Pack Fodder

Greetings Readers!

After taking a few days off the bike to recover from Sunday’s efforts I’ve been back to my old commuting ways the last 3 days. Tired legs I had coming home today, tired legs. Tomorrow will be just a light easy ride to spin out the legs and that’s it. I’ll be resting for Sunday’s race tomorrow afternoon. It’s going to be 90 degrees and very dry and dusty. Not, repeat Not, cyclocross weather by any stretch. Like the rain and muck, I can no more control the weather when it’s dry and hot than I can when it’s pouring and cold. You just gotta block it out and give’r.

I was reading the RSCF yesterday; one, cuz I like Richard Sachs. And two, I dig his bikes and his love of CX along with his team even though he’s on the east coast. I bought a set of Grifos from E-Ritchie and found him to be really cool as a person, and to deal with atmo.  I saw that his new brake sponser is ZG, taking over from last years sponsor: Cane Creek. I’ve long loved my ZG’s on my road bike and saw some pirate pics of the cross prototype canti’s that are going to be up for the masses and was chomping at the bit to see them for real. Here they are……. Uber pimp, no?

Initial reaction is typical ZG machineing, excellent. Aesthetically stunning and I’m sure they weigh nothing,  not to mention a ZG price tag to go with. But, I can’t help but wonder about the style of arm that this type of canti uses? I.E. Avid Shorty’s, Cane Creek’s, Tektro’s, etc. = minimal leverage. This type of design just doesn’t stop nearly as well as a horizontal arm much like a Paul Neo, or Spooky, Froglegs, etc. Why would ZG put R&D into an inferior design? Move those arms out to the side, like a Paul Neo and we’d sure as hell have something to up roar about!

What I’m really wrapped up about  is TRP’s new Euro type brake, available in alum, carbon, and at $300 scrill and a whopping 104 grams, magnesium.  Pictured is the alum version and is a mere $49 a pair.

Having long run Paul brakes on my crossers, I’m itching to try these new canti’s out next year. There light weight, have the basic horizontal arm design that produces much more leverage and stopping power and there inexpensive. How can you go wrong? Either way I’ll be waiting to hear how the Sachs team likes the ZG’s and planning on running the TRP Euro’s instead. It’s never too early to start planning for next year.

Miles ridden today, 25

Miles ridden 2008, 3325.

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

It’s good to have goals, big ones, little ones, you name it, we all need that carrot out front to chase. At the start of the year I had several goals,

• I wanted a 4000 mile year, and I wanted to average 1000 miles every quarter.
• I wanted to race cross and improve my average percentage over last year, including a top 20.

Today I hit my 3rd quarter goal 5 weeks early, and before my 1st race tomorrow even! 3000 miles aint much for a seasoned pro, or even a dedicated cyclist. But for me, thats a huge improvement over last year in which I pedaled 2428 miles for the entire calendar year of 2007. This IS Pack Fodder remember? I’m stoked, and I’m proud of myself. There’s no junk miles in there either, no adding up trips to the store or a mile here or there. That’s an honest 3000.  I’m confident I’ll make my 4000 mile year. It feels good to hit your goals, now if I can make my cross goals I’ll really be stoked!

This morning I did drills and runup repeats. My remounts are still not where I want them and I’m struggling to get rid of my stutter step. I did have some good power running up that hill and had plenty of gas to get back on the bike and go, something I struggled with last season.

It was great to see mom again out there pullin’ that runup, she’s going to have a ball racin’ cross.

Here’s a few pics of mom on the runup…

Myself, at the base. Then halfway up and at the top. I’ve definately worked on improving this weakness of mine over last year.

I’m running on my toes and not like Fred Flintstone, I like the runups and it would sure be great to open some gaps on my competition after a runup instead of having them opened on me!

Tomorrow is the big day, the start of the season. It’s not a cross race, but Krugers Dirt Crit will feel close to a cross racce and the 3 crits I plan to do will prep me for the intense effort I’ll face in cross. You just can’t simulate race pace in training.

I’m hoping for a great day tomorrow! BTW, I was @ RCB this afternoon checking out the new influx of tubbies for cross season and they had this custom pair of Challenge Grifo’s with a WHITE casing, Oh! those tiyas were dope!

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

It was wet today, rainin’ in August? Gets me all jacked for cross it does. I kept looking out the bay door at work: “Looks like cross weather to me” it’s getting hard to focus on work when the blog o’sphere is all abuzz with all things CX. Guys and Gals are dialing in their bikes, fitness, and fundamentals. Racers are jacked yo’.

There are two types of racers,

• Those who show up fresh off the couch and throw down,
• And those who fuss like hell over every damn little thing.

I ladies and germs, belong in the later. I’m a virtual stress case and I will be until the season is over. I stress over everything, and I do mean everything. My fitness, the bikes, tire pressure, my routine, my warmup, what to take to the races, when to recover, you name it, it’s on my mind. I know there are other racers out there like me, wasting precious mental energy on stuff I need not. Can’t help it, I don’t want to suck. I want to compete, as much as I’ve “got no goals, just smiles, sincerely” I still have that top 20 hanging over my head and I’d like to improve on the top 35% of the field that I averaged last year. Cross is like Crack yo’.

I watched mom the other morning while we were doing runup repeats and cross drills. She let out this guttural yelp as she was digging deep on the runup knowing I was on her heels and not wanting me to pass her. That is the basis for what she’s going to experiance in cross, “dig deep cuz your gonna get passed”.  Unless your the lead slead dog, the scenery never changes. Your gonna get passed. If my wife takes to cross I’ll be in trouble, two crack heads in the household is worse than one. Hard to say, she may take to it, she may not. Cross isn’t for everyone, the less than motivated just need not apply. Cross is hard, it’s physically hard and it’s mentally hard, you battle yourself, your competitors, the course, and the elements. Those of us who thrive on challenge come back for more, I can’t imagine racing cross and NOT coming back for more? So Go Figure…….

I’m trying to not stess, can’t decide what the next 3 days will be in my workout routine. I want to show up fresh for Sunday’s race, but have an important goal to hit beforehand, not to mention get drills practice in. I’m not smooth in my remount and I need to hit those runups with power to spare. Krugers dirt Crit isn’t terribly important to me, I just want the 45 min hard effort at race pace. I’d prefer to have a few races under my belt befor the Hood River opener.

In 4 days I’ll have the 1st race report of the season for you, the low down on how it went down. I’ll tell it like it is: if I suck you’ll know it, and if I do well I’ll pass that on as well. I hope to have some good race pics, but as I’m racin’ and not the one taking the pictures, I can’t promise on that. Stay tuned………..

Miles ridden today, 19

Miles ridden 2008, 2953

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

After writing this post, I thought that maybe it was a fluke, I was just having one of those rare days when you just feel “it”, whatever “it” is. I kinda dismissed it, thinking that I’m not really that strong most of the time. Well, it happened again. Even more impressive was the amount of Beer I drank the night before, followed by the tiny amount of sleep I got.

I told myself after riding all week to work that I’d hit it hard this weekend on the cross bike. Instead of taking the road bike out for long mileage, I’d do a shorter, more intense ride on the CX bike at Forest Park. I didn’t realize just how hard I was going to go, or how well I would respond.

Back in the day I used to ride my mtn bike a lot at Forest Park. Climbing those firelanes can give you a heck of a work out. Back in 2004 I had my best year, but even then, on a mtn bike, I struggled with climbing Springville. I remember all too well how steep and hard that climb is: I had no idea that I would climb it on my CX bike. I started out just hammering on the Leif, back and forth, up Saltzman, then hammer the Leif some more. On my last trip back to Germantown I had the idea to try to climb Springville. I’d just hit it hard, dismount, shoulder the bike and treat it like a long steep runup. I could use the conditioning right? But as I was out of the saddle, (for extended lengths as the pitch is mighty steep for cross gearing) I started to play that little game in my mind: “YOU CAN MAKE IT JIM” I started telling myself that I could do it, and to my amasement, I did. I was all lathered up, and sucking wind at the top but I climbed it, without dabing, on my cyclocross bike.

Now I’m sure that Tonkin could do it, or Trebon, or most, if not all, the guys racing in the Killer B’s. But hey, I was feeling pretty good about my 45 year old, Master C racin’ Keester getting up that bugger of a climb. And with authority no less! I killed it!

Further confirmation that that ride on the 26th was no fluke. Not to mention how strong I’ve felt on the Single Speed. Yes, I’m begining to beleive, that I’m on good form. I’m smelling blood, and the season is just around the corner. I’ve done just what I’ve set out to do, be on my best form come Oct. I’m gonna give’r that I can assure you, no matter my fitness. I’d just prefer to give’r in my best shape. It’s early August and I’m going to be even stronger in 2 months.

My morale is really good right now, I’m tasting some success and it’s bitter sweet givin all the work I’ve put in this year. In a few weeks I’ll hit my 3rd quarter goal a month early, that is going to feel really good! I’m hitting all my goals and I’m ahead of schedule, I can’t wait for Cross!

Miles ridden today, 27

Miles ridden 2008, 2724. 

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

I don’t know what today was; validation? reward? confirmation? I dunno, but today I rode well, very well. I’ve kept a ride log since May of 2003, and I’ve never posted an avg speed before like I did today, regardless of distance.

All of this years dedication and hard work is starting to pay off for me, not to mention the Single Speed. Even without a cyclocomputer, I know I’m noticeably faster than I was last year. I set out this morning knowing that cross season is approaching and I wanted to put myself into difficulty today. I rode hard, and frankly I was waiting to blow up. I even told Ken that if I fell off the back to go on without me. I was expecting to crack. It never happened. I beleive that I’ve put in enough miles that my base is strong enough to support repeated hard efforts. Ken commented to me that he’d never seen me so fast.

I’m feel pretty good today, I’m conviced that the SS has really helped me to spin. That is a large part of why I put in such a good workout today. I’m spinning a lot more and not just mashing all the time. It’s really showing up on the rollers as I’m not shifting down yet I’m maintaining my cadence. One ride does not make a season yo’, nor is it going to dictate the races. But it sure doesn’t hurt that I’m feeling strong, and my morale is high.

Miles ridden today, 35

Miles ridden 2008, 2599.

Cheers!  

Greetings Readers!

After taking a few days off the bike to recover I was back in the saddle today for a commute in to work. I can’t ride 7 days a week, after 6 straight days I took Sunday and yesterday off. It’s funny how you try to find the little things that keep your energy and focus on your training. For me buying the Single Speed has been a great distraction, it’s given me something to be excited about and I’ve really focused on my spinning. Today I was able to get up the climbs while spinning in the saddle, something I haven’t been able to do until today. I’ve always had to get out of the saddle to push only one gear. I must be getting stronger, despite my sleep deprivation I felt good on the bike today, I had good legs.

The key for me is too keep my focus, train hard and try to peak come October for cross season. It’s coming fast now, I’m under two months time till my 1st race. I’m really going to give’r this season. I’ve a few more pounds to lose, and I need to gain a little more strength and speed. I can’t wait!

As I was riding in this morning I saw this girl up ahead of me, (she was hawt) I’ve seen her a few times before but I’ve never talked to her.  So this morning I figured I pull along side and say hello. “morning” I said as I pulled along side, she pulled her ear plugs out and said “morning” back. She seemed friendly so I started in with the small talk “beautiful morning isn’t it”? “yes it is” she replied. “Do you have far to go” I asked, “Tualatin” she answered. “I’m going that way to, too Lake Oswego” I opened, “I work at the hospital” she said. The small talk continued and we rode side by side chatting, for about 3 miles. We came to a point where the road turns up and I explained I was going to have to lift the pace as I was riding SingleSpeed and needed to keep my cadence up. She said no problem and wished me a good ride in.

I rode in the rest of the way and thought about how cool it is to be on a bike. No way could you meet somebody outta the blue and drive along side them while having a conversation in a car. Nope, not happin’. She was really cool, super hawt, (I’m married, not dead) and with a 24 mile round trip to work quite the commuter. I thought about Speedy, and Aussie, and others I’ve met while on the bike. It’s just a different way of life, you see things differently on the bike. You meet the coolest people. She made my day and I hope to see her regularly and get her name. I’d like to add her to my other commuting pals Speedy, and Aussie.

I even felt good on the way home, which is unusual for me, I’m normally fatigued after a long day at the office. So I’m encouraged, better to be half full, than half empty. No?

Miles ridden today, 24

Miles ridden 2008, 2500

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

So today marks a milestone for me, it’s 7/18 and I’ve already ridden more miles in 2008 than I did in the entire calendar year of 2007. I’m like a ruffed grouse right now, chest all puffed out like I’m all that. You may look at my mileage and think “Hell, thats nuthin’” But let me tell ya, for my complicated life I’ve really put in the effort this year, pushing 2500 miles for mid July is a lot of miles for me. I managed a mere 2428 in all of last year. Thanks to my better half, she knows how important the bike and cross are to me and has given me the rope to ride. Thank you Mom.

It’s important to have goals, and even more important to make them. I’m feeling pretty good right now knowing I’ll make a 4000 mile year a reality. How I do in cross is anybody’s guess? I came into last year with little to zero fitness and had a decent year. This year, I’m moving up in class and I expect the competition to be better. I’ll keep pluggin’ away right up till that 1st race in Sept.  I can tell you this: that single speed is making me stronger. I’ve even noticed that the initial hills I was forced out of the saddle on are now conquered with my butt velcrowed to the saddle, spinning all the way. I’ve felt muscles in my hammys and glutes that I’ve not known in years…..

I viewed this video on youtube off of K’mans Blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRZOa_E9Qs8

Oh man, did it get my juices going, I’m flat out geeked out for cross. The crusades are all that, and there is NO WHERE I would rather be than at a cross race. Now, with my 1st race looming just 8 weeks from Sunday I’m starting to feel the pressure of getting the bikes ready, tubbies reglued, and my mind and body ready to party. For now I’ll revel in a little accomplishment knowing that I’ve blown the doors off last year. But that won’t last, in a few days I’ll be stessin’ about cross and fussing over all the little details that I hope will give me a great season.

For Tim, my pal and fellow cyclist who’s having surgery on Wednesday and will suffer through 2 long months off the bike and miss cross season: Timmy, keep the faith bro and I’ll be killin’ myself extra in the Crusades just for you pal.

Miles ridden today 20

Miles ridden 2008, 2444.

Cheers!

Greeting Readers!

I had a pretty good ride today, and despite feeling fairly wiped out yesterday I had good energy and power all day. I even tested out the knee on Blooming Fern road and it held up well. I didn’t get the miles in this weekend that I wanted too, the 4th is always busy with family and theres no sleeping with fireworks going off till the wee hours of the morning. I’m feeling good though and the knee is slowly getting better. I really wanted to hammer today but stayed with my group with the exception of where I split to climb Blooming Fern. Gawd I love the bike, I’d kill to have tomorrow off work so I could go out and let her rip. I’m encouraged people, that I’m on the right path to being ready for cross. (well at least for us slow dogs making up the field in the C’s) I don’t know if my goal of a top 20 is realistic in the Master C’s but I’ll be gunnin’ for it with all I’ve got. Cross is Cross, shit don’t go your way yo’. But you never know, it could happen.

So I’m in RCB yesterday, and although I love to go in there and check out all the cool stuff I found a noticable change for me. I wasn’t in there looking at bikes, fondling wheels, or any other stuff that us cyclist’s normally lust after. Nope, I was looking at messenger bags, full fenders, Chrome Messenger pants, racks and panniers, all the commuter must haves. I’ve got to be careful as the more I try to go by bike and my focus shifts to commuting, I don’t want the weekend to come around and be too tired from riding all week to do my recreation and training rides. Nor do I want to limit my long rides knowing I should rest up for a long week of commuting. This is going to be a fine line to walk. I sure as hell don’t want to burn out.

I’m loving The Tour, this is my favorite time of the year. I watch every stage, glued to the TV like my buddies ass is too the saddle on a long climb. The Tour is not just a sporting event, it’s a test of the human spirit. It’s not just whos good on any one day, but whos the strongest over a grueling 3 week timespan. I can’t even imagine, an average joe like myself riding the tour in 3 weeks. Nope, no way.

I’d sure like to have one of those fancy carbon stage race bikes though…..

Miles ridden today, 51

Miles ridden 2008, 2248.

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

Getting ready to close out June as we headed out for a ride this morning. I was feeling a little low as my best pal insomnia dropped by last night to hang out with me till about 4am. I think I slept 2 hours. Me and Insomnia are good buddies, he stops by all the time. Matter of fact: He’s the reason I’ll never be a great cyclist, I’ve not the ability to recover from workouts. ZZZZ’s are important yo’. Anyway, it was great to see “Skeletor” feeling good and wanting to work, he took several huge pulls and towed me and “Uncle Tim” for miles on end @ over 23mph. Ken was feeling good, It was all Tim and I could do to hang on and stay on Kens wheel. I love riding like that: Speed is exhillerating. We were in a tight train and movin’, don’t take long to cover some miles when your haulin’ like that. It’s just too bad I can’t keep that pace, I can for a little while, but sooner of later the reaper comes and I gotta tone it down or crack. All-n-all is was a great ride (they all are) and It wasn’t as hot as yesterday. My knee isn’t bothering me as bad today, even after a good ride, and I’ve made my 2nd quarter goal. Life is good.

Miles ridden today, 47

Miles ridden 2008, 2136.

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

Yesterday was a cheat day (day off the bike) and Mom, the Moneypit, and I parked the car and rode our bikes a whopping 4 mile round trip over to McMenamims for a burgler and a beer. Well, Mom and I had the beer. Anyway, we parked the bikes and sat outside while letting the weeks stress flow out of our bodies. Fortunately for us there was a Cold Stone Ice creamery located in the same parking lot. We walked our bikes over and had some Ice Cream. There would be no repeat of last Friday for me, 1 pint o’ porter and a chicken sandwhich was all I had, followed by some delicious ice cream.

The weather man was predicting 100 degrees today and he was right, 101 @ 5pm. Sheesh, can I get a little time to acclimate? Hell it rained thru most of Junuary. I headed out early @ 8am, thinking I’d just get my miles in and get back before it got too hot. Hell, it was already hot, I was sweating 5 mins into the ride. Lots of riders out this morning, everybody wanted to beat the heat. I rode for a few hours, then headed over to Starbucks for an Ice Venti Green Tea Lemonade. Ho’ man that was refreshing! I was home by 11am to avoid the afternoon heat. Tomorrow will be a duplicate of today, only I’ll have “Uncle Tim” and “Skeletor” with me. I’ll get my butt kicked, but that’s ok, it’s good to get your butt kicked now and then.

During the last post I mentioned I’ve been thinking of a cross SS, being that I’ve been bitten by the Single Speed bug. So I went trolling and found some cool SS crossers and feel compelled to share. There’s an Indy Fab, Speedvagen, Mike Desalvo, and a Steelman Eurocross. Can I have one?

Miles Ridden today, 37

Miles Ridden 2008, 2089.

Cheers!