Get yours from Handlebar Mustache. Support Brett, and what he does. One, because he's just a super nice guy who is crazy passionate about the sport, and Two, because he lives in Boulder, and we all know what's going on out there right now...
14 September 2013
Pretty near perfect
Get yours from Handlebar Mustache. Support Brett, and what he does. One, because he's just a super nice guy who is crazy passionate about the sport, and Two, because he lives in Boulder, and we all know what's going on out there right now...
13 September 2013
Friday the 13th
Fun ride last night. Didn't feel altogether chipper from the week of not riding, but still enjoyed it, and isn't that the whole point anyway?
I will say this, and then leave it alone...
If you are going to bitch about how someone else takes a pull, feel free to take your happy ass to the front and actually TAKE A FUCKING PULL! (Looking at you Sean...)
Glad I put the big light on the bike, as it was DARK when I hit Service Course @ 8 o'clock. Get ready for The Darkness...
And from the "What the Hell were they thinking" file...
Yeah, that's a real thing...and Berto does NOT approve...
This is a better thing...
MCipollini RB1K IT from Mcipollini on Vimeo.
And did you hear? LeMond is slapping his name on bikes again.
Wonder who he'll blame this time when the business goes to shit?
Let's examine...
Time Bicycles are horribly expensive machines. Yes, they are pretty fecking cool, but the money is a bit nutty.
A LeMond "Limited Edition" Time? Yeah, that'll be affordable...as long as your job description includes the terms "Doctor", "Money Manager", "Investment Banker", or "Trust Fund".
Shops won't bring them in for stock. Sure, they'll sell a few to those mentioned above, but the rest will languish in a warehouse somewhere outside Paris.
Give it 18-24 months, and Greggy-Poo will be back in the cycling media, crapping on heads.
And I'm SURE that Lance will even catch some flung poo, just because that's how LeMond rolls.
Have a good weekend. Go ride your bike or something...
12 September 2013
I hate being a grown up...
Hate, hate, hate it....
The whole "responsibility" thing is a crock of shit. It's just another tool of oppression by the MAN.
As has been documented on this very page, American money has been running out of my pockets lately. House repairs, truck repairs, visits to the Pediatrician, etc. You know, life stuff.
Well, life stuff has put the kibosh on racing HellHole. I had already cut it back to just doing Saturday, but NOW, it's cut back to not leaving Columbia.
Between the hotel, food, gas, and entry fees, I'm saving quite a bit of change. Yet I'm still bummed...
Oh well...welcome to being a responsible, upstanding (for the most part), married, father of 3.
Did I mention the race is on my anniversary? That didn't exactly help the case for going to Charleston to play bikes, and fuck off with my friends.
Moving on...
Parking at the Merckx factory is a bit different...and it's okay...
Speaking of Merckx...I'm gonna need a minute...
And speaking of track bikes, here we see both form, and function. The form is nicer though...
And believe it or not, this started life as one of those inane Harley V-Rods. WAY better now...
Probably goes like stink too...
This kid is a stud...period...
Marley does Ventoux. from Adrian Moat on Vimeo.
And a couple of links to learn you some history...
Roads were not built for Cars....
Woodrow Wilson rode...
Mr. H blows up another pro Strava segment...
See you tonight. The days are getting short...might be time to break out the big lights...
The whole "responsibility" thing is a crock of shit. It's just another tool of oppression by the MAN.
As has been documented on this very page, American money has been running out of my pockets lately. House repairs, truck repairs, visits to the Pediatrician, etc. You know, life stuff.
Well, life stuff has put the kibosh on racing HellHole. I had already cut it back to just doing Saturday, but NOW, it's cut back to not leaving Columbia.
Between the hotel, food, gas, and entry fees, I'm saving quite a bit of change. Yet I'm still bummed...
Oh well...welcome to being a responsible, upstanding (for the most part), married, father of 3.
Did I mention the race is on my anniversary? That didn't exactly help the case for going to Charleston to play bikes, and fuck off with my friends.
Moving on...
Probably goes like stink too...
This kid is a stud...period...
Marley does Ventoux. from Adrian Moat on Vimeo.
And a couple of links to learn you some history...
Roads were not built for Cars....
Woodrow Wilson rode...
Mr. H blows up another pro Strava segment...
See you tonight. The days are getting short...might be time to break out the big lights...
10 September 2013
No ridey....
No ride for the kid tonight. The Boss has a work-related function to attend. I say "related" as it's nothing more than the Execs throwing themselves a dinner to celebrate completion of an internal audit.
Yeah, it's a head scratcher...
Ford and I rode a little bit last night instead. The Powerstation seems to be in good nick these days. Big thanks to LexCo for putting up the K-Rail on each end to keep out the riff-raff, and their trucks.
The big mudhole is still there, but definitely shrinking in size with each dry day. Didn't really matter, as I decided to do a small effort last night, and picked the ENTIRELY incorrect line through the hole. I got kicked to the left HARD, and came to what can only be described as a semi-controlled, yet very abrupt stop.
Ford was quite amused.
I tromped out of the mud, remounted, and continued the effort. It actually felt sort of good. I think the head cold is pretty much gone...
Good ride and fun terrain on a pretty much Chamber of Commerce evening.
And I got to wear my new gloves...
So, so flouro...
No rides for me until Thursday, unless I can sneak out Wednesday night for a little while...
Two wheels good...very good...
Dura-Ace. 11v. Hydraulic. Cylon?
Getting closer...all that's needed is the scrolling red light.
Ok...there's a new Euro mullet leader. Rigoberto Uran ladies and gents....
And remember, education starts at home!!
And Assos evidently thinks that all cyclists are A)made of money B)daft or C) answers A and B.
$519 for a pair of bibs? And a cutout for your junk? Really?
Enjoy your Tuesday!
Yeah, it's a head scratcher...
Ford and I rode a little bit last night instead. The Powerstation seems to be in good nick these days. Big thanks to LexCo for putting up the K-Rail on each end to keep out the riff-raff, and their trucks.
The big mudhole is still there, but definitely shrinking in size with each dry day. Didn't really matter, as I decided to do a small effort last night, and picked the ENTIRELY incorrect line through the hole. I got kicked to the left HARD, and came to what can only be described as a semi-controlled, yet very abrupt stop.
Ford was quite amused.
I tromped out of the mud, remounted, and continued the effort. It actually felt sort of good. I think the head cold is pretty much gone...
Good ride and fun terrain on a pretty much Chamber of Commerce evening.
And I got to wear my new gloves...
No rides for me until Thursday, unless I can sneak out Wednesday night for a little while...
And Assos evidently thinks that all cyclists are A)made of money B)daft or C) answers A and B.
$519 for a pair of bibs? And a cutout for your junk? Really?
Enjoy your Tuesday!
09 September 2013
It's coming...
Fall that is...
There has been a little crisp in the air the last few mornings. Sure, by noon, the day has turned into a normal, humid, borderline SC day.
I can tell you though, there were a few instances on the ride yesterday when one could just FEEL the Fall breeze. Personally, I'm ready...
Speaking of yesterday, it was a damn good Sunday ride. A sizable group that stayed together for the entire ride. Shocking, I know!
No one made the effort to un-sheath a sword...until Fish Hatchery that is...
The pace went from 35kmh to 40 to 43 to 47 to 50 and finally settled at 53-54kmh for the last stretch before the turn. A strong group, and a nice tailwind will do that for you.
I came around on the last downhill @ 68kmh. That's nearly 43mph for the metric challenged. 'Twas quick...
I was actually wishing for either an 11, or a 53 big ring. The 52/12 was SPUN.
We all rolled back in together, and ended up with anywhere from dead on 80km, up to 90km (me...farthest away...).
A good Sunday ride.
Then I stood on an aluminum extension ladder for about 4 hours, painting the front of the house. Nothing helps the legs recover, and feel GOOD, like climbing a ladder. Good times!
Oh Peter...
THAT'S how you take the inside line. Nice to see the UHC got a little of their own medicine.
As an aside, Sagan has won on 9 of the 21 days he's raced in the US this year. That's 43%!! Not bad...
And he has style! Other riders think they do (Cav...cough...cough..), but Peter just puts on his damn cowboy hat, and walks to the team bus. Style...
Pssst...Nys is coming to Vegas...
Bike rack? We don't need no steeeking bike rack...
Thibaut Pinot. These are still the best shots. The reflection in the mirrored visor is always just cool.
And with that...Happy Monday!
There has been a little crisp in the air the last few mornings. Sure, by noon, the day has turned into a normal, humid, borderline SC day.
I can tell you though, there were a few instances on the ride yesterday when one could just FEEL the Fall breeze. Personally, I'm ready...
Speaking of yesterday, it was a damn good Sunday ride. A sizable group that stayed together for the entire ride. Shocking, I know!
No one made the effort to un-sheath a sword...until Fish Hatchery that is...
The pace went from 35kmh to 40 to 43 to 47 to 50 and finally settled at 53-54kmh for the last stretch before the turn. A strong group, and a nice tailwind will do that for you.
I came around on the last downhill @ 68kmh. That's nearly 43mph for the metric challenged. 'Twas quick...
I was actually wishing for either an 11, or a 53 big ring. The 52/12 was SPUN.
We all rolled back in together, and ended up with anywhere from dead on 80km, up to 90km (me...farthest away...).
A good Sunday ride.
Then I stood on an aluminum extension ladder for about 4 hours, painting the front of the house. Nothing helps the legs recover, and feel GOOD, like climbing a ladder. Good times!
Oh Peter...
THAT'S how you take the inside line. Nice to see the UHC got a little of their own medicine.
As an aside, Sagan has won on 9 of the 21 days he's raced in the US this year. That's 43%!! Not bad...
And with that...Happy Monday!
06 September 2013
The short week that really wasn't...
Four day weeks are supposed to be short, right? Then why did this week seem like it lasted 19 days? Fu.....
Fun solo CX ride last night. A little bit of everything...
The Boss had to do a radio interview @ 7 as her company is the title sponsor of the SC High School Football radio network, so the group ride was a no go.
She came home early so I could get in a quick ride. She's a keeper...
I rolled out @ 4:30, and headed for the Powerstation.
I guess that the City of Cayce, and LexCo are serious about keeping the rednecks from further destroying the road. So much so that K-Rail was installed across the entrance of the dirt.
Easily crossed...
The road itself is actually in pretty good shape. It's a bit of a potpourri of surfaces and textures at this point. Loose sand, hardpack, gravel, and still a little mud. The best/crazy thing about it is the fact that it's ALWAYS different. This is why it's so great...
Anyway, I was on a time crunch, so a very quick out and back was all she wrote. Once back into civilization, the fun began. Across Cayce, and up Gervais to get home.
And of course, some redneck bro fratboy in his daddy's Tahoe had to show just how cool he was to the rest of the bros in the truck.
Listen, I ride like cars don;t see me, and I take the whole lane when it's called for. Don't like it? Tough shit.
I'm sitting at the light at the Gervais/Huger intersection, taking the entire far right lane, so I can go straight up Gervais, you know, like a CAR would do.
Bro starts honking and screaming like the entitled child his parents created. He's trying to turn right. Again, tough shit!
I turn, look, shake my head, and turn back around. Hit me man, please. See how it works out for you.
I'll take your truck, your tuition, and your parents house.
If I would have been sitting there in my 5500 pound Yukon XL, no one would have said a damn thing. Fortunately, in that situation, SC Vehicle Code sees the bike, and the Yukon exactly the same way.
Light turned green, and I was on my way. About 45 seconds had passed.
And to the Pi Kappa Phi bro in the black Tahoe with the Monster Energy decal on the back, I'm betting it's not real hard to find you. If I see you again, we may have a short chat.
Anywho, I got in a good ride..right at 1:30, and was home in time for The Boss to go do her thing.
A few of us would like to get the Rosewood School ride going again on Saturday mornings. 0900 in the parking lot. 50-ish miles out through LR. Steady and together. If interested, shoot me a note. I'm easy to find...
Gilbert's "surprise" win from yesterday...
I say "surprise" b/c the cycling cognescenti on Twitter gave ole PhilGil a hearty ration of shit for this being his only win so far this season.
Yeah...and how many races did those morons win this year...in Grand Tours...while wearing the Arc en Ciel? Yeah, that's what I thought...
I have a friend who is a Masters National Champ. He said the jersey was like a target when he had to wear it. Go in a move...get covered. Roll to the front, get covered. Stop to pee...you have pee partners.
I'd imagine the rainbow is sort of the same way.
Yes, Fabs IS that big. Mig is a big guy. I have a picture much like this one, and he's easily taller than me...at 6'1".
And speaking of the Arc en Ciel, is there a better one than this? If you look up "style", this picture will be in the margin.
OK...time to get the ball rolling on the day.
It's supposed to be beautiful this weekend. Go outside and play.
Fun solo CX ride last night. A little bit of everything...
The Boss had to do a radio interview @ 7 as her company is the title sponsor of the SC High School Football radio network, so the group ride was a no go.
She came home early so I could get in a quick ride. She's a keeper...
I rolled out @ 4:30, and headed for the Powerstation.
I guess that the City of Cayce, and LexCo are serious about keeping the rednecks from further destroying the road. So much so that K-Rail was installed across the entrance of the dirt.
Easily crossed...
The road itself is actually in pretty good shape. It's a bit of a potpourri of surfaces and textures at this point. Loose sand, hardpack, gravel, and still a little mud. The best/crazy thing about it is the fact that it's ALWAYS different. This is why it's so great...
Anyway, I was on a time crunch, so a very quick out and back was all she wrote. Once back into civilization, the fun began. Across Cayce, and up Gervais to get home.
And of course, some redneck bro fratboy in his daddy's Tahoe had to show just how cool he was to the rest of the bros in the truck.
Listen, I ride like cars don;t see me, and I take the whole lane when it's called for. Don't like it? Tough shit.
I'm sitting at the light at the Gervais/Huger intersection, taking the entire far right lane, so I can go straight up Gervais, you know, like a CAR would do.
Bro starts honking and screaming like the entitled child his parents created. He's trying to turn right. Again, tough shit!
I turn, look, shake my head, and turn back around. Hit me man, please. See how it works out for you.
I'll take your truck, your tuition, and your parents house.
If I would have been sitting there in my 5500 pound Yukon XL, no one would have said a damn thing. Fortunately, in that situation, SC Vehicle Code sees the bike, and the Yukon exactly the same way.
Light turned green, and I was on my way. About 45 seconds had passed.
And to the Pi Kappa Phi bro in the black Tahoe with the Monster Energy decal on the back, I'm betting it's not real hard to find you. If I see you again, we may have a short chat.
Anywho, I got in a good ride..right at 1:30, and was home in time for The Boss to go do her thing.
A few of us would like to get the Rosewood School ride going again on Saturday mornings. 0900 in the parking lot. 50-ish miles out through LR. Steady and together. If interested, shoot me a note. I'm easy to find...
Gilbert's "surprise" win from yesterday...
I say "surprise" b/c the cycling cognescenti on Twitter gave ole PhilGil a hearty ration of shit for this being his only win so far this season.
Yeah...and how many races did those morons win this year...in Grand Tours...while wearing the Arc en Ciel? Yeah, that's what I thought...
I have a friend who is a Masters National Champ. He said the jersey was like a target when he had to wear it. Go in a move...get covered. Roll to the front, get covered. Stop to pee...you have pee partners.
I'd imagine the rainbow is sort of the same way.
OK...time to get the ball rolling on the day.
It's supposed to be beautiful this weekend. Go outside and play.
05 September 2013
More things to look at...
Oh Peter...
I think I may have found my next project...
Not sure if this is serious, or a SNL skit. FYI, cycling liners for women (and men) have been made for DECADES....
People will give money for just about anything on Kickstarter...
And you'll never lose your keys again...until the next time...
Kinda doesn't work if you have one of those switchblade/All-in-One car key/keyfob things, eh?
Tell me again about your hardman/epic/suffer ride... (shuddup...)
I really need to break out 1994 Roubaix, and give it a good watch. Maybe a viewing party in the backyard sometime soon?
Some of us are deviating from the plan tonight. If you'd care to be a deviant with us (did that come out right?), ride a bicycle type conveyance that is dirt friendly.
Time for a Target run...I should really buy stock in that place....
I think I may have found my next project...
Not sure if this is serious, or a SNL skit. FYI, cycling liners for women (and men) have been made for DECADES....
People will give money for just about anything on Kickstarter...
And you'll never lose your keys again...until the next time...
Some of us are deviating from the plan tonight. If you'd care to be a deviant with us (did that come out right?), ride a bicycle type conveyance that is dirt friendly.
Time for a Target run...I should really buy stock in that place....
04 September 2013
03 September 2013
No more white pants, nor white shoes...
Does this Post-Labor Day fashion rule apply to cycling gear?
No white shorts should be a year round rule, but man, I hope the no white shoes thing doesn't get factored in.
Of course, it will be an excuse to buy the new flouro Diadoras I've had my eye on...
Did a short ride Saturday, just blow some carbon out of the pipes. Well in this case, it was whatever garbage was rattling around within my sinus cavity. A lot of "carbon" went by the wayside.
Believe it or not, The Powerstation is in decent shape. Well, decent is a sliding scale. It's "decent" if one doesn't mind some smooth, fast dirt that's broken up by several large, stagnant, dank, waterholes.
I almost expected to see wildebeest at couple of them...
Vitamin D is good for a head cold, right?
Sunday morning, the group assembled, and rolled out into Lex/Cal. Nice, easy pace. Got rid of additional "carbon", and even put in a pretty fair effort on the run down Fish Hatchery.
Got home with 90km...in 90 degree heat...with 90% humidity. Symmetry...
No ride for Labor Day. Instead, I rolled out to the LexCo Branch Office, and did some manual labor for The Big Boss. The house and sidewalks got pressure washed, some storm damage got repaired, and a few trees got limbed out.
My hands are useless bags of meat and bone this morning. And yes, I AM a damn good son!
Sounded like the Caughman Road Labor Day ride had a good turnout. Nothing like rolling an easy 50 in the flats on a beautiful day.
A Ti Look? Uh, yes please...
Salsa Colossal disc bike. First disc bike I've gotten even a little excited about.
World Championships are coming. Above is a handy primer for picking out your favorite country/rider.
And I leave you with this...
As you sit at work today, after a long weekend, remember that some people have way worse occupations than you. Others however, have it WAAAAY better...
My friend Mike 'Felix' Juenger took this out the canopy of his F18 over the weekend. Yeah, his job doesn't suck....
Back to work people!
No white shorts should be a year round rule, but man, I hope the no white shoes thing doesn't get factored in.
Of course, it will be an excuse to buy the new flouro Diadoras I've had my eye on...
Did a short ride Saturday, just blow some carbon out of the pipes. Well in this case, it was whatever garbage was rattling around within my sinus cavity. A lot of "carbon" went by the wayside.
Believe it or not, The Powerstation is in decent shape. Well, decent is a sliding scale. It's "decent" if one doesn't mind some smooth, fast dirt that's broken up by several large, stagnant, dank, waterholes.
I almost expected to see wildebeest at couple of them...
Sunday morning, the group assembled, and rolled out into Lex/Cal. Nice, easy pace. Got rid of additional "carbon", and even put in a pretty fair effort on the run down Fish Hatchery.
Got home with 90km...in 90 degree heat...with 90% humidity. Symmetry...
No ride for Labor Day. Instead, I rolled out to the LexCo Branch Office, and did some manual labor for The Big Boss. The house and sidewalks got pressure washed, some storm damage got repaired, and a few trees got limbed out.
My hands are useless bags of meat and bone this morning. And yes, I AM a damn good son!
Sounded like the Caughman Road Labor Day ride had a good turnout. Nothing like rolling an easy 50 in the flats on a beautiful day.
And I leave you with this...
As you sit at work today, after a long weekend, remember that some people have way worse occupations than you. Others however, have it WAAAAY better...
Back to work people!
30 August 2013
So...so close...
So Tony Martin went solo at the Vuelta the other day...at KM 1. He didn't get caught until he was 25m from the line. That's right. A 174-ish km solo break.
As has been well documented on my little dirt road off the information superhighway, I don't like OPQS. Ironic, as I like several of their riders...
Anyway, that was some heroic effort from Tony Martin. Reminds me of when DZ went all solo on the field in Stage 11 of La Vuelta in 04...but held it...for 161km.
(There would usually be a video here, but for the life of me, I cannot track one down)
Instead...here's a video of everyone's favorite doper...
Notice the names in the clip? Yeah? All guys popped for dope. Maybe the field WAS level back then?
And you cheered...you know you did...it's OK!
OK...gotta go do laundry. The work of the Director of Facilities is never done.
As has been well documented on my little dirt road off the information superhighway, I don't like OPQS. Ironic, as I like several of their riders...
Anyway, that was some heroic effort from Tony Martin. Reminds me of when DZ went all solo on the field in Stage 11 of La Vuelta in 04...but held it...for 161km.
(There would usually be a video here, but for the life of me, I cannot track one down)
Instead...here's a video of everyone's favorite doper...
Notice the names in the clip? Yeah? All guys popped for dope. Maybe the field WAS level back then?
And you cheered...you know you did...it's OK!
29 August 2013
I was right...
I know it pains pretty much everyone around here when this happens, but it does occur...more often than not...
The problem this time is that I was right, and it's paining ME.
I felt sort of puny last weekend, and was at the end of a six week riding period, so I figured I'd back off a bit, and take a little rest.
I told Ford on Saturday that I'd be sick by the middle of the week, and I was right.
Between the amount of riding, and school starting back up, I have something swimming around in my cranium, and I think we all know, it ain't brains.
I normally DO pick up something at this time of year. I blame the kids. They go back to school, and get around all of the other little dirt farmers, then bring home an amalgamation of whatever strains of sick are floating around. It's sort of an virological boulliabaisse.
Mark my words...it will eventually be the root cause of the zombie apocalypse.
No matter. I can't ride tonight anyway, due to The Boss having to oversee the hospitality tent at the Carolina football game. I'll just hydrate, and fill myself with over the counter meds. I'd call my personal Doc for a RX, but he's in worse shape than I after a high speed shunt that left the poor boy with a bunch of broken bones...and hopes.
I cannot decide here...
I'm down with the flouro, but flat green. It looks like it should glow in the dark. Maybe it does...?
Remember, caps...not hats...
That's right...
Why do I have the distinct feeling that Bristol's pool will meet a similar demise when it's reached the end of it's useful life?
Oh, and Tuesday's ride was fun. Decent average pace, and I did exactly what I said I was going to do...not ride at all hard. Just sort of rolled around.took my turns, and came home...in the dark.
Hope everyone enjoys their ride tonight. Be safe. The roads will be filled with drunken college football fans.
I'm off to Target and Earthfare. Oh boy...the excitement is palpable.
The problem this time is that I was right, and it's paining ME.
I felt sort of puny last weekend, and was at the end of a six week riding period, so I figured I'd back off a bit, and take a little rest.
I told Ford on Saturday that I'd be sick by the middle of the week, and I was right.
Between the amount of riding, and school starting back up, I have something swimming around in my cranium, and I think we all know, it ain't brains.
I normally DO pick up something at this time of year. I blame the kids. They go back to school, and get around all of the other little dirt farmers, then bring home an amalgamation of whatever strains of sick are floating around. It's sort of an virological boulliabaisse.
Mark my words...it will eventually be the root cause of the zombie apocalypse.
No matter. I can't ride tonight anyway, due to The Boss having to oversee the hospitality tent at the Carolina football game. I'll just hydrate, and fill myself with over the counter meds. I'd call my personal Doc for a RX, but he's in worse shape than I after a high speed shunt that left the poor boy with a bunch of broken bones...and hopes.
I cannot decide here...
Oh, and Tuesday's ride was fun. Decent average pace, and I did exactly what I said I was going to do...not ride at all hard. Just sort of rolled around.took my turns, and came home...in the dark.
Hope everyone enjoys their ride tonight. Be safe. The roads will be filled with drunken college football fans.
I'm off to Target and Earthfare. Oh boy...the excitement is palpable.
27 August 2013
Things...and such...and so on...
As an aside, some GlobalBike guy was wearing an Air Attack last Saturday. Really? I know it was a quick ride, but is that necessary?
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If anyone shows up on the group rides with an aero helmet, I will make fun of you.
I think I may join a new club soon. Tarik Saleh has it correct.
Peto video finally works. He should really ride CX this Winter.
Nothing much else going on.
Horner is leading the Vuelta, which is either a commentary on the quality of the race itself, or the quality of the AvGas to which the 41 year old still has access. Yawn...
See you guys @ 6:30...
Update : Straight from EuroBike. The new C'dale Slice RS TT rig. You listening Brandenburg?
26 August 2013
Wait...what?
So Saturday morning, Ford, Il Prof, and I rolled out EARLY, and headed to Clinton for the 2013 Flight of the Dove. You know, a nice, friendly metric with 400+ of our closest friends, that benefits the Hospice of Laurens County.
Got there in plenty of time. Kitted up, found a good spot to get comfy for the start, and BOOM!! It was on like Donkey Kong.
We rolled out onto the main road at a normal start-of-ride pace...then all hell broke loose. I was talked to Aaron and Roxy, glanced up the road, and there was a 500m gap to the front already. WTF man? 3 minutes into the ride, I'm burning matches @ 50kmh to bridge to the front. Super...
I got there, and it was go time. The next 35-40 minutes was faster than ANY road/circuit race I'd ever been in. The first 40 minutes passed at an average of 42kmh. That's 26.5mph in old money. What?
I began to question a few things. Sure, I was handling the pace fine at mile 15, but what would mile 55 be like? And as Ford and I discussed, what, exactly, was the point? Sure, you go to these rides to go hard, and break out a good avg. pace, but I never saw the bucolic Laurens County countryside for the time I was in the front
I called it, sat up just before the tire eating section of the ride, and pedaled alone for a few minutes. I crested a rise after about 5 minutes alone, and saw Ford coming back towards me. He was just shaking his head. Almost at the same moment, we both said, aloud, "What the fuck...?"
We soft-pedaled for a while, waiting on womens' State champ Sam (she's strong like Bull), and the three of us rode together for a solid 20 minutes before the second group caught us.
From there, we had a good group, save for the guy in the yellow jersey, who made efforts to kill the entire group with every pedal stroke. And by "kill", I do not mean break our legs, or drop us. He was literally homicidal on the bike. My six year old holds a tighter line.
The second group stayed together for pretty much the remainder of the ride, and it was pretty good.
Cracks began to show, with pretty much everyone, around mile 55. I cracked like a Lladro figurine at mile 58. Not a bonk, but the speed went away pretty quickly. 40kmh became 35kmh, and then 32kmh. And that was all the engine room had left.
I did dig a bit when I saw my time, and the fact I only had 2 miles left. It hurt...
Finish time was 2:49 for the 100km, which comes out to 35.4kmh, or dead on 22mph. I'll take that on a windy, hillier than anyone expected loop.
It's a great ride. Well organized, tons of outstanding/friendly volunteers, great terrain, and a good cause. I'll go back!
Sunday, we met for the normal ride, and it became clear pretty quickly that anything resembling speed was not on the menu. We all rode out together, and once Timmy and Ford split off to head home early, the rest of the group also split. The front rode away, while Il Prof, Charlie and I rode together.
It was all I wanted/needed.
85km rolled under wheels on a borderline perfect SC Sunday.
See? I told you!
The other two of the three amigos...
Twas a good weekend of riding...
Oh Peter....
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gLDMhKHlEIA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Now down the stairs...no big deal. UP can be done, but might lead to a broken bone of some sort... ( the video seems not to be cooperating. Here's the LINK)
And the photo below is why hipsters shouldn't have money...
A Merckx Max w/Belge National Champ paint...and a complete travesty of parts, and set up...
Son, I am disappoint...
And with that, I am done...
Gonna be a lazy Monday around here...hopefully...unless someone wants to go do this...
Got there in plenty of time. Kitted up, found a good spot to get comfy for the start, and BOOM!! It was on like Donkey Kong.
We rolled out onto the main road at a normal start-of-ride pace...then all hell broke loose. I was talked to Aaron and Roxy, glanced up the road, and there was a 500m gap to the front already. WTF man? 3 minutes into the ride, I'm burning matches @ 50kmh to bridge to the front. Super...
I got there, and it was go time. The next 35-40 minutes was faster than ANY road/circuit race I'd ever been in. The first 40 minutes passed at an average of 42kmh. That's 26.5mph in old money. What?
I began to question a few things. Sure, I was handling the pace fine at mile 15, but what would mile 55 be like? And as Ford and I discussed, what, exactly, was the point? Sure, you go to these rides to go hard, and break out a good avg. pace, but I never saw the bucolic Laurens County countryside for the time I was in the front
I called it, sat up just before the tire eating section of the ride, and pedaled alone for a few minutes. I crested a rise after about 5 minutes alone, and saw Ford coming back towards me. He was just shaking his head. Almost at the same moment, we both said, aloud, "What the fuck...?"
We soft-pedaled for a while, waiting on womens' State champ Sam (she's strong like Bull), and the three of us rode together for a solid 20 minutes before the second group caught us.
From there, we had a good group, save for the guy in the yellow jersey, who made efforts to kill the entire group with every pedal stroke. And by "kill", I do not mean break our legs, or drop us. He was literally homicidal on the bike. My six year old holds a tighter line.
The second group stayed together for pretty much the remainder of the ride, and it was pretty good.
Cracks began to show, with pretty much everyone, around mile 55. I cracked like a Lladro figurine at mile 58. Not a bonk, but the speed went away pretty quickly. 40kmh became 35kmh, and then 32kmh. And that was all the engine room had left.
I did dig a bit when I saw my time, and the fact I only had 2 miles left. It hurt...
Finish time was 2:49 for the 100km, which comes out to 35.4kmh, or dead on 22mph. I'll take that on a windy, hillier than anyone expected loop.
It's a great ride. Well organized, tons of outstanding/friendly volunteers, great terrain, and a good cause. I'll go back!
Sunday, we met for the normal ride, and it became clear pretty quickly that anything resembling speed was not on the menu. We all rode out together, and once Timmy and Ford split off to head home early, the rest of the group also split. The front rode away, while Il Prof, Charlie and I rode together.
It was all I wanted/needed.
85km rolled under wheels on a borderline perfect SC Sunday.
Twas a good weekend of riding...
Oh Peter....
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gLDMhKHlEIA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Now down the stairs...no big deal. UP can be done, but might lead to a broken bone of some sort... ( the video seems not to be cooperating. Here's the LINK)
And the photo below is why hipsters shouldn't have money...
Son, I am disappoint...
Gonna be a lazy Monday around here...hopefully...unless someone wants to go do this...
23 August 2013
Short Friday post
Well, the flood in the basement seems to have been solved. Water got pumped out, the water heater, thankfully, fired right back up, and the new sump pump got installed.
After the day of stress, and thinking that I might actually be forced to dip into the DOUBLE secret squirrel, everything seemingly worked out OK.
(Knocks on the very hard, very heavy, Indonesian Teak table on which this is being typed...)
Rushed around, dealt with kids, spent money and didn't eat a whole lot, but chose to go ride anyway.
A few things. Tromping up and down the basement stairs, tromping around in water, and running around like a headless chicken will make you tired, and make your feel less than chipper.
The ride to the ride was not giving positive feedback.
Fortunately, Madre Natura had other plans for the ride anyway. It grew darker as we waited to roll, and once out onto 12th St., it became very clear that big lightning was just ahead of us, and coming our way.
I turned around, as did a few others.
Rain? Sure. Wind? Whatever. Lightning? Ain't nobody got time for that.
It's just a bike ride. There's not real reason to risk having 1TW of energy pass through your person.
And after the stormy ride of two Summers ago, I've probably toed that line a bit more than one should.
Home, shower, eat, bed...thank you!
Oh...here's a small clip that proves that NONE of us are the bike handlers that our little minds want us to believe we are...
Stybar. Eneco Tour. Watch it a few times...you'll see it...
After the day of stress, and thinking that I might actually be forced to dip into the DOUBLE secret squirrel, everything seemingly worked out OK.
(Knocks on the very hard, very heavy, Indonesian Teak table on which this is being typed...)
Rushed around, dealt with kids, spent money and didn't eat a whole lot, but chose to go ride anyway.
A few things. Tromping up and down the basement stairs, tromping around in water, and running around like a headless chicken will make you tired, and make your feel less than chipper.
The ride to the ride was not giving positive feedback.
Fortunately, Madre Natura had other plans for the ride anyway. It grew darker as we waited to roll, and once out onto 12th St., it became very clear that big lightning was just ahead of us, and coming our way.
I turned around, as did a few others.
Rain? Sure. Wind? Whatever. Lightning? Ain't nobody got time for that.
It's just a bike ride. There's not real reason to risk having 1TW of energy pass through your person.
And after the stormy ride of two Summers ago, I've probably toed that line a bit more than one should.
Home, shower, eat, bed...thank you!
Oh...here's a small clip that proves that NONE of us are the bike handlers that our little minds want us to believe we are...
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