I missed the first Thursday ride of the season last night. Well, I wouldn't say I missed it, I just wasn't in attendance. I'm sure fun was had by all...I just had other things to do.
The H.O. was out of town with her assistant, so I was on Bambino duty. The two of us drove out to have dinner with his two crazy grandmothers. Yes, I said two. My grandma is still alive and kicking at 89. She's a cantankerous old woman anymore. Between her and Il Bambino, it's like having two kids...
I just picked up a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork, brand new, uncut, in the box, for $125. Not bad for a fork that retails @ $350. It's all in an effort to stiffen up the front end of the Ibis. The frame itself rides like a champ. The fork, well, not so much. For general riding and noodling about, it's fine, but for racing, it's a wee-bit too mushy for my liking. The Reynolds should tighten things up a bit. I also bought a 45mm rake, which, in theory, should quicken the handling ever so slightly. It's only a 2mm difference, so I'll reserve judgement. Of course, 2mm in some carbon fiber applications is the difference between success and catastrophic failure.
It's been sunny and 75 here all week and it's pissing rain today. The weather is supposed to clear out and be sunny tomorrow, but about 20 degrees colder. Oh well, better 55 and sunny than 55 and rainy...
Peace...
16 March 2007
14 March 2007
The first crit
Well, the first installment of the Tuesday Night World Championship Crit Series went off without a hitch last night. I was a generally safe affair with a lot of give and take by all who attended. The only iffy behavior was exhibited by 'you-know-who'...
On at least two occasions that I saw, ThePeanut swung wildly right into the middle of the group after making his feeble efforts to ride to the front. It's okay though, he got shuffled out the back after about 30 minutes. It took longer than expected to be honest...
The first lap was a virtual noodle-fest, but the poopy hit the fan on lap 2. The pace picked up and stayed above 40 kmh, with more than a few 50+ surges, until about halfway. At 20-ish minutes in, Der Kaiser attacked and we all watched. All except AZPhil. He went across the gap and the two were never heard from again. We could see them about 300 meters in the distance, but there was no bringing it back. A few little groups got off the main peloton, but were quickly reeled in. I want to see AZPhil's SRM data.
The last lap saw an early attack from LittleJoe, but it was quickly pulled back. I was sitting third wheel at 1500 and did not want to be there. I sat up a bit and let the line go and got back in about 12th. I felt good for the sprint. I hit my pedal in the last turn, which is something I've never done before. I think the BB on the new bike is lower than the Ridley, but I digress...
I was still sitting 10 or 12 back when the pace ramped up and I tried to throw a spanner in the works by going from 350. It was a solid plan, except for the lack of communication between my brain and the rest of my body. The heart and lungs gave out at about 150 to go and I coasted across the line solidly in the middle. It's funny to watch the non-sprinters dice for it though. D-Rok showed them a clean set of wheel to mop up the field sprint.
Overall, it was a good ride and really fun, if this sort of thing can be considered fun. I rode well and only felt bad once during the 47 minute affair. Good times people, good times...
On at least two occasions that I saw, ThePeanut swung wildly right into the middle of the group after making his feeble efforts to ride to the front. It's okay though, he got shuffled out the back after about 30 minutes. It took longer than expected to be honest...
The first lap was a virtual noodle-fest, but the poopy hit the fan on lap 2. The pace picked up and stayed above 40 kmh, with more than a few 50+ surges, until about halfway. At 20-ish minutes in, Der Kaiser attacked and we all watched. All except AZPhil. He went across the gap and the two were never heard from again. We could see them about 300 meters in the distance, but there was no bringing it back. A few little groups got off the main peloton, but were quickly reeled in. I want to see AZPhil's SRM data.
The last lap saw an early attack from LittleJoe, but it was quickly pulled back. I was sitting third wheel at 1500 and did not want to be there. I sat up a bit and let the line go and got back in about 12th. I felt good for the sprint. I hit my pedal in the last turn, which is something I've never done before. I think the BB on the new bike is lower than the Ridley, but I digress...
I was still sitting 10 or 12 back when the pace ramped up and I tried to throw a spanner in the works by going from 350. It was a solid plan, except for the lack of communication between my brain and the rest of my body. The heart and lungs gave out at about 150 to go and I coasted across the line solidly in the middle. It's funny to watch the non-sprinters dice for it though. D-Rok showed them a clean set of wheel to mop up the field sprint.
Overall, it was a good ride and really fun, if this sort of thing can be considered fun. I rode well and only felt bad once during the 47 minute affair. Good times people, good times...
11 March 2007
Weekend
Well, the weatherman screwed the pooch this weekend. It was supposed to be overcast and in the 50s with a chance of rain. Two days of sun with Saturday in the high 60s and Sunday in the 70s proved otherwise. SC may be filled with hillbillies and be 49th in education, but the weather is way nicer than anywhere up North...
Saturday's ride was a 4 man affair as Greenville is still going on. We just noodled around in LR for 3-1/2 hours. I ended up with 95 km though, so I won't complain too loudly. We did get stopped by a train...that stopped...for 20 minutes. We finally turned and went home a different way. Good ride all the way around...
Sunday was another story. It was a great ride with fabulous company...minus one. That's right folks, TheDink was out today. His new nickname will now be ThePeanut, but we'll get to that in a moment. It was the same old song and dance coming from ThePeanut today. When he wasn't pointing out holes and swerving around them like am epilectic, he was doing his now patented move where he rides on the front when the ride is going 20. Today was a different animal though. With the time change, it's time to get some good efforts in. The WCTNCS starts Tuesday, so it's time to go fast. More than a few times today, we just picked up the pace and went hard. TVH and Il Professore kept attacking and covering each other too...! They were short bursts, but they were hard nonetheless. This is where ThePeanut got his new nickname. He'd stay in for exactly one rotation of the paceline, then get summarily shelled. This happen right at a half dozen times on the ride this morning. Hence, the new nickname. He's not worthy of a name that includes a harder shelled nut, like a pecan or walnut. Peanuts crack on the first try...
When we'd slow down to re-group, the frak-wit would just ride past at 20 and ride off the front, turning around to see if we were 'chasing' him.
Saturday's ride was a 4 man affair as Greenville is still going on. We just noodled around in LR for 3-1/2 hours. I ended up with 95 km though, so I won't complain too loudly. We did get stopped by a train...that stopped...for 20 minutes. We finally turned and went home a different way. Good ride all the way around...
Sunday was another story. It was a great ride with fabulous company...minus one. That's right folks, TheDink was out today. His new nickname will now be ThePeanut, but we'll get to that in a moment. It was the same old song and dance coming from ThePeanut today. When he wasn't pointing out holes and swerving around them like am epilectic, he was doing his now patented move where he rides on the front when the ride is going 20. Today was a different animal though. With the time change, it's time to get some good efforts in. The WCTNCS starts Tuesday, so it's time to go fast. More than a few times today, we just picked up the pace and went hard. TVH and Il Professore kept attacking and covering each other too...! They were short bursts, but they were hard nonetheless. This is where ThePeanut got his new nickname. He'd stay in for exactly one rotation of the paceline, then get summarily shelled. This happen right at a half dozen times on the ride this morning. Hence, the new nickname. He's not worthy of a name that includes a harder shelled nut, like a pecan or walnut. Peanuts crack on the first try...
When we'd slow down to re-group, the frak-wit would just ride past at 20 and ride off the front, turning around to see if we were 'chasing' him.
I'm excited I finally get to use my new graphic. Yippee...! Today's bullshit is a multi-part affair. The first line of shit was on the first climb of the day. RC decided to ramp it up and ThePeanut tried to follow. He didn't make it 200 meters on RC's wheel before getting spit. When we caught him, he said he sat up because he didn't feel like going hard on the climb. Il Professore quickly called BS. Later in the ride, Il Professore asked if The Peanut knew an old skool local racer. If ThePeanut had ridden and raced in Cola 20 years ago, like he claims, he'd KNOW this guy. He comes part deux of the BS. He has now changed his story to include the fact that he raced in Atlanta, but rode with the crew here in town. Much of the crew is still around, and they don't know you man...stop BS'ing.
Part three concerns questions and behavior that call his "20 year racing career" into question. The moron fell over at a stoplight. He forgot to unclip and fell over. Then, at the end of the ride, he asked my brother what 'tempo' riding meant...! Are you serious? 20 years and you ask this question? His time on the bike is more like 20 months...
Some hard lessons are coming for ThePeanut...much sooner than he may be anticipating...
08 March 2007
Mid-week check
So, I've been to the chiro three times now. People scoff, but my back feels better. I have virtually no skeletal pain and the muscle pain is better. I'm sure it will subside when and if I ever take a break and get off the bike for more than two days. That break is likely to come sometime at the end of April when Bambino number two is set to arrive.
We were supposed to ride last night, but my brother caught a stomach bug and spent Tuesday evening and most of Wednesday camping out in the bathroom. Poor bastard. I decided to go ride by myself. The H.O. came home a bit early, so I got out without the lights. It was a nice, easy-ish spin around The Fort. No real effort, just a want to get out and get some fresh air. It's nice to ride in shorts and a jersey. The wind rushing over bare arms and legs feels strangely odd. You look down and are absolutely shocked to see such pasty white legs though. The only thing whiter was my new white Diadoras, and there was only a few shades difference.
The weather is supposed to be in the 50s, but cloudy, this weekend. I'm sure the combination of the temps and daylight savings time will thin the herd. People just can't seem to change their clocks.
The H.O., Il Bambino and I are going to MB tonight and tomorrow. The H.O. has a conference down there, again. The only plus is the fact that the outlet stores are close to the hotel. It satisfies my gay gene's need to shop. The Adidas outlet is first on the list, then I'll be looking for some new shorts. I seem to have left a Sharpie in the pocket of my cargo shorts. It made it through the wash cycle, but the cap came off in the dryer. 75% of my clothes are ruined, including my favorite khaki shorts...! It also made the interior of the dryer look like Jackson Pollack got trapped inside. You may now call me Dumbass....
We were supposed to ride last night, but my brother caught a stomach bug and spent Tuesday evening and most of Wednesday camping out in the bathroom. Poor bastard. I decided to go ride by myself. The H.O. came home a bit early, so I got out without the lights. It was a nice, easy-ish spin around The Fort. No real effort, just a want to get out and get some fresh air. It's nice to ride in shorts and a jersey. The wind rushing over bare arms and legs feels strangely odd. You look down and are absolutely shocked to see such pasty white legs though. The only thing whiter was my new white Diadoras, and there was only a few shades difference.
The weather is supposed to be in the 50s, but cloudy, this weekend. I'm sure the combination of the temps and daylight savings time will thin the herd. People just can't seem to change their clocks.
The H.O., Il Bambino and I are going to MB tonight and tomorrow. The H.O. has a conference down there, again. The only plus is the fact that the outlet stores are close to the hotel. It satisfies my gay gene's need to shop. The Adidas outlet is first on the list, then I'll be looking for some new shorts. I seem to have left a Sharpie in the pocket of my cargo shorts. It made it through the wash cycle, but the cap came off in the dryer. 75% of my clothes are ruined, including my favorite khaki shorts...! It also made the interior of the dryer look like Jackson Pollack got trapped inside. You may now call me Dumbass....
04 March 2007
Another day...
...another 80k. Three more hours, very windy hours, in the saddle today. Base fitness is obviously there, along with tempo fitness. The true, heart in the throat fitness hasn't shown itself quite yet. My brother and I chased a 400 meter gap today at 55+ kmh and it really hurt. I could feel yesterday's ride in my legs and the old HR wasn't happy about being spiked at 180. Of course, it was quite a bit colder today (50-ish) and the big diesel has trouble getting to temp below about 60. Unless it's raining and 50...then, I'll leave you in the country even if it buries me for the rest of the day.
It was a good ride all in all. We started with 5 and ended with 4. The Greenville Training Series is in full swing, so the majority of the group was gone. We lost The Velvet Hammer about an hour in. It seems he tweaked his back and is a bit crippled up. I feel his pain...literally and figuratively.
It was really windy today, so speed hovered around 30-32 kmh. I didn't feel like going much faster anyway.
I had a close call with the ground at the end of the ride too. I stood to pedal, as one does occasionally, and my chain slipped. I came close to eating shit no more than 10 minutes from home. If you want to know how close, my left nipple hit my left shifter. It was either my enormous, Schwartzenegger-like, upper body strength or the hands of the Cycling Gods that kept me upright. I'd like to think it was the former, but it was more like the latter...thank you Il Pirata.
I installed new motion lights on the front of the house this afternoon. When they click on, it looks like a prison yard. It's just another tool of oppression by the man...
It was a good ride all in all. We started with 5 and ended with 4. The Greenville Training Series is in full swing, so the majority of the group was gone. We lost The Velvet Hammer about an hour in. It seems he tweaked his back and is a bit crippled up. I feel his pain...literally and figuratively.
It was really windy today, so speed hovered around 30-32 kmh. I didn't feel like going much faster anyway.
I had a close call with the ground at the end of the ride too. I stood to pedal, as one does occasionally, and my chain slipped. I came close to eating shit no more than 10 minutes from home. If you want to know how close, my left nipple hit my left shifter. It was either my enormous, Schwartzenegger-like, upper body strength or the hands of the Cycling Gods that kept me upright. I'd like to think it was the former, but it was more like the latter...thank you Il Pirata.
I installed new motion lights on the front of the house this afternoon. When they click on, it looks like a prison yard. It's just another tool of oppression by the man...
03 March 2007
Saturday
Another Saturday ride has come and gone, and thankfully, I made it through the entire thing with the rubber side down. Although this may not seem like a grand fait accompli, believe me when I tell you that there was more than one threat to my flesh staying place.
TheDink took every opportunity to risk life and limb (not his own) today. I just cannot understand how someone can ride regularly and not get any better at it. When you come to a bump or hole, point it out, move slightly off your line and miss the hole. At least twice (that I witnessed) today, TheDink hit the hole in question WHILE swerving into the middle of the group. I honestly believe that the act of keeping a bicycle upright and safe is just beyond the grasp of some people.
The BS of the day was when TheDink said he was going to go race in Greenville. He got dropped twice today...and we never went any faster than 40 kmh and averaged just above 30 kmh.
Yeah bud, good luck with that...
I rode the Ridley today with the Cane Creek carbon wheels. If you're gonna pose, pose hard...
The new bike and the Ridley ride completely differently, even though they are both carbon. I kind of concentrated on the differences today so I could quantify them. The Ridley is definitely stiffer than the Ibis, but the ride quality is what suffers. It's stiffer vertically, which transmits road vibration into your contact points. Not that it's a bad thing in this instance, but it's just different. The Ridley still rides better than any Specialized or Trek, period. I can't believe people actually like the way a Trek carbon rides. I guess some folks have no frame of reference...
The drywall is done, save for one small section around the door frame. All of the mud has been slapped on the wall and all but one seam has been taped. It's starting to look like a room now...
We'll see who shows in the morning...
TheDink took every opportunity to risk life and limb (not his own) today. I just cannot understand how someone can ride regularly and not get any better at it. When you come to a bump or hole, point it out, move slightly off your line and miss the hole. At least twice (that I witnessed) today, TheDink hit the hole in question WHILE swerving into the middle of the group. I honestly believe that the act of keeping a bicycle upright and safe is just beyond the grasp of some people.
The BS of the day was when TheDink said he was going to go race in Greenville. He got dropped twice today...and we never went any faster than 40 kmh and averaged just above 30 kmh.
Yeah bud, good luck with that...
I rode the Ridley today with the Cane Creek carbon wheels. If you're gonna pose, pose hard...
The new bike and the Ridley ride completely differently, even though they are both carbon. I kind of concentrated on the differences today so I could quantify them. The Ridley is definitely stiffer than the Ibis, but the ride quality is what suffers. It's stiffer vertically, which transmits road vibration into your contact points. Not that it's a bad thing in this instance, but it's just different. The Ridley still rides better than any Specialized or Trek, period. I can't believe people actually like the way a Trek carbon rides. I guess some folks have no frame of reference...
The drywall is done, save for one small section around the door frame. All of the mud has been slapped on the wall and all but one seam has been taped. It's starting to look like a room now...
We'll see who shows in the morning...
27 February 2007
Not all smoke and mirrors...
I always believed that Chiropractors were nothing more than filler...the Oreo creme of the medical world. Then I hurt my back. I've been fighting a bad back for about 8 months. Constant pain, sleepless nights, the inability to stand like I have completed the evolutionary cycle...you get the picture.
I finally broke down and made an appointment with the chiro. So yesterday at 1pm, I went to see a guy that used to ride and hang out with us, who happens to come highly recommended by some other riders in town.
We spoke for a while about what my issues were and some possible fixes to work on outside of the office. Then, the cracking started. Dr. Coop put me on the rack, did some measurements, felt my spine and starting the process of re-aligning my frame. I've never felt more like a damaged automobile in my life.
My hips and back were/are so out of alignment that my right leg was 1" shorter than my left, my hips were skewed by at least 5 degrees and my spine was not in a straight line.
The first crack was to the left side of my neck. As you read this, try to touch your right ear to your right shoulder...without moving your shoulder. It cannot be done if you have any muscles in your neck at all. Well, my ear landed firmly on my shoulder yesterday and my neck gave a resounding CRACK.
Then he moved to cracking my back, which felt like crashing at 25+ mph. Oh, he did both sides, so I crashed twice in 60 seconds...
Then came the hips and pelvis, which felt strangely good. It was like pressure was being relieved.
Following the bone cracking, I was put on a table that could be (or maybe even has been) used in low-budget porn movies. I laid face down and the bottom half of the table moved side to side, stretching my back.
I was instructed to stretch more, do more ab work and come back Wednesday for another tune-up. Before you say, "Oh sure, he wants you to come back so you can drop more cash...!", Take this to heart. I still have residual pain and sensation, but fighting this for 8 months didn't exctly help the problem. The VAST majority of my skeletal pain and sciatic nerve pain has subsided. I have no problem standing from a seated position nor did I wake up last night with shooting/burning pains in my low back on legs.
My advice is to find a sports oriented chiro and go see him. Everyone might not have pain, but everyone has alignment issues.
I'm going back Wednesday afternoon and likely a couple more times. Then I'm going to be on a maintenance plan. Every 6-8 weeks for a tune-up.
I finally broke down and made an appointment with the chiro. So yesterday at 1pm, I went to see a guy that used to ride and hang out with us, who happens to come highly recommended by some other riders in town.
We spoke for a while about what my issues were and some possible fixes to work on outside of the office. Then, the cracking started. Dr. Coop put me on the rack, did some measurements, felt my spine and starting the process of re-aligning my frame. I've never felt more like a damaged automobile in my life.
My hips and back were/are so out of alignment that my right leg was 1" shorter than my left, my hips were skewed by at least 5 degrees and my spine was not in a straight line.
The first crack was to the left side of my neck. As you read this, try to touch your right ear to your right shoulder...without moving your shoulder. It cannot be done if you have any muscles in your neck at all. Well, my ear landed firmly on my shoulder yesterday and my neck gave a resounding CRACK.
Then he moved to cracking my back, which felt like crashing at 25+ mph. Oh, he did both sides, so I crashed twice in 60 seconds...
Then came the hips and pelvis, which felt strangely good. It was like pressure was being relieved.
Following the bone cracking, I was put on a table that could be (or maybe even has been) used in low-budget porn movies. I laid face down and the bottom half of the table moved side to side, stretching my back.
I was instructed to stretch more, do more ab work and come back Wednesday for another tune-up. Before you say, "Oh sure, he wants you to come back so you can drop more cash...!", Take this to heart. I still have residual pain and sensation, but fighting this for 8 months didn't exctly help the problem. The VAST majority of my skeletal pain and sciatic nerve pain has subsided. I have no problem standing from a seated position nor did I wake up last night with shooting/burning pains in my low back on legs.
My advice is to find a sports oriented chiro and go see him. Everyone might not have pain, but everyone has alignment issues.
I'm going back Wednesday afternoon and likely a couple more times. Then I'm going to be on a maintenance plan. Every 6-8 weeks for a tune-up.
24 February 2007
Ride report
Here's what a 105km jaunt on the new RS was like earlier today. Did I mention the group decided to ride fast tempo today? Nothing like a shakedown ride with a few 25+ mph effort thrown in for good measure.
The bike is very stiff laterally. I put FSA SL-K cranks on it and the combo of the beefy tubes, tubes joints, chainstays and cranks make for a nice, stiff, firm feeling when standing to climb or jumping to sprint. Probably as stiff (frame only) as my Damocles. The cranks aren't as stiff as the D/A 7800.
It's not a harsh ride whatsoever. It mutes road imperfections, chipseal and other small vibrations very well. It reminds me very much of the way my Ridley Excalibur rode. I really didn't feel anything other than really large hits, which suck on any bike.
The front end is very stiff and very solid. The front end tracks extremely well and isn't twitchy at all. I actually like the way the front end feels on the RS better than my Damocles. The Damocles can get chattery. There's no chatter coming from this fork. The frame and fork are matched very well, which is a hard nut to crack. It's not bad when the front is stiffer than the rear, but it's murder when the rear is stiffer than the front.
Overall, I got a stinky, fat deal on very nice, well built, sublime handling frameset. Out of 5 stars, right now it's got an easy 4.75, and it's only that low because of the Russian judge. It'll make a hell of a race bike.
Now onto the ride itself...
We went out through the flats today and just kept turning away from home. I ended up with 105km when all was said and done. We rode through the Swamp all the way to the Cricket Store, which is so named because they used to sell...get ready for it...crickets. We had a terrible headwind on the way out, which is something of an anomoly. As soon as we turned though, it was a cross/tail to full tailwind all the way home. Robert made the comment that we were coasting at 22 mph. I countered with, "yeah, it's brilliant!"
The sun was out, the wind was at our backs, the group was a good one today, save for one...The Dink. We all began to take him with a grain of salt. That grain is more akin to a salt lick, but I digress.
Overall, it was great ride that included a few bursts of speed...some longer and speedier than others. I didn't go into the Pain Cave(tm) today, but I've become familiar with it's general location. New bike, 65 miles and a sunny day...not a bad Saturday.
The bike is very stiff laterally. I put FSA SL-K cranks on it and the combo of the beefy tubes, tubes joints, chainstays and cranks make for a nice, stiff, firm feeling when standing to climb or jumping to sprint. Probably as stiff (frame only) as my Damocles. The cranks aren't as stiff as the D/A 7800.
It's not a harsh ride whatsoever. It mutes road imperfections, chipseal and other small vibrations very well. It reminds me very much of the way my Ridley Excalibur rode. I really didn't feel anything other than really large hits, which suck on any bike.
The front end is very stiff and very solid. The front end tracks extremely well and isn't twitchy at all. I actually like the way the front end feels on the RS better than my Damocles. The Damocles can get chattery. There's no chatter coming from this fork. The frame and fork are matched very well, which is a hard nut to crack. It's not bad when the front is stiffer than the rear, but it's murder when the rear is stiffer than the front.
Overall, I got a stinky, fat deal on very nice, well built, sublime handling frameset. Out of 5 stars, right now it's got an easy 4.75, and it's only that low because of the Russian judge. It'll make a hell of a race bike.
Now onto the ride itself...
We went out through the flats today and just kept turning away from home. I ended up with 105km when all was said and done. We rode through the Swamp all the way to the Cricket Store, which is so named because they used to sell...get ready for it...crickets. We had a terrible headwind on the way out, which is something of an anomoly. As soon as we turned though, it was a cross/tail to full tailwind all the way home. Robert made the comment that we were coasting at 22 mph. I countered with, "yeah, it's brilliant!"
The sun was out, the wind was at our backs, the group was a good one today, save for one...The Dink. We all began to take him with a grain of salt. That grain is more akin to a salt lick, but I digress.
Overall, it was great ride that included a few bursts of speed...some longer and speedier than others. I didn't go into the Pain Cave(tm) today, but I've become familiar with it's general location. New bike, 65 miles and a sunny day...not a bad Saturday.
23 February 2007
Empty
We did the old cyclocross loop last night. Note to self, eat something prior to a 2 hour+ ride. I didn't have a little snacky in the afternoon and paid for it, full retail, on the way back in last night. I could tell I was hungry and flat as soon as we turned around. My brother flat rode away from me on the return trip. The ride home on the road was even less fun. Nothing like riding into a dead headwind, on the edge of a bonk, with empty legs. I got home, but ate everything in the house when I got here.
The new frame came yesterday. I have already hung the parts. I need to press on the crown race, cut the fork and run cables tonight. It should be ready for it's maiden voyage (Saturday) by about 8pm tonight. It's way nicer than expected and has some seriously beefy tubes. I'll post pics later.
I have to go back to the shop to do the crown race, buy a few chainstay protectors and pickup some Specialized BG insoles for the road shoes. We've traced my knee pain to poor foot alignment. I'm starting visits to the Chiro on Monday as well, in an attempt to sort out my back pain.
Time to get the day going. Gotta get my shizz done early, as the H.O., Il Bambino and I will be going to the zoo this afternoon.
A little porn for your weekend...when I hit the Superball, mine will be just like this...
21 February 2007
Tired...work is hard
I worked on the back room all day Monday...8-1/2 hours of manual labor to be exact. The entire subfloor has been replaced and I got one sheet of drywall affixed to the studs. I would have done the other two sheets, but I hadn't eaten all day and was getting a little punch-drunk. At one point, I was laying on the floor to remove an outlet cover...! It was also an outlet that I failed to remember until the H.O. asked how I was going to cut the hole for it. If not for her management skills, I'd have drywalled that beotch in.
I did my UrbanAssault/Hour of Power(tm) loop through downtown last night. I just wanted to get the legs going around. The legs felt fine after warming up, but the stomach was in a big, burly knot. I don't know why, but I know it didn't feel good. I rode slower than the normal, interval laden pace, but it was still nice to get out. I realized my blinky light needs batteries too. A bright blinky will, in fact, keep you alive.
I got Mandrus' bike finished and working properly. He's coming by tonight for a quick fitting and to pick it up...! Speaking of, my new carbon frameset is supposed to ship today or tomorrow. I'm getting itchy...
I did my UrbanAssault/Hour of Power(tm) loop through downtown last night. I just wanted to get the legs going around. The legs felt fine after warming up, but the stomach was in a big, burly knot. I don't know why, but I know it didn't feel good. I rode slower than the normal, interval laden pace, but it was still nice to get out. I realized my blinky light needs batteries too. A bright blinky will, in fact, keep you alive.
I got Mandrus' bike finished and working properly. He's coming by tonight for a quick fitting and to pick it up...! Speaking of, my new carbon frameset is supposed to ship today or tomorrow. I'm getting itchy...
18 February 2007
Zee Vind, she ist blowink...
Holy shit! Saturday's noon ride turned into a slugfest. It may have been a draw, but I came out bloodied and a bit beated. Going out, I knew it was going to be trouble on the return trip. I'm a decent climber when you take into account that I weigh a svelte 180 and race at @ 175, but when I'm tapping out a rhythm at close to 20 mph on a 2 km climb and my HR is 140, I'm getting a push from somewhere.
The route we took was shaped like a big triangle, so we had tailwind, crosswind and then dead, full blast, beat you about the upper torso, headwind for the last 45 minutes. I had a bit left in the tank, but it was definitely brutal. I feel bad for the guys who decided to do an extra 20km loop. They are all strongmen, make no mistake, but the wind did nothing but pick up as the day progressed. A 20mph headwind on a 45 degree, sunless day, makes for a ride that becomes less fun the longer it gets. I was glad to be home and have a Diet Coke and a turkey sammich.
The tempo was quick, even for the conditions, but it never hurt and I closed a gap that we let open after a climb with little difficulty. I could tell that the interval sessions had blown some of the carbon out of the pipes. I haven't ridden as much as last winter, but there's been more intensity. A few more step down sessions, some night, MUT sessions and a couple crit course visits and I'll be square.
The demo is done in the back room. Construction begins tomorrow. The new subfloor and the low sections of drywall will be getting installed. I finished the demo before yesterday's ride. I became quite weary of beating on and prying 50+ year old wood, so I broke out the big guns. Nothing says love like a Craftsman 8 amp reciprocating saw. The first half of the cabinet took about an hour to dismantle. The second half was on the pile after 15 minutes. Of course, in untrained hands, it could be a tool that quickly removes needed appendages. The wounds wouldn't be clean either...
Full TV day today. Daytona and the Tour of Cali prologue...
The route we took was shaped like a big triangle, so we had tailwind, crosswind and then dead, full blast, beat you about the upper torso, headwind for the last 45 minutes. I had a bit left in the tank, but it was definitely brutal. I feel bad for the guys who decided to do an extra 20km loop. They are all strongmen, make no mistake, but the wind did nothing but pick up as the day progressed. A 20mph headwind on a 45 degree, sunless day, makes for a ride that becomes less fun the longer it gets. I was glad to be home and have a Diet Coke and a turkey sammich.
The tempo was quick, even for the conditions, but it never hurt and I closed a gap that we let open after a climb with little difficulty. I could tell that the interval sessions had blown some of the carbon out of the pipes. I haven't ridden as much as last winter, but there's been more intensity. A few more step down sessions, some night, MUT sessions and a couple crit course visits and I'll be square.
The demo is done in the back room. Construction begins tomorrow. The new subfloor and the low sections of drywall will be getting installed. I finished the demo before yesterday's ride. I became quite weary of beating on and prying 50+ year old wood, so I broke out the big guns. Nothing says love like a Craftsman 8 amp reciprocating saw. The first half of the cabinet took about an hour to dismantle. The second half was on the pile after 15 minutes. Of course, in untrained hands, it could be a tool that quickly removes needed appendages. The wounds wouldn't be clean either...
Full TV day today. Daytona and the Tour of Cali prologue...
16 February 2007
Baby it's cold outside
Well, for SC, it's cold. Granted, it ain't Chicago and a -15 degree windchill, but 25 degrees is cold for us thin-blooded Southerners. I'll ride in anything, but I've grown weary of riding in the cold by myself, so tomorrow I'm riding at noon with the group. Of course, it will be 20 degrees warmer by noon...
That gives me time to finish the demo that I've started in the back room. All of the 50+ year old molding has been pulled down and I've dismantled about 50% of the cabinets. The caveat is the fact that these cabinets aren't units like those that hang in your kitchen. These were built piece by piece, of oak, more than 50 years ago. I pulled some nails out of the thing than were as big as my middle finger. I don't even think they actually make nail that big anymore. I figure I'll finish pulling the cabinet apart in the morning and have time to go ride. All of the demo will be done and the back room will be clear and ready for construction by the time Il Bambino its the hay Saturday night. Sunday is my day of rest this week. Not because some Judeo-Christian ethic says so, but because Daytona is on TV Sunday afternoon. Call me a redneck if you want, but I loves me some NASCAR.
I did my stacking intervals last night and I actually felt better for it. The legs didn't feel bad and it felt good to get the HR up there. I'm a little stiff in my 36 year old joints, but that may be due to the fact that I run around in 38 degree weather in shorts.
The specter of the time change is looming large on my horizon right now, thus, I'll be on the bike more in the coming weeks. Rock Hill is in 8 weeks as well. This year, there will be no breaks going up the road without me this year...
That gives me time to finish the demo that I've started in the back room. All of the 50+ year old molding has been pulled down and I've dismantled about 50% of the cabinets. The caveat is the fact that these cabinets aren't units like those that hang in your kitchen. These were built piece by piece, of oak, more than 50 years ago. I pulled some nails out of the thing than were as big as my middle finger. I don't even think they actually make nail that big anymore. I figure I'll finish pulling the cabinet apart in the morning and have time to go ride. All of the demo will be done and the back room will be clear and ready for construction by the time Il Bambino its the hay Saturday night. Sunday is my day of rest this week. Not because some Judeo-Christian ethic says so, but because Daytona is on TV Sunday afternoon. Call me a redneck if you want, but I loves me some NASCAR.
I did my stacking intervals last night and I actually felt better for it. The legs didn't feel bad and it felt good to get the HR up there. I'm a little stiff in my 36 year old joints, but that may be due to the fact that I run around in 38 degree weather in shorts.
The specter of the time change is looming large on my horizon right now, thus, I'll be on the bike more in the coming weeks. Rock Hill is in 8 weeks as well. This year, there will be no breaks going up the road without me this year...
15 February 2007
4 weeks and counting
That's right folks, 4 weeks is all you have to get your "A" game (or as close as possible) ready. Time changes on March 11th, which means the Tuesday Night World Championship Criterium Series(tm) will kick of Tuesday March 13th @ 6:30pm.
The course has been repaired and I will be going out about a week prior to the first race to run the blower and clear the corners of sand, dirt and debris.
The Thursday Night Festival of Pain(tm) will also start that week. We will be meeting at Ft. Jackson for a 6pm (SHARP) departure. Reminders will be emailed to everyone the week before time change.
Thanks!
M
The course has been repaired and I will be going out about a week prior to the first race to run the blower and clear the corners of sand, dirt and debris.
The Thursday Night Festival of Pain(tm) will also start that week. We will be meeting at Ft. Jackson for a 6pm (SHARP) departure. Reminders will be emailed to everyone the week before time change.
Thanks!
M
13 February 2007
12 February 2007
New linkage
The fine feathered folks at Blogger (Google) have made it much easier to post new links to a blog. You no longer are foced to write code, thankfully, as I am barely literate.
I have added a couple to my list.
The first is Road Magazine. Probably the best roadie mag out there. It's dedicated to the American scene. It's big, glossy and well written.
Second is my old school, back in the day when he was a pup, buddy, Toby J. I've left out his last name to protect the innocent. Tobias is one of those solo 12/24 hour mountain racer dudes. He's a f**king hard man of the North. He does a lot for cycling around here, including the stellar New Year's Day ride around Lake Murray. I've known him since he was a mere boy and I can say I'm proud of the man he has become. Toby J = Good egg. That, and the fact he still rides his steel DeRosa...
There will likely be more to come...
I have added a couple to my list.
The first is Road Magazine. Probably the best roadie mag out there. It's dedicated to the American scene. It's big, glossy and well written.
Second is my old school, back in the day when he was a pup, buddy, Toby J. I've left out his last name to protect the innocent. Tobias is one of those solo 12/24 hour mountain racer dudes. He's a f**king hard man of the North. He does a lot for cycling around here, including the stellar New Year's Day ride around Lake Murray. I've known him since he was a mere boy and I can say I'm proud of the man he has become. Toby J = Good egg. That, and the fact he still rides his steel DeRosa...
There will likely be more to come...
I remember...
Now I remember why I hate intervals. I decided that I could get a better workout on the trainer yesterday, so I went down to the ManHole(tm). Plus, I could watch TV, not worry about getting run over by cars and really get into the pain cave. After a 10 minutes spin warmup, I went to the 52 and rode tempo for 15 minutes in the 17. Interval time...
15 minutes at LT in a 52x15 turning 90-100 rpm. The first ten minutes weren't bad, but the last 5 really hurt. The last two, I had my head down and could even hear Liggett or Sherwen on the tube. I didn't notice during the interval, but I had started to sweat, profusely. My light blue Squadra Azzuri sweatshirt was soaked through. I rode a cool down for 10 minutes and then did it again, but with a burnout section for the last two minutes. I rode at max HR (186-ish) in the 52/13 for two minutes at about 90 rpm. Definitely blew some of the carbon out of the pipes.
My chest cavity is a it sore this morning from the effort, but that's a good thing. The legs are wondering what the hell happened too.
It supposed to be 68 degrees today, so the lights are charging. Only the Shadow knows if I'll get out tonight...
Oh well, gotta jet. Il Bambino goes to the Doc this morning. I'm sure he'll be a barrel of laughs for the rest of the day.
15 minutes at LT in a 52x15 turning 90-100 rpm. The first ten minutes weren't bad, but the last 5 really hurt. The last two, I had my head down and could even hear Liggett or Sherwen on the tube. I didn't notice during the interval, but I had started to sweat, profusely. My light blue Squadra Azzuri sweatshirt was soaked through. I rode a cool down for 10 minutes and then did it again, but with a burnout section for the last two minutes. I rode at max HR (186-ish) in the 52/13 for two minutes at about 90 rpm. Definitely blew some of the carbon out of the pipes.
My chest cavity is a it sore this morning from the effort, but that's a good thing. The legs are wondering what the hell happened too.
It supposed to be 68 degrees today, so the lights are charging. Only the Shadow knows if I'll get out tonight...
Oh well, gotta jet. Il Bambino goes to the Doc this morning. I'm sure he'll be a barrel of laughs for the rest of the day.
11 February 2007
O/U = 5 Temp = 32 Actual = 3
Well, Saturday's ride was something of a pitiful display. Don't get me wrong, the THREE of us that actually showed had a great ride. One would think that the fact time changes in 4 weeks, or the spring series starts in two weeks, would have people coming out. However, one would be wrong.
Anyway, we did a variation of the old Tuesday night loop. The wind was out of the north, so we had a head/crosswind out and a tail/crosswind home. It was cold at the start (32), but the sun was high in the sky and it felt much warmer. We rolled around for 2:30 and ended up with about 75km. We ended the ride with a medium/high tempo effort that lasted about 15-20 minutes. It reminded the heart and legs what an effort was all about. Since I have zero leg speed right now, it hurt a bit. Hurt isn't a bad thing though. Like J. Cash said, "I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel...".
I didn't even bother to wake up for the group (hah-hah) ride this morning. Secure in the knowledge that no one would show as there was talk yesterday that the core of the group would be going out at 1pm. I simply cannot urinate my day away by going at 1. Well, it's not that I can't, it 's that I won't...
I'll be on my cross bike within the next 45 minutes, do my 90 minute interval loop, come home, eat, shower and finish my painting and be on the couch by 2pm...
There will be a winter, one of these years, that will be just cold, wet and miserable. Me thinks that the stretch of 60-70 degree days not long ago thinned a lot of blood and spoiled people.
You don't get hard by lazing about and rolling around in the sunshine. Just ask the Belgians...
Oh, I forgot something. I rode the new Crank Brothers Quattro SL pedals yesterday. They are pretty nice. They feel remarkably similar to Time ATAC mountain pedals. At first I was leery of standing up to climb or getting out of the saddle to sprint because they just feel so much looser than the Looks I've been riding for 15 years. After two hours, I felt pretty confident in them and did an out of the saddle effort. No issues at all. I never felt as if my foot was going to pop out of the pedal, nor did I feel my foot skating around. Overall, I'm pleased thus far...
The best part...no knee pain! I still have some residual twinges from when I hurt it a few weeks ago, but these pedals didn't seem to aggravate my knee. If you have knee issues, try these pedals. You can get 'em cheap on Ebay...
Anyway, we did a variation of the old Tuesday night loop. The wind was out of the north, so we had a head/crosswind out and a tail/crosswind home. It was cold at the start (32), but the sun was high in the sky and it felt much warmer. We rolled around for 2:30 and ended up with about 75km. We ended the ride with a medium/high tempo effort that lasted about 15-20 minutes. It reminded the heart and legs what an effort was all about. Since I have zero leg speed right now, it hurt a bit. Hurt isn't a bad thing though. Like J. Cash said, "I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel...".
I didn't even bother to wake up for the group (hah-hah) ride this morning. Secure in the knowledge that no one would show as there was talk yesterday that the core of the group would be going out at 1pm. I simply cannot urinate my day away by going at 1. Well, it's not that I can't, it 's that I won't...
I'll be on my cross bike within the next 45 minutes, do my 90 minute interval loop, come home, eat, shower and finish my painting and be on the couch by 2pm...
There will be a winter, one of these years, that will be just cold, wet and miserable. Me thinks that the stretch of 60-70 degree days not long ago thinned a lot of blood and spoiled people.
You don't get hard by lazing about and rolling around in the sunshine. Just ask the Belgians...
Oh, I forgot something. I rode the new Crank Brothers Quattro SL pedals yesterday. They are pretty nice. They feel remarkably similar to Time ATAC mountain pedals. At first I was leery of standing up to climb or getting out of the saddle to sprint because they just feel so much looser than the Looks I've been riding for 15 years. After two hours, I felt pretty confident in them and did an out of the saddle effort. No issues at all. I never felt as if my foot was going to pop out of the pedal, nor did I feel my foot skating around. Overall, I'm pleased thus far...
The best part...no knee pain! I still have some residual twinges from when I hurt it a few weeks ago, but these pedals didn't seem to aggravate my knee. If you have knee issues, try these pedals. You can get 'em cheap on Ebay...
08 February 2007
Skinny = good...not always!
It was another Wednesday night ride, for the first 1km. I stood up to take off from a stop sign about 1km from the house and PRANNG!, I broke a front spoke. My normal wheel on the front is a FSA RD400 with a 40c tire on it. The 40 is just about perfect for riding singletrack on a cross bike. It grips, doesn't slide around and floats over roots and sand.
I didn't want to be late(r), so I came home and swapped for my urban assault front wheel. It's a Record hub on a Velocity rim, which isn't a big deal, but it has a 35c tire on it that actually measures 32c. This was NOT the correct choice for singletrack. It was great riding out on the road, but once it the woods, I was like pinestraw...all over the trail! When the NASCAR boys talk about a push, or understeer, it means the front of the vehicle won't turn. It just pushes through the corner. Welcome to my ride last night. The skinny tire made me ride much slower than usual and my flipping hands hurt this morning from the jarring they received.
Suffice it to say, the 40 will be going on the other front wheel at some point before my next excursion into the woods. I may even throw the Marzocchi fork on it...
We did have a good ride though. They have closed the road we ride out on due to some issues with a dam by the lake. It was nice not having to dodge cars.
It was another crazy smell night too. This time is was freshly struck matches. Just weird...
My brother is threatening to get a new cross bike! He's ridden the Fuji for about 8 years. He's starting to be forced to Frankenstein the thing here and there for operational utility. Personally, I'm waiting for the thing to come apart under him one night...
Oh well, another day, another $.67...
I didn't want to be late(r), so I came home and swapped for my urban assault front wheel. It's a Record hub on a Velocity rim, which isn't a big deal, but it has a 35c tire on it that actually measures 32c. This was NOT the correct choice for singletrack. It was great riding out on the road, but once it the woods, I was like pinestraw...all over the trail! When the NASCAR boys talk about a push, or understeer, it means the front of the vehicle won't turn. It just pushes through the corner. Welcome to my ride last night. The skinny tire made me ride much slower than usual and my flipping hands hurt this morning from the jarring they received.
Suffice it to say, the 40 will be going on the other front wheel at some point before my next excursion into the woods. I may even throw the Marzocchi fork on it...
We did have a good ride though. They have closed the road we ride out on due to some issues with a dam by the lake. It was nice not having to dodge cars.
It was another crazy smell night too. This time is was freshly struck matches. Just weird...
My brother is threatening to get a new cross bike! He's ridden the Fuji for about 8 years. He's starting to be forced to Frankenstein the thing here and there for operational utility. Personally, I'm waiting for the thing to come apart under him one night...
Oh well, another day, another $.67...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)