Za Enza

Greetings Readers!

It’s come full circle now, what started out as feeling a little puny last weekend has progressively gotten worse. I couldn’t even go in to work today. Hell, it’s all I can do to sit up and type. It’s now officially been 8 days off the bike. Ugh. The flu has hit hard, but the good news is today is the turnaround day, even though I feel sicker than 2 dogs today, tomorrow I’ll turn the corner and start the road back to recovery. Every day after that will be a little better. atmo

Even pro’s must deal with getting sick and or injured right? It’s not the end of the world, this will have little effect on me come cross season. I’ll get back on the bike and get right back to training asap. ”Everything starts from where you are right now” Well, this is where I am. The Flu. Nowhere to go but up! I will get on the bike tomorrow, I promise you that. Even if it’s just to do a short ride on the local MUT, I’m going to pedal. 

Now for your viewing pleasure and cross fix. I found these photos…. I dont live in Boulder, nor do I know the photographer, but I thought the pics were great! Put a smile on my face because they just seem to convey cross. I wish I was in that race. We don’t get snow here in PDX, just rain and lots of pig slop……… 

Cheers!

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Off days….

It’s been a long time since I’ve went a whole weekend without riding, early January I believe. I’ve got the crud, (cough, hack, cough, hack) It’s hanging out in my chest doing some sort of “squaters rights” brand of defiance to hang out and set up camp, refusing to go away. I haven’t ridden in 4 days, tomorrow will be 5 days, sheesh. Gawd, I miss the bike. I’m hoping to get to commute on Wed although I’m not holding my breath. Wed is not supposed to be nice either.

Where’s Coach? Yo’ Coach, what do I do after missing dang near a week of riding? “Well Jim, take it easy for the 1st few rides back before you go hammering again. Let your body recover from being sick or you’ll just be out longer” I reply: “That sucks Coach” Coack laughs, Coach seems to have this “big picture, long term approach to training” that just doesn’t seem to gel with the instant gratification of us “I wanna be fit now!” cyclists. A week is nothing to him, he’s thinking October. We all gotta deal with this kinda thing me thinks, better early April than late August. There are worse things that could happen, It’s not like I’ve an injury to have to heal through. Stay positive Jimbo, it aint the end of the world. Sure seems like it though, maybe I should just call in sick tomorrow and go out for a nice ride? No, I can’t do it. The very nature of our sport seems to weed out the less than motivated, if you know what I mean. It’s just not in my nature to call in when I’m not dying. (couch, cough, hack, hack)

The weather is supposed to be nice on Saturday so I’m doing the whole “yoda willing the force thing” for a clean chest and a sunny day. Did I say I miss the bike? Why do I crave chocolate cake? I want to go riding…….

I think the Cookie Crunch is this month, maybe I should go? It’s a pretty fun ride, I dunno, we’ll see.

Think of me tomorrow morning while I’m in the dentist chair.

Cheers!

Pear Cross

Greetings Readers!

Found this beauty and had to share. I love it, its pure funtion and looks killer to boot. Tony Pereira is a local builder here in PDX, and is churning out some really nice bikes. Check the barrel adjuster on the rear brake cable stop, nice!

Here’s the build:

Tony the Pear frame and fork.

Chris King headset

Thompson stem and post

Deda Bar

Chris King hubs laced to Mavic Reflex tubular rims with Challenge Grifo 32mm tubular tires.

Paul brakes, Neo front, Touring rear.

SRAM Rival drivetrain, 1X10

You can see more Photos HERE.

I’m sure that this beauty will even look nicer covered in mud!

Cheers!

commute 4/3/08

Greetings Readers!

Today was a great day, why? Hit a milestone today. There are lots of little goals within the big goal. Joel Friel calls them “C” races. The big goal for me is to be competetive in cross, that’s the “A” race. Getting to 1000 miles ridden by the end of the 1st quarter was a “C” goal. I managed to get in 3 days commuting this week despite a challenging work schedule. I’m pleased. I missed the end of the 1st quarter by a few days, but I can live with it.  Typically the weather for that 1st quarter is pretty nasty here in the PNW, so this was a great achievment scored by me.

I’m on pace for a 4000 mile year, it’s easy to get in the miles during the 2nd and 3rd quarters when we have good weather, the last quarter will be a little tougher, especially during cross season. Keep in mind a 4000 mile year is nothing for an Elite level cyclist/racer. But hey, this is Pack Fodder remember, you know, us guys who comprise the field. For me 4000 miles is a great year, I’m very excited about having a good season!

The other positive I can take from this week was I’ve had decent legs, not great, but consistent for 3 straight days. No peaks and valleys, I’ve posted the same times and speeds 3 straight days. This is good people, very good. Especially given the challenging work week I’ve had. Didn’t I say that already? The last few weeks have been rough on the bike, lots of suffering going on, paying my dues. I’m hoping that it’s going to start paying dividends in my fitness, climbing ability, and speed. I gotta get faster if I want that top 20 come October.

Tomorrow is a rest day, recovery, so I can hopefully get in some good miles this weekend.

Miles ridden today, 20

Miles ridden 2008, 1006

Cheers!

commute 4/2/08

Greetings readers!

What a great day we had, 60 degrees and sunny. I rode home from work in a short sleeve jersey for the 1st time this year!

Had decent legs today, not bad, not great. But I’ll take the it.

Early weather reports indicate another weekend of character building rides in the rain. Ugh. Good news is its April, and in a month or two we’ll have great summer weather. Short sleeve jerseys and bib shorts. I can’t wait!

Miles ridden today, 20

Miles ridden 2008, 986

Cheers!

commute 4/1/08

Greetings Readers!

Back on the bike today after a rest day yesterday. I had decent legs today despite being tired. It was dry and sunny today so I left the fendered tank in the garage and rode my nice weather commuter. What a differance, why I can’t seem to get up the climbs in the 48 tooth outer ring on the full fender getter vs. the 50th outer ring on my dry weather bike, which I stay in the whole commute, I don’t know? Go figure?

At any rate, I enjoyed riding today. Which is a notable differance since the weekend. And I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s commute. I really hope to get in a good 50+ mile ride over the weekend, with some climbs too.

Miles ridden today, 20

Miles ridden 2008, 967