Nice Aero kit!
Check out the pipe! the secret to a 24 hr run apparently
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
failure to train
I need to start getting it together as the first races of the season loom ever nearer. This past week I got in 2 sessions on the rollers and one halfway decent mtb ride on saturday. On sunday I did get a couple road miles in but it was cruising downtown with the wife so those don't really count towards fitness.
Just to balance things out, I did eat a bunch of mexican food and drank plenty of margaritas, beers and even martinis last week so that ought to help, right?
First mtb race - Feb. 7
First road race - Feb 13
Just to balance things out, I did eat a bunch of mexican food and drank plenty of margaritas, beers and even martinis last week so that ought to help, right?
First mtb race - Feb. 7
First road race - Feb 13
Sunday, January 10, 2010
mtb weekend
It has been so cold and windy here lately that there has been nothing appealing about road biking. So I am really really glad that JE and BL talked me into getting a mountain bike this year.
This weekend I spent 2 hrs in the woods sat and 3 hrs today. I got all the way up to 36 this afternoon so it wasnt even chilly at all. Today's ride was supposed to be an easy day. JE, my usual riding partner and the local leg ripper, called to say he could not make it. So I decided to take E-dog with me and make an easy day of it.
She is plenty fast, but since I don't exercise her enough I worry about pushing her too hard.
Well, long story short - JE did show up an hr late so I got two laps in with E, then threw her in the truck and rode 3 fast laps with JE, then got E back out for one easier victory lap. 6 laps x3 miles each = 18 miles = a long day.
Felt good though and fast on at least one lap.
This weekend I spent 2 hrs in the woods sat and 3 hrs today. I got all the way up to 36 this afternoon so it wasnt even chilly at all. Today's ride was supposed to be an easy day. JE, my usual riding partner and the local leg ripper, called to say he could not make it. So I decided to take E-dog with me and make an easy day of it.
She is plenty fast, but since I don't exercise her enough I worry about pushing her too hard.
Well, long story short - JE did show up an hr late so I got two laps in with E, then threw her in the truck and rode 3 fast laps with JE, then got E back out for one easier victory lap. 6 laps x3 miles each = 18 miles = a long day.
Felt good though and fast on at least one lap.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
surfing the net because its 20 degrees out
and I found these pics from the Down East Cyclists Time Trial this fall.
I raced the sport class and ended up on the little step with a 23.3 mph average speed for the flat 11 mile out and back course.
I was happy with the result because I felt like I had given it all I had. Goal for next year = 24+ mph
pics from http://downeastcyclists.com/?page_id=340
I raced the sport class and ended up on the little step with a 23.3 mph average speed for the flat 11 mile out and back course.
I was happy with the result because I felt like I had given it all I had. Goal for next year = 24+ mph
pics from http://downeastcyclists.com/?page_id=340
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Aint no race for the wicked...
Major disappointment as suspicions were confirmed today that the first mtb race of the series (scheduled for this sunday) has been canceled because all of the rain has left the course soaking wet.
I am almost embarrassed to admit how excited I was for this race and now I have to wait another month.
Too bad there is no cross racing around here to fill the void.
On a brighter note, preliminary race schedules are now up so I can start obsessing over plans and calendars.
I bought a race license so now I am officially obligated to race at least 6 days to make it worth the price over the one day license price.
Since it is fricken freezing mr bigglesworth there is a whole lot more planning then riding lately.
I am almost embarrassed to admit how excited I was for this race and now I have to wait another month.
Too bad there is no cross racing around here to fill the void.
On a brighter note, preliminary race schedules are now up so I can start obsessing over plans and calendars.
I bought a race license so now I am officially obligated to race at least 6 days to make it worth the price over the one day license price.
Since it is fricken freezing mr bigglesworth there is a whole lot more planning then riding lately.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Year
I wont say "I can't believe it is January!" because I am freezing my ass off so it is actually really easy to believe. December did disappear in a blur of family and food and parties. I got almost no long road rides in (for shame) but did get a bunch of solid mountain bike rides in.
Most mtb rides were in the 2 hr range and wore me out. My feeling is that they are good for increasing power as well as upper body and core strength, but my stamina is definitely slipping without the longer 3+ hour road rides.
I quit the gym because honestly I hate going and I really dont want to put on any muscle mass this year. I am tipping the scales at about 180 right now, which isnt too bad on my 6'3" frame, but a good amount of it is not helping me out any (ie - fat). I am making 165 my target weight with a realistic expectation of reaching 170. This will be 5 lbs lighter than I was last year and hopefully with more muscle.
If I aim to lose 3 lbs a month I should be in good shape by March.So make that goal one. I am still waiting for the race calendar to be published so I can pick out the races I plan to do. The Piedmont Omnium in early July will probably be my biggest focus with as many other crits and road races as I can do within a reasonable driving distance. I want to try to do 9 mass start races this year if possible so that I can get out of cat 5 by the end of the year.
My new road bike fund keeps getting eaten by the house and other misc bills. If I can get my motorcycle sold I will use some of that $ to fund the purchase. Last year I did a bit of freelance writing to support my bike habit, but this year I want to try to do something different since I already spend all day at work staring at a computer.
And of course there is the mtb series that is supposed to start this weekend although the first race may be canceled because the trail is still underwater. This is ruining my week by the way. I have been really psyched up for this because I think I have improved a whole lot over the past month when I did the Toys for Tots race and finished 5th.
Plus, since my birthday is in Feb and I will be 35, I am going to be racing beginner+ and wont have to contend with the 20 something crowd.
So preliminary goals for 2010:
1. get down to 170 lbs by April
2. make/save enough $ for a new used road bike
3. race all 6 races of the mtb series
4. podium in the mtb series
5. race 9 cat 5 road races/crits to get my upgrade
6. podium in a road race/crit
Wish me luck...
Most mtb rides were in the 2 hr range and wore me out. My feeling is that they are good for increasing power as well as upper body and core strength, but my stamina is definitely slipping without the longer 3+ hour road rides.
I quit the gym because honestly I hate going and I really dont want to put on any muscle mass this year. I am tipping the scales at about 180 right now, which isnt too bad on my 6'3" frame, but a good amount of it is not helping me out any (ie - fat). I am making 165 my target weight with a realistic expectation of reaching 170. This will be 5 lbs lighter than I was last year and hopefully with more muscle.
If I aim to lose 3 lbs a month I should be in good shape by March.So make that goal one. I am still waiting for the race calendar to be published so I can pick out the races I plan to do. The Piedmont Omnium in early July will probably be my biggest focus with as many other crits and road races as I can do within a reasonable driving distance. I want to try to do 9 mass start races this year if possible so that I can get out of cat 5 by the end of the year.
My new road bike fund keeps getting eaten by the house and other misc bills. If I can get my motorcycle sold I will use some of that $ to fund the purchase. Last year I did a bit of freelance writing to support my bike habit, but this year I want to try to do something different since I already spend all day at work staring at a computer.
And of course there is the mtb series that is supposed to start this weekend although the first race may be canceled because the trail is still underwater. This is ruining my week by the way. I have been really psyched up for this because I think I have improved a whole lot over the past month when I did the Toys for Tots race and finished 5th.
Plus, since my birthday is in Feb and I will be 35, I am going to be racing beginner+ and wont have to contend with the 20 something crowd.
So preliminary goals for 2010:
1. get down to 170 lbs by April
2. make/save enough $ for a new used road bike
3. race all 6 races of the mtb series
4. podium in the mtb series
5. race 9 cat 5 road races/crits to get my upgrade
6. podium in a road race/crit
Wish me luck...
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Mountain biking = Maintenance!
Had a great ride through the woods yesterday, but I am going to have to spend just as long today fixing the bike. Front hub is loose and probably needs grease, and the wheel needs to be trued, front derailiuer needs adjusting, both grips are loose and the whole thing is filthy. But first a nap...
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