past me on either side as I forced down each pedal stroke. Ventoux approaches.

The light was bright enough to cast shadows onto the road despite an overcast grey sky. As old as the Spinergy Rev X's may be, they are still a really cool wheel to look at in motion. I feel like a cat sometime watching its shadow spin forward on the road making that distinct circled x shape as it emits the whum-whump sound like a helicopter. My hands grips the hoods as I resume feathering brakes. The roads are shit today demanding focus and attention.

I pass Arcadia's Mid Lot, usually a rally point for the non-local mountainbikers. I usually take a quick glance to see if I know any of the cars in the lot's trail head. Not today, too much debris in the road. Besides I just shot passed a pot hole that reminded me of my crash on Route 2 just under the 95 overpass several years ago. I had broken 3 ribs. I shook my head, don't want to relive that experience.

Ventoux was just beyond that small climb and short flat section. I began Ventoux in the large ring, curious to see if I could make all the way in the large ring like so many times in the past. Not today. I got just over half way up before I felt the need for the small ring and the urge to sit. actually my lungs were hanging out my mouth and my heart split into two and were dangling out each ear. That's when I knew I had to shift gears and ride it out. I noted the 10.5 mile mark on my computer, strangely enough it nearly coincided with the mail box marker i had been using for years.

The descent down Ventoux was largely uneventful, I did have to swing wide and left into the idle of 165 to avoid a section of ground chatter. Couple of really bad debris sections but nothing more. A left onto Woodyhill Road, Climb 3 another left onto Skunkhill, Heartbreak and done for the day.
Climb 3 is a short steepish section for this area. It begins moderately then in the middle is a 20-30 feet level section then the last section, over all less than a half mile:climb to summit. I shifted gears. This was base. No heroic effort needed. Just gut it out and then descend. I had already shifted into the smaller chain ring. I just didn't want to lay down effort. Before I knew it I was standing on the pedals tugging and grunting on the handle bars. Already feeling the oxygen deprivation affect my head. Face felt warm. Sucking in air almost enough to pull the pine needles off the branches. It was almost like an out of body experience or a climb-take over. I put in a harder effort than I mentally planned. As if my muscle memory collectively said "I want to climb with effort" And I did. And it was paid for with lungs and pounding heart rate.
Ugh! I've only reached the level section. Grin and bear it just 'a little' more a head. "They call me Cowboy...a singer in black...show me your finger and let me know where you at..." . "I, AM, AMERICAN BAD ASS!" Yep that's me with lungs out my mouth and split-heart dangling out each ear.

On the descent down I think I figured out the mystery to my HRM readings from September where I record Max HR readings of 202 bpm. The vibration from the road particularly on choppy descents. I noticed my HRM read 201 on a descent with choppy road and it returned a normal reading when I stabilized it with my hand. At least I now know I wasn't suffering painless phantom heart attacks.

Heartbreak Hill proved to be a little bit of a reward: Climb, done, descend and cruise on home.

iPod- "American Bad Ass" Kid Rock

The UCI--Uneducated Cycling Inbreeds

2010-02-22T23:32:00.007-05:00

Again I'm left shaking my head at the Union Cycliste International (UCI), According to Velo news, Alberto Contador will not be able to race his newly developed Specialized TT bike, Shiva due to a UCI rule where the head tube extends 8 cm beyond acceptable measurements. It appears there may have been some miscommunication between the UCI rep and Specialized reps over the method of calculation.

My continued disgust with the UCI arises from its backwards mentality of retarding progress for the sake of 'tradition.' Clowns. I did read earlier on a reaction to the ruling part of the goal of the UCI is to limit the gap between well-financed/sponsored teams and the less affluent teams where technology may not be so abundant.

To some extent I see their point and in a lot of ways it does make sense, its almost admirable. However this is racing, this sport where the only limit to technology should be and always be racer safety. If the UCI wants to maintain some level of tradition to close the gap between well financed teams and highly capable 'farm' teams, FINE. Keep the rules. Maybe it'll keep the playing field level. But the UCI should let the Time Trial format free, allow whatever design or material free to explore and push the boundaries of human propulsion. (I'll admit it--I do not like recumbents). Who knows where racing could be if the UCI didn't interfere with its growth?

The 13 pound bike weight limit, the mandate of a double triangle road bike configuration, the ban of Levi Leipheimer's simulated 'lotus' position, Graeme Obree, Cinelli bar ends, Cannondale's rollerwheel concept, race radios (That it still don't get-every sport requires communication between the players and its coaches. Those fucking idiots. I'm getting angrier just thinking about the UCI lack of vision and poor decisions regarding cycling: Uneducated Cycling Inbreeds).

The emotional stuff. I get so angry at the UCI over its numerous decisions that affect my sport. Part of me really wants to take a chair and smack them upside the head screaming "Why don't you get it?!!" This is racing. Racing is pushing limits. Racing is being the fastest hence the term racing. Cycling as sport isn't a dog and pony show or beauty pageant, its a race: Fastest one wins. Fastest one wins. Pretty simply rule: fastest one wins. The UCI should spend more time promoting racer safety than measuring bicycle geometry.

Their efforts to curtail doping, commendable (Although the punitive ruling against Floyd Landis seems wrong. So that means if you defend yourself or question the UCI's methodology of drug testing they'll slap you with a $100K fine for challenging the lab's procedures? That's like saying if your accused of murder and you question forensics labs procedures the court will fine you a $100k for questioning the lab. Really?) The ruling to make the TT helmet an actual crash worth piece of safety equipment rather than an aerodynamic fairing, commendable. Allowing mechanical support at MTB races-STUPID, defeats the 'spirit' of mountainbiking-you brought yourself into the woods, you can bring yourself out of the woods. I see it as the MTB equivalent of the UCI road tradition. No mechanical help in MTB races, none.

That Shiva is a beautiful machine. It looks like a 3D laser meant to pierce into the wind like a supersonic carbon fiber arrow. It looks so fast, like one pedal stroke would take out Marty McFly's '84 Delorian and give Leah Thompson quick slap on the ass at the same time....uh see the movie "Back to The Future" for clarification.

Sunday Post Ride--TT Effort

2010-02-21T22:30:00.004-05:00

And it begins...Still unable to find my Heart Rate Monitor. Sucks. I would've liked to know with some surety what was happening to my body while I was laying down a hard effort. Not to be. Too bad.

I clipped in with my Specailized MTB Epic Comp shoes into the Egg Beater pedals. Body Geometry gloves gripped the handle bar. If I'm gonna put ina hard effort, I might as well dress in full kit for it.

I did find my knee warms, safely tucked away in a previously worn shirt. How the missing knee warmer got there is...Your guess is as good as mine. Today I told myself I was going to do a Time Trial effort for the Mini Hammer (3N to 165 S to Arcadia Rd and back up Skunkhill). I started out strong. No warm up. Typically I never warm up, I know I should but I just don't...why tire yourself out before the race? Strangely enough, today I questioned myself about that.

I pushed off today from my driveway, almost immediately I wondered if should've thrown on another undershirt. The air although warm standing still had a chill only a cyclist would know. The type of chill that grabs your arms and won't let go until the 1st climb. Too late for that now. Its already later than I planned. I need to go now.

I'm motoring down my street away from my house, legs kicking over the cranks. I was underway. I'm feeling ok, especially at the start. I knew today I was going to put a hard effort. I told myself yesterday I would. TT Sunday I called it. I wanted to see if there was any improvement in my times, since I started the Mini Hammer over 3 weeks ago. So far so good, I reach Route 3 in under 4 minutes. I average 5 minutes. This is encouraging. It didn't last.

I'm part way up the 1st climb when I realize I need to re think the TT effort. I am crawling up Route 3. I'm slower than yesterday and nothing is feeling right, not legs, not lungs, nothing. Ok I tell myself, I'll do a focused effort or a hard effort. I resign my self to doing a focused effort, screw racing or personal TT. I'm gonna ride hard and with focus, which meant I'd turn the cranks as steadily as possible under a hard effort.

A couple of times I felt my heart jumping out of my mouth. I would've loved to have seen my max heart rate. I wasn't putting a race effort I was keeping the tempo high, high for me at this point. I wanted to beat 57 minutes. That was my mental goal: 57 minutes. I wasn't gonna count seconds here are there due to intersection crossings. Today it seemed like all the cars were on the Mini Hammer Loop.

Sorry folks...I'll have to cut this one short. I'm falling asleep on the keyboards. I did it though, beat 57 minutes. I hammered in at 48 minutes. For the 1st time this year, I was pleased. Maybe I would've been faster if I had warmed up. We'll See.

Ipod: Tool. "Prison Sex"

Every Gear Fighting

2010-02-20T21:41:00.009-05:00

I began the day at 530 a.m. Saturday. I had fallen asleep on the couch in our media room, laptop precariously leaning away from me. It was still dark-ish, the hazy muted blue slowly illuminating the outside thru my windows chasing the dark away when clumped my way to the kitchen. Yesterdays coffee would be faster in the microwave than a new batch.
I started the day organizing our DVD collection, well over 300 titles. We stopped renting DVDs' rather 'tapes' over a decade ago. We were just plain: BAD with returning them. The impetus for this shift from renter to buyer had started just after the birth of my oldest daughter. She was 2&half months old at this point when my wife and I discovered the VHS copy of Jurassic copy safely nestled between the driver's seat and the door of the Volvo. "Oh my god." holding the movie between us, "why didn't you return this?" , "I had a baby? Why didn't you return it?" , "Ahh you had a baby."

The fee was over $75.oo but my wife had managed to talk clerk down to $25. Still, it was steep. That was the last time we rented as full members to any video club. Since that time we have acquired well over 300 titles that's not including the kids' titles and Disney. My god, Disney. Jasmine, Belle and fricken-Mulan owe me a few lap dances for the amount of Disney products we've purchased over the years.
As I said my day begins with organizing our DVD collection: A-Z and documentaries separate, It was largely successful. They, the grown-up DVD's are ordered. The kids' DVDs' on the other hand, need a little more work.
I had lost several hours helping my mother with errands and I watched as the sun hung high in the noon time sky while I waited in a car, Waited in car to be washed . Waited for the lunch to be finished Then finally a return drive home and the mad scramble to gear-up and ride before the sun sinks low.

Gear, gear where's my gear? Ok part of kit is there...where's the knee warmers...I got the arm warmers...here's one of the knee warmers...where's the other..."F-word"...screw-it I'll toss on a Prl-Iz set: besides black is nice color contrast. Now where's my HRM? Here's the strap...it was right here (on the table next to the bad and dangerously close to the German Shepherd's bed)...I hope the dog didn't eat it...Damn it was good deal too from Caster's...well I didn't see pieces anywhere and the dog has been ok: no barf, no signs of foreign object in the g.i. tract. No HRM on this ride..again.

Finally. Out the door and underway. The day's agenda: Mini-Hammer: Rout3 N/JCT 165 South on to Arcadia Road-one 3-mile climb up Route 3 and an easy breezy ride home. I had hit the gym on Thursday night, unusual for me as I typically spend that time in Big River with Bat Patrol a.k.a. Gengler's Gang, but it was the pre-season and the trail conditions are terrible for any meaningful training or riding. I believe the group was doing a Big River Stroll...walking. It's a nice idea...you know taking your bike for a walk similar to walking your dog but not my thing. I'd call it hiking myself and leave the bikes behind but hey whatever. (Just kidding-they didn't take bikes for a walk but from what I hear they did walk through some riding trails).

At the gym, I had broken up my long lasting-supersets to individual sets. I had started supersets as time saver cutting my work out from an hour and a half to just under an hour. Very hard but effective. But that night I had a little time. Concentration is always on legs: Go heavy and often. But when it came time for upper body that was harder than planned. You see the jack-assess at the gym (The YMCA) doesn't know enough to maintain their equipment so what ends up happening the dumbbells have lost their weight labels. In their defense all the equipment works, but I think more of luck than actual diligence.

Anyway I planned on doing an lite set of 50's, a simple 3 set 12 reps for chest. I grab the dumb bells and sit on the bench a few inches behind me. Sit down. Hoist the weights on to my lap. Lean back,flat on the bench and then pull the dumbbells to my chest. "Oh fuck. I'm weaker than I thought...this is gonna suck" I thought to my self as brought the dumbbells parallel to my chest, readying them for the set. One set. Rest. Two set. Rest, feeling a little light headed. Third and final set....eight...nh-iiiine...TEN: Fuck it! DONE!!! Eleven and twelve were not meant to be. Sucked.

I look back at the rack to return the weights. Wait a minute, 45, 50's are in place? What? 55's... 60's. I look up ahead. Oh no wonder why...I was pushing 75's. JFC. 75 pound dumbells were not really all that hard when I was just going to the gym and not focusing on cycling. 75's where my median dumbell set when I wasn't going big. I haven't tried to push 75's in over 4 years, purposely staying away from bigger weights, which is surprisingly hard to do. Mentally I always want to push heavy weights. Pushing big weights in the gym is contradictory to most cycling training programs.

While I was on the bike, I started thinking...its warm outside, I got 2 full water bottles, lets do Mid Hammer Loop: Route 3N to Route 165S left onto Woodyhill Road and back onto Skunkhill Road, ball park-18 miles / 3 'major' climbs / 1 'tough' minor hill (tough only because of its placement-near the end of the ride for all Hammer Loops). Why not? I'll do a TT on Mini Hammer on Sunday to see if there's been any change from last week. That's it. Mid-Hammer is a go.

I wasn't going do a TT-effort on Mid, I was going to do a JRA and the climbs would take care of any 'effort.' Pride would also help too. Mid Hammer and Hammer contains a climb I call "Ventoux" named after one the mountains in the Tour de France. The real Ventoux in France is a monstrous climb for the average cyclist, average gradient 7.43 % and the last 16Km 8.9% grade.
My Ventoux is no where nearly as tough BUT it's 'my' Ventoux. I think the thing that gets me about this climb is, deep down no matter level of fitness you are in, this climb always makes you feel like you can ride it better, faster. And on this day, I was reminded. I'm sure there are steeper climbs out in RI, maybe longer but those deceivingly easy. Easy in the sense: Its a steep climb/Its a hard climb. You know its going to be hard. You just know it. But Ventoux, Ventoux looks like a cake walk...climb up and reach the top, all done. While you ride it however it teases you--"You can go faster. I'm not that steep. Faster. I'm not that long. You'd be embarrassed if you stopped here, wouldn't you?"

As a fit rider, I was pushing 12.5 miles per hour. Today I crawled it, about 7 mph, if that. I never thought of stopping but, really, I'm no where near where I was. I started the climb in a harder gear than usual, finding easier to shift to an easier gear and finding it rather than trying to shift into an easier gear and not having an easier gear to shift to.

I turned over the cranks, slowly methodically, pulling all my mental games to get me through, standing at the base, turning over the cranks until I could stand no more. Sitting, looking down at the road, knowing the grimace of pain is all over my face. I look down so the cars passing me can not see it. Click. "I'll use every gear if I have to even the small ring and the freaking 23" , Click, "every gear fighting" ,"I'm climbing this bitch."My arms were getting sore, forearms taught, straining. Legs grinding up and pushing down, thigh muscles flexing from the effort. I can feel my face heating up, like a drunk from 3 shots of Jack Daniels.
I look up. I'm not even have way up. Fuck. Batten down the hatches. Climb bitch climb. And I did. I climbed until I reached the symbol of the summit. Some resident's mail box. Too spent for a pix and disrespectful if I snapped a shot of their mailbox with their number on it. Besides the downhill was fast approaching. I wonder what their house looks like. Tally-ho! Down 165 we go.

Ventoux was Climb 2 on Mid Hammer. Climb 3/Woodyhill and Heartbreak Hill remained. Climb 3 is a short steepish climb, quarter to half a mile climb with the barking dog at the top. It was tough for me but expected. At least if I stopped (which I wouldn't) no one would see it as its a country back road only the locals use.

Heartbreak hill remained. I don't know what's its real name is but its the last climb on the Loop, shorter than Woodyhill and just as steep, but it comes at the end of the Loop and it can hurt. I've done Double Hammer Loops and this hill fills me with dread: "Do I have the leg to make it home?"

Heartbreak was kind today. Still hard but tolerable, especially since my road bike a little unreliable right now, skipping gears under torque. Not a pleasant thought when oxygen deprived and felling like you're gonna slam your face onto your bars. I'll try swapping out cassette for tomorrow's TT effort on Mini Hammer.

What surprised me about ride was how 'spent' I felt in the 2 hours post ride. I napped out for about 30-45 minutes. Just total body shut down. I showered. Ate. Sat down on the sofa and promptly blacked out. Weird. It's happened before. I know other cyclist experience the same thing. Post ride an over whelming need to sleep, like your eyes are being forced shut and your body is seizing into rigour mortise, facial cheeks feel tight, eyes sinking into your skull. I wonder what causes it or what's happening to your body. I'll have to look it up.

Bike Culture

2010-02-14T23:43:00.005-05:00

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3840024&CAWELAID=413760912

I had picked up this book at Barnes and Noble on Saturday and couldn't put it down. Its fascinating. It makes nice coffee table book: big on pictures and short captions. If you're looking for something revealing about 2009 Tour de France's internal Astana rivalry between Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador: nothing here, maybe 2 photos at most and nothing controversial nor inflammatory. Lance takes a truthful but diplomatic approach to the caption of Alberto and Lance at an Astana press conference in Tenerife: "This was probably as friendly as it got between me and Alberto Contador..." The photos are interesting, at the very least: its not a Grahm Watson. Nothing against him but he's like the Walmart photographer of the TdF and cycling. I get tired of seeing his photographs and style...its like 'establishment' photography.

I digress. Love Lance or hate Lance, the book "Comeback 2.0" gives you a snap shot of a year in the life of one the biggest stars of our world (cycling). I particularly enjoyed the lesser known events photographed during the 'comeback' year. Shots of the Tour de Gilla, the Lance clones-hysterical, The Amgen Tour of California Superfan in Australia. Overall a great 'read' (its not really reading as it is looking at pictures and reading 4-7 line captions.

The book does have a staged feeling about it. One gets the sense each photograph carefully chosen, each word and caption planned out. You are left with a feeling its a piece of propaganda than a genuine piece photographic insight. My personal opinion: he did the book as a way of helping out a friend, the photographer Elizabeth Kreutz.

The book itself could've given a little more explanation of who the people in the photos are. Example, I had know idea who Anna was until 'BANG' here's a picture of this Anna girl giving birth to Lance's 4th child, Maxwell. I thought it was cool he dated Sheryl Crow and thought it was too bad when they broke up. I last heard he was seen in New York night club with an Olsen twin on his lap: Vive le Lance. Whatever. In one of the photo's Lance is helping his son Luke (?) build a soap box race car, in the background there is an oil slick black Buick Skylark that Sheryl Crow had given him from a TLC episode of "Overhaulin'" I wonder if he thought of that when he decided to include the photograph? As I read the book I wondered if anything Sheryl Crow would be included. That photograph was as close as it got. Also no Greg Lemond. No Brodie Miller. Again, nothing controversial. Not the reason I bought the book either.

I was hoping to gain a little more insight into the 2010 TdF campaign. I found it interesting, he did disclose a tactical racing error during the '09 TdF, where he let the Schlecks and Contador go, on one of the climbs, essentially causing him to lose 2nd place. Which makes me wonder, if he didn't make that mistake would he have kept helping Alberto defend yellow? Or would it have been de ja'veux of Hineault/Lemond? Meaning if Armstrong kept 2nd place going into the last 3 stages of the TdF, would he help defend or seize an opportunity to take the lead. We'll never know for certain.

I think, he would've helped defend the yellow jersey as I believe him to see the big picture, the team win. A splintered team can not defend and win the yellow jersey in Paris. At that point, it appeared Astana was splintered into the Armstrong camp and the Contador camp, and Armstrong had already lost Leipheimer earlier, so he would've been down and Allie if he needed to defend a yellow jersey. If Armstrong had taken the yellow jersey early I really doubt Alberto would've helped defend it for the team. Sports are filled with ego's, cycling is no different.

Alberto is talented rider. Once can not simply win the The Tour AND the other 2 grand classic if he didn't have skill. Maybe you've heard of the Giro d'Italia and umm the Vuelta Espana? Even as talented as he may be, I see him as all muscle and no brain. He's got great talent and form but I wonder, can he really win on his own? True Lance had won the TdF 7 times BUT he had the master strategist on his side too: Johan Bruyneel. Alberto will not be as fortunate this year to have Johan on his team. That advantage goes to Team Radioshack.

Bicycling magazine.

I'm growing to like this magazine again, with its scattered bits of information about the bicycling community. I'd say cycling but that would lead you to believe, think more of racers. Bicycling magazine as of late seems to be more focused on...bicycling again. The last editor, in retrospect seemed like a clown. I had stopped purchasing the magazine because of the overall feeling the magazine left with after I read it. As odd as it may seems it seemed like it was talking down to me, but let me explain 1st: It talked down to me like a 7 year old trying to instruct a 30 year old how to drive a car. I rarely picked up those issues, and if I did it was only to read a specific article and leave it on the stand soon after.

Sunday Post Ride

2010-02-14T21:38:00.016-05:00

OK, it's above 35 degrees and I've convinced my self to hit the road. Earlier in the day I took a drive in the Jeep out to Westerly for an errand. While Driving I was scanning the sides checking for any signs of treacherous black ice or snow. The trip down to westerly proved encouraging. On the return trip I did see 3-4 roadies riding in the opposite direction. This was a sign...I need to join them. If I had any doubts or unwillingness in my lazy bones, I needed to shed it off and suit up. The ritual began as usual...a scheduled 200 o'clock ride found its start time more along 330. Of course you need to drink coffee before heading out, never mind I had already had 4 cups by this point, an usual amount for me by this time of day. I had drastically reduced my coffee consumption over the last year or two. Then comes the...deposit of excess weight. Then prepping the bike and looking for 2 water bottles. Then at long last...suiting up, an almost ritual unto itself for this time of year. Its not like summer months...shoes, socks, bib, jersey, helmet, gloves, water/bar, cpu go.

Oh no. this involves layers: the socks-doubled of course, the base layers, the cycling tights and the questioning dilemma...should I wear under my bib shorts or over and cover up the team logos? If I were them under...it'll be a little uncomfortable and well..just not used to having something that form fitting hanging out with the boys. I've worn cycling shorts for years but...tights without a chamois? Well...that gets a little...whoaaa...a little shift left and then under the bib shorts the tights go. I throw on the sleeveless base top, then the pull over the bib shoulders, the long sleeve base top followed by the arm warms the jersey and finally the windproof vest. A quick toss of the head band and I 'm ready. Ready until I look down and see my heart rate strap coil up like a n oval sleeping black snake. "Fuck!"
It's a 'free ride' today, no heart rate monitor today. Spin easy. Base miles. I already know form last week my HR Max is gonna hit me on the middle part 1st climb. And just like last week it'll leave questioning my return to racing this year. "May be.." , "...maybe I won't come back this year...maybe I'll just ride my mountain bike and never have to 'train' on the road again?" Funny how the lack of oxygen and a pounding heart takes you to your own little cycling existential agnosticism: Cycling doesn't exist. MTB XC Racing doesn't exist. The racer in me doesn't exist.

Yep, that moment hit me about 10 minutes into my ride. Typically its on a climb along Route 3 North for this time of year and especially given my current condition. Normally the existence questions would hit me until lap 2 of The Hammer Loop on the CT side of Route 165 South. But this time of year it hits me early. This climb, if I'm in fair shape I'd take at 2-3 miles per hour faster. I am in almost disbelief at the rate I am climbing...if your could call it that. Climbing indicates a forward movement, an upward movement. At this rate, I'd be considered going backwards. I haven't yet tackled the Hammer Loop this year, almost afraid to really. Afraid in the sense I don't want to face the potential reality of realizing, this year may be impossible, 2008 may have been my last year racing competitively. Just not ready to face that tune. I want to feel good about the doing a few loops on Mini Hammer before I return to the regular Hammer Loop. I need it. Besides by the time I reach the 1st bail out point for Hammer Loop (Arcadia Road on 165 South), I'm already chilled to the bone and look forward to some hot tea. I secretly dread the thawing out of my toes when I return and focus on the tea to get me back. Its really painful.

I haven't looked at the data on my short ride. But I am hopeful. I managed to stay in the big ring only for the entire ride which I refer to as BRO rides. I threw in a few sprints on the climbs up Route 3 North, probably about (3) 50 yard hard efforts, racing to the bike signs. I felt kind of strong and...encouraged. I managed not to embarrass myself at 'official' time split: JCT 3/165. In shape my personal best was something like 19 Minutes and 23 seconds. Today I'm hoping to beat 30 minutes. Last week was a disaster. I think I came in under 28 minutes. I was partially relieved. Along the ride I did see a few other roadie tracks, maybe half a dozen or so riders. maybe the same group I saw last weekend. Who knows. My right leg felt a little 'off.' But since the injury it has always felt off. Off when I walk, I feel it lag and sway with each step. On the bike, I feel it as a little week, but I'm so out of shape, I could be confusing it with general out of form conditioning. We'll see.

The Radio inside my head: My Chemical Romance, "Teenagers Today", kept playing over and over and over. Good thing I like the song.

Culture POP

2010-02-07T22:46:00.009-05:00

Ok, living in a semi-rural area of Rhode Island, culture or the exposure to it just isn't what it used to be, we had lived in Boston, Massachusetts 10 years ago and it has taken its time to adjust...or rather is the phrase: "It has taken its toll..."

Anyway, recently watched "Slummdog Millionare" over the weekend on DVD. It was a good film, I just didn't think it should've won the Academy Award for 2009 Best Film. I liked the personification of poverty it portrayed for Salim's character. Although its a fictional film, you can't help but notice the kernels of truths in the film, the stark poverty of millions, millions of people not only in India where the film takes place, but across the globe. Its poverty Americans only see on a television commercial or read about in a news paper. I believe a film can bring that awareness to its viewer in a way that news report or documentary can not.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1264618240/tt1010048

I think this because a film typically glamorizes the scene or makes it dramatic and beautiful, but poverty, simply is not glamorous-millions of people living in slums, picking through landfills of trash to eek out a living, doing what is necessary simply to live. Could you do what it takes? Could you or I exist on that level? I suppose it would be harder for us since we know of the American 'good' life: Home, Food, Family, Money. If you have nothing to start, then those things are merely dreams and you settle into your existence of reality: wouldn't it be nice...?
We do it too in America. Wouldn't it be nice...to win the lottery...have a personal assistant...drive a Lamborghini...etc We're really not worried about our next meal or finding shelter for the night.
Oh yeah...and the movie? It was worth seeing.

PS3
Call Of Duty 4, Modern Warfare
Oh My God. This is an incredible game. I just started playing it and its got me hooked. I think the story line of it taking place in current time has something to do with it. Its a visually incredible game rich in texture and engrossing action. Its one of the few games that touch upon an emotional response. I liken it to the 1st time you place Call of Duty D-day or whatever its called. At that time you just weren't expecting WWII films or games to be that graphic and in turn 'that' real. Most of us grew watching WWII clips in black and white, old John Wayne movies...people got shot then they fell down, no holes in the uniform, no blood curling scream, no look of stark terror. It was a relatively clean blood less image. "Saving Private Ryan" changed all that. World War II was now viewed as real war, where real people died horrible combat deaths. Suddenly the 'ancient' war seemed real, as real as a Vietnam War documentary. War is hell and should never be forgotten how truly terrible it is.
This game brings a touch of realism to gaming, rather it plays upon an unclean type of war, a war of terrorism and insurgency. I found myself reluctant to take part in a terrorist scene of murdering innocent civilians. Amazing a game could achieve that type or 'character' morality. This is one you should play.

http://www.callofduty.com/

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/boxshot.php?pid=939213&popup=1

The Super Bowl.
I didn't watch it. I suspended our satellite service until July, maybe sooner depending if Directv gets Versus again. I'm only interested in TV for the Tour de France and some other cycling stuff. I just can't get over forking over $80 bucks a month for television. $80 times 12 that's what? Over $960 a year. Holy shit.
I only found out yesterday it was the Colt & the Saints playing. LOL. I did want the Saints to win. I like their uniforms better. You're right not a huge American Football fan. I grew up rooting for the Dallas Cowboys...Tony Dorsett, Roger Staubach. Just lost interest in Football after childhood.

Quick Shots:

DRINK: Tried a new whiskey, Fireball from Canada. Kind of sweet ,strong cinnamon flavor. Keep it away from children. Tasty.

IPOD: Death Cab for Cutie..."Cath" nice sound, and "Meet me on the Equinox" I think its lyrics are pretencious and melodramatic, but overall I like it.

PURCHASED: Toshiba 1Terrabyte External Hard Drive. BJ's. $89.00

....And again, I spent too much time on the web.

Sunday Post Ride

2010-02-07T22:02:00.004-05:00

Ok, this is is the kit I never wore during the 2009 MTB XC Race season. Isn't it pretty? Windtech vest-quite comfortable and so well designed: I can pull a phone out of my back pocket without breaking cadence. Remarkable. Bib-shorts with a meshed pocket...for race radios. As if I'd ever really need it, it does hold an Ipod quite nicely although rather difficult to access while riding. Hopefully you've picked out the playlist you really like.

Today was in the low 30's, sunny with a slight breeze. Legs felt heavy, reluctant to work, hesitant to spin the gears. This was a casual ride, you know: get-back into the swing of things sort of ride. I was sick last week with cold or flu and just didn't ride, didn't train, didn't do a god-damned thing related for race training.

Today's little excursion confirmed all my expectations, 'Its gonna take a alot of work to get back into some sort of ridable shape.' I rode the road bike today: the Red Cannondale CAAD3 with complete Shimano 105 9speed and Spinergy Rev X wheels. The gears skip after a hard torque on the pedals, I suspect its the cogs. Someday I'll get around to replacing it.

I spun the 39 ring for most of the ride and road the Mini-Hammer Loop (Route 3 North to Route 165 South on to Arcadia Road). I've been doing this loop as for several years, during fitter years I'd occasional ride this loop as quickie work out. If I'm in shape I'd bang it out in under 42 minutes, its about a 13.5 miles. Today well...not surprisingly took almost 53 minutes.

I keep telling myself I did the loop as a casual ride, small ring only, no sprinting effort, just a ride, experiencing the cold, the brightness of the sun, the saltiness of the air from the drying rock salt from the road. I was just spinning, looking at my computer, shocked. Am I really climbing this slowly? 7.5 miles per hour? Really? Any other time I'm averaging 11-13 mph in the off season. Christ! Just one more thing to work on.

Secretly I was hoping for a little better effort. I had gone to the gym yesterday and was pleased with the weight routine. The gym's Leg Press machine is limited to a max of 450lbs (10-45lbs weights). I can leg press little more than double that amount. I did my usual 4set/25 reps and was really pleased. I had done a longer pyramid set a few days before and took 2 days to recover from that effort. So I was a little hopeful my times on the Mini Hammer would be better than expected. They weren't. However from past experience, I should see a boost in performance tomorrow as it will be 2 days after weights & 1 day after an 'easy' ride. We'll see. We'll see if I have time to get on a moving bike tomorrow, most likely it'll be a stationary bike, either the gym or the mag trainer.

2010

2010-02-06T10:31:00.003-05:00

Ok its been almost a year since I last posted. I plan to amend that. I had lost my 2009 mountain bike cross country racing season due to injury: severed tendons right foot/ankle area. Sucked. I am behind the 8-ball. Overweight, out of shape and discouraged.

My bikes seems to have faired better. Why shouldn't they? They were untouched for virtually a year.

Sadly, the injury wasn't caused by a mountainbike ride. Of all things it was caused my simply walking up a family friend's front steps. Christ! Of all fucking things? Really?!

Anyway... I am looking forward to the 2010 season. Recent gym session are encouraging. Leg strength is...acceptable. We'll see. But what's a site without pictures? I'll post one, the injury that started the downward slide from racer, towards spectator.

No, it's not pretty..but that's where I'm coming from. Those white spots amid the red, near the top of the injury, them-be my tendons...and them-be severed. Anyway i plan on updating this site weekly ( I hope).

See you at the races.

Whoa...SRAM's XX

2009-05-27T11:34:00.002-04:00

http://www.velonews.com/article/92426/sram-launches-20-speed-mountain-bike-group

Click the link.

Ok the spoiler: its a 2x10 and the rear cassette weigh about 185-210g and the brakes weigh 288g about 2 grams lighter than the much touted Magura Marta SL Magnesiums...hmm.

I am a little discouraged by the BB30 system, not because it a bad or heavy system (it isn't) but rather I'd need a new frame to accommodate/upgrade to the BB30 system.

Sooo just shooting from the hip...I run a 3x8 (I know...just don't believe in the 9 speed...I do now but intial 9 speeds suffered chain snaps and I was snapping chains with a sturdier 8 speed sooo I just never got around to converting.....anyway,) so convert to a 2x10 that means: shifters,f&r deraillieurs,chain rings, cassette and chain...anything else?

Initally the sytem looks light BUT as always I never by 1st generation products...let someone else get all the glory AND headaches with working out the unanticipated problems of real world ownership. Hey if SRAM wants to give me a XX system sure I'll gladly convert to a 2x10 because if something goes wrong with the $2400 system I won't feel as bad. I need to see how it works before I drop the greenbacks.

At suggested retail of $2400 for the complete system...it doesn't seem so bad...granted I've only mulled over the news for about 15 minutes so this opinion could change. (The SID price from yesterday's rant has brewed for the last decade or two).

But its all folly for me at this point as my own recovery...continues. It may be a while before I am out on trail. Baby steps.

PRICE:
Suggested Retail Prices
Group price starting as low as $2430 (not including suspension)SRAM XX Rear Derailleur $265SRAM XX Front Derailleur $106-119SRAM XX Shifter Trigger Set w/Discrete Clamp $276SRAM XX Cassette 10 speed $328Truvativ XX Crank Set $430-470Truvativ BB BlackBox Ceramic Bearings $195-205SRAM Chain PC 1090R HollowPin 10-speed $84SRAM Chain PC 1090 HollowPin 10-speed $76Avid XX Brake per wheel $373-377Avid MatchMaker X Pair $45
XX Suspension ForksRockShox SID XX World Cup 32mm Dual Air 100 Motion Control XX Remote Carbon Crown/Steerer $1,120RockShox SID XX 32mm Dual Air 100 White Motion Control XX Remote $789RockShox Reba XX 29er Dual Air 100 White Motion Control XX Remote (left) 9mm QR $754RockShox Reba XX Dual Air 120 White Motion Control XX Remote (left) Maxle Lite $741RockShox Reba XX Dual Air 100 White Motion Control XX Remote (left) 9mm QR $724RockShox Revelation XX Dual Air 150 White Motion Control XX Remote (left) Maxle Lite $741RockShox Revelation XX Dual Air 140 White Motion Control XX Remote (left) 9mm QR $724

WEIGHTS:
Preproduction WeightsAll weights in grams, provided by SRAMShift Lever Set, 183Rear Derailleur, 181Front Derailleur Low Mount, 118Front Derailleur High Mount, 120Cassette 11-32, 185Cassette 11-36, 208Crankset 39/26 GXP, 730Crankset 42/28 GXP, 754Crankset 44/30 GXP, 779Crankset 39/26 BB30, 670Crankset 42/28 BB30, 694Crankset 44/30 BB30, 734Chain, 260Drivetrain Total, 1597Brakeset** 613Grand Total 2210**Weight for brakes is for a front and rear brake set, 160mm rotors, post-mount front, bracket-mount rear*PressFit 30 bottom bracket weighs 28 grams more than BB30

SID Update

2009-05-26T14:00:00.002-04:00

http://www.velonews.com/article/92373/sid-gets-a-new-crown

Interesting News from Rock Shok...although the Manitou MRD R7 is lighter and cost a quarter of the suggested retail of the SID. It used to really piss-me off...just who the fuck do these cycling assholes think they are charging that kind of money for a fucking BICYCLE fork?
Seriously...lets just look at a couple of examples...Park Tool shop stool with wheels & the Par logo on it suggested retail over $75 bucks...Pep Boys equivalent ?NASCAR branded under $30.00...hmmm. CO2 replacement by i.e. Innovations close to $9-12 per pack of 4...Crossman CO2 from Walmart $12.99 for a 24-pack, Brand X MTB or Road Premium Tire (total 'rubber' weight sub 2-pounds/considered a heavy tires) over $50-75 versus a premium AUTO Tire (total rubber weight over 50 pounds) $90. WTF?
Funny this was suppose to be a 'buzz' of the lighter weight SID fork but...I guess it still bothers me that a simple & beautiful sport is soo expensive. Oh sure I could afford the new SID but really...this is a part that cost more than its worth..at least SIDs have a decent reputation unlike some other stupi crazy/no name bike parts out there now.
the cycling industry charges too much money to sustain iteself they must be magicians or alchameists. How else are they able to squeeze blood from a rock?

Steve Larsen

2009-05-25T15:17:00.002-04:00

My God he's dead, former National NORBA Champion Steve Larsen at age 39. I'm 39! Holy cow! I was shocked when I read the news, the former Olympian hopeful died during a training run for a triathalon a few days ago.

Initial reports stated heart attack as the cause however VeloNews was reporting a respitory problem as the cause of death.

It made me think of my own mortality for a few moments and saddened me that there's one less rider on trail. I thought he had been screwed at the 2000 Olympics selection via USA Cycling.

USA Cycling has shown a consistency of fucking up the Olympic selection process time after time...the most recent had been illustrated in the documentary "Off Road to Athens." I kind of liked Tomac's idea: Select a National Coach who has total descretion as to who makes the mountainbike team. In my opinion: ideally I think it'd be great if each country could send 6 racers to the MTB Olympics: 3 Men & 3 Women w/alternates: 2 racers & 1 alternate for each gender.

I saw Larsen race the year of the Olympics at Mt Snow...you could see the anger in his racing for being overlooked for the Olympic Team. Anger pays, he won National Champion that year.

Its just unbelievable. Rest in Peace.

Vicarious

2009-05-19T09:52:00.006-04:00

Podium Envy: n. watching others win while injured.

Our mountainbike racers had a great weekend of race on ROOT 66 WINSTED WOODS on Sunday. Syl winning CAT 2 Mens 40-49, Jeff taking 2nd CAT 2 Mens 30-39 and Curtis capturing 3rd CAT 1 30-39. Obvioulsy I wished I raced with them, although I don't think my results would've been as impressive as theirs. I'd like to think of it as being a top 10 contender.

With my injury and its slow recovery its painful to watch your freinds go off and race. Race events that you have raced yourself for the past 13 or more years. Mount Snow will probable be the toughest one to endure...haven't missed that one in 14 years. This year will be a 1st. I will most likely go there as a...(gasp)...a spectator.

I'll need to do what I need to do to get proper recover for this injury and get back racing. Racing is all that matters (aside from the obvious: Family Friends). I'll deal with a permament limp if I have to, I'll deal with the loss of speed while walking...just as long as I can get on a bike and race. I don't care how I finish (for the time being) I just want to race.

So for now...I'll have to take comfort with my Team's sucesses and triumphs and look forward to the '10 Season...year of the Mountain Phoenix.

Recovery

2009-04-27T20:59:00.002-04:00

I was telling my friend the other day...I wake up angry. Bitter. Frustrated. I stay angry all day. I see the sun, feel the heat and watch an uninjured self knock off mile after mile, slice & rip through tight single track under the bare branch spring canopy. 2 out 3 isn't good enough.
Physical therapy went well, hopeful. Today at least it felt like I was on the actual road of recovery instead sitting on the sideline just waiting for something to happen. This is a test of endurance and will power. I am unable to move functionally, meaning I can not move AND carry something from one place to another. I can move items. More importantly I can not pedal a bike as the up pedal stroke is strictly forbidden and not lickley to happen for another 4-8 months. I still can't believe it BUT I am at the start of the road.
I fear I may have permanent injury as a result. I know eventually I will get on the bike again & "ride' again. Ride like a freakin fat ass couch potato out for the first time on a bike. C'mon! I am used to rockin' out 25-50 miles a clip. Flying in and out of single track, jumpin logs, riding through technical rock gardens. C'mon this can't be happening...the 2009 season is gone. FUCK.

First Warm Day

2009-04-25T12:56:00.003-04:00

Its Saturday afternoon, the warmest day of the Spring 09 season and I am inside, injured, recovering,watching television, cruising the net for cycling news, planning, reading listening, passive.
My team returns from the Tour of Battenkill with mixed reviews and the mountain bike team gears up for Farmington Classic with ideal conditions expected for the race.
From what the PT & the Physician tells me it will be anywhere from 4-8 months before I can even think of sport specific training. Sure I'll be able to get on a bike in a 2-3 months BUT, get on the bike means: Flat, Low intensity-virtually none, short distances. What? It makes sense logically, considering the my injury has less than 50 documented cases in the U.S.
Physical Therapy was an eye opener. I could barely move my toes and foot in any direction. I can squeeze my toes, make incremental foot movement, barely & with great difficulty. Its little unsettling, willing a part of your body to move only to see move less than twitch of what you intended.
"This sucks." Mantra break.
This Sunday will be the first time in 13years that I will not race Farmington Classic. I've been racing Farmington since we lived in Boston in the late 90's. Too bad.
Judging from all the posting on The Tour Of Battenkill it sounded like the promoters missed a few steps from timing to course markings. Luckily I didn't race that one. I'd be pretty pissed if I paid hard earned money for a sub-par product.
Oh..what else is there to do? Start plans for next year...lol.

Really?

2009-04-20T22:24:00.003-04:00

And it hits me...I am slowly realizing just how long I will be 'off' the bike, the entire season. Fuck. Its really unsettling, almost disheartening. This weekend I watched the sun rise, the temperature increase and my mountain bike hang in the garage.
The pain in my leg continues. I am disbelief that an injury could continue to hurt well over 2 weeks from date of injury. I've learned not to alter my med times & dosages. I thought I was feeling better so I eased off & decreased my dosage. That was a mistake. I've learned pain is always there and it doesn't like being ignored. I paid attention to it all night long. To describe it? Well its not as intense or sharp as broken ribs, its painful enough where even with the meds I am aware of its presence, always. Its like a severe charlie-horse, like a cramp, intense but dulled (mainly due to the meds).
Part of me refuses to believe my race season is 'over' I have an appointment on Wednesday and hope something can be salvaged of the season. I mean I just forked over a bunch of money for my race kit.
I've got to stop, the pain is interfering with my train of thought. More tomorrow...I hope.

Tyler Hamilton Retires

2009-04-17T16:46:00.002-04:00

That's just too bad. I'll admit it. I'm a Tyler Hamilton fan, he's a fellow New Englander. Why wouldn't I be? The poor guy just couldn't catch a break. I don't want to get into the past details of his doping conviction and wins. Somewhere I was hoping just maybe, just maybe he'd have another shot at the Tour de France. I know a long shot but I'd choose him as a fan favorite.
His 2003 solo TdF stage win was nothing short of inspiring. As cyclist you know pain, you know grit, determination, determination-not to quite, to keep going and maybe if everything works out: win.
I've never won a race but watching Hamilton's TdF stage win gave me hope. Hope that I too could win. The following years of Hamilton's career had ups and downs. I was always hoping there'd be a TdF general win for him.
If you look at professional sports the temptation to dope is there. Why doesn't NFL or MLB or NBA have as restrictive anti-doping enforcement? Probably because there is a near infinite amount of money & fame to be made when compared to cycling. As wealthy as Lance Armstrong may be, he still earns less than a major league football or baseball star of the same level of fame & skill. Hamilton did his time & that should've been it, he should've been allowed to race without further incident but Puerto shadowed him unfairly. (side note: what the hell was Congress doing getting involved in major league baseball doping? The same Congress that passes laws, determine military budgets, taxes? Did I really want an elected official investigating baseball doping? No. It seemed like a waste of time.)
For me, Hamilton was the personification of human determination with all its greatness & flaws. The will to keep going, to grin & bear it is probably what I'll remember most from his racing.

State Of The Racer

2009-04-16T11:38:00.002-04:00

Ok...I'm injured. I've finally come to terms with it. I had severed 2 major tendons in my right leg, gashed at the sock line (cycling sock). I had walked up the front steps of friends house and my feet slipped out from under me.
I had just returned from a 25 mile road ride, the Hammer Loop ( Route 3 to 165 to 138) and decided to drop off a DVD I had burned for a family friend. I was still in my cycling kit, although I changed into sandal when I drove over. It was suppose to be a qucik drop & go. Not so much.
As I went up the stairs I felt my feet slip out. I saw the front door, the grey sky, and then the wet soft spring grass as it had been showering that day. Immediately I knew I had fallen. OK. Get up. Get up. Wow this is weird, I couldn't, I couldn't get up on my own. My right leg felt unresponsive almost numb.
I thought it strange and disturbing. I must've really bruised it I thought. I looked down. No blood just throbbing, instense unending throbbing. No blood? No cut? Then I looked closer at my now dirty white Verge cycling sock. Just below the sock line I saw it. It looked bad. I almost felt sick. I knew it was deep but was a little confused by the small amount of blood.
I called out to my friend to help me home and from there I got to the emergency room. I had missed the artery by 2mm. It was close and it was bad. The wound was cleaned and stitched and I was scheduled for surgey on 1 April. Great, April Fools day that was confidence inspiring.
Fortunately I was in the care of a very reputable surgeon, Dr Gross of Westerly. After the surgery he told me it was a complicated surgery as he had to make additional incision above & below the injury just so he could find what remained of my tendons and reattche them. I probably about 60 stitches overall.
Thus begins the recovery. I can tell you this: IT SUCKS. Inability to move freely. Inability to RIDE. Inability to RACE. Oh I know I'll recover...eventually. Its the evetually part that concerns me. The '09 season seems to be a loss but we'll see.
I hope to at least be able to race Mt Snow this year but...I don't know.
I've already missed King Of Burlingame and The Root 66-Bunny Hopbrook. I've been doped up on pain meds where the emotional impact truly hasn't hit me about missing the races and riding/training in general.
I know I have many, many things to be thankful and gratefull for and the big picture everything will be ok but cycling, cycling is most impacted which in no way diminishes the importance of the other things in my life I am thankful for. I don't mention those things here because...ummm I'm really a private person on public site. (really makes you wonder about people that disclose personal intimate things in public...whatever).
Sooo for the time being, I'll be a spectator or race support for our race team: Refunds Now/Casters Bicycle (http://www.iwantarefund.com/ , http://bikeri.com/). Let the healing continue.

Off My Chest--Cycling Magazines

2009-04-16T11:20:00.004-04:00

Ok just for starters...I've been following Mountain Bike Action & now Road Bike Actions for a number of years. Several months the editor of Mountain Bike Action wrote a piece how he was 1st offered the position of editor for Road Bike Action. What a jack ass.
Generally speaking his editorials are for the most part...pointless, neither insightful nor entertaining. Although the latest issue of MBA had some useful information about having a heart attack while trail riding, I felt it missed the mark. I believe the same editorial could have been written better and related more to the reader. The main 'problem' I have with his editorial pages are his photos, a majority of themhave nothing cycling related within the shot. It is if he's taking lessong from Glamour Shots for seld promotion or rather taking photo lessons from the female lead in the movie "Napoleon Dynamite."
Please "Mac Attack" take a writing class from your local community college.

Testing the site

2009-04-16T10:37:00.002-04:00

Ok lets see what it looks like