Sunday, February 22, 2009
Well nutz
Going to have to wait a couple of weeks to get race #4 in. My scheduled race time is about 40 minutes from now and I'm sitting here typing instead of warming up in Centerville. It's been a weird week so I decided to bag the race. Unfortunately, I have to bag the first road race of the year which is next Saturday due to schedule conflicts. Along with the hives/rash/wtf's, I caught a cold. I've been stuffing my gob full of just about every drug in the house to try and ward it off but it didn't take. Being around too many people (which is never fun for me) and too many meals out in the public doomed me to illness. Not enough riding either as I missed two days this week.
Anyway, enough of that bullshit whining. The hives are on the decline and I'm about to spend a couple of hours on the trainer as soon as my coffee kicks in. I also just found out that there will be 21 people attending our team training camp in March! That should be a good time.
This week looks to be another long one with limited riding time. Hopefully, I'll feel good enough to spend what little riding time I have going hard with intervals.
Anyway, enough of that bullshit whining. The hives are on the decline and I'm about to spend a couple of hours on the trainer as soon as my coffee kicks in. I also just found out that there will be 21 people attending our team training camp in March! That should be a good time.
This week looks to be another long one with limited riding time. Hopefully, I'll feel good enough to spend what little riding time I have going hard with intervals.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Gear 2009
No pictures yet as I've no idea where my camera is right now, but I finally took delivery of my 2009 team kit. While Champion Systems gear isn't for looooong term use, for season by season gear you really can't beat it.
This year's haul included:
Casual Jacket
Cyclocross skinsuit
Speedsuit
short sleeve jersey
bibs
Probably the coolest (warmest) piece is the cross skinsuit. It's long sleeve and the whole thing minus the chamois is fleece. This will come in handy during the spring campaign.
The speedsuit, also long sleeve, is a new addition to CS's lineup. In various places it has a dimpled-esque material. No collar (the normal skinsuit has one) and no key pocket behind the neck. It's extremely light. We'll see if that along with everything else I've done translates into faster times this year.
The casual jacket is nice. It's not for riding as it's loose and has no back pockets. It will be nice for the pre race and post race fastivities (AKA standing in the registration line and hanging around the finish line)
All the gear is here, the bike is upgraded and finished, now all that's left is to ride it fast. Giddy up
This year's haul included:
Casual Jacket
Cyclocross skinsuit
Speedsuit
short sleeve jersey
bibs
Probably the coolest (warmest) piece is the cross skinsuit. It's long sleeve and the whole thing minus the chamois is fleece. This will come in handy during the spring campaign.
The speedsuit, also long sleeve, is a new addition to CS's lineup. In various places it has a dimpled-esque material. No collar (the normal skinsuit has one) and no key pocket behind the neck. It's extremely light. We'll see if that along with everything else I've done translates into faster times this year.
The casual jacket is nice. It's not for riding as it's loose and has no back pockets. It will be nice for the pre race and post race fastivities (AKA standing in the registration line and hanging around the finish line)
All the gear is here, the bike is upgraded and finished, now all that's left is to ride it fast. Giddy up
Monday, February 16, 2009
Seeing red
My body is rebelling against me for some reason. Around 10-15 percent of my body is covered in hives or some such shit. Luckily, other than being one itchy bastard, I feel fine. I reviewed my diet (in the loosest sense of the word) and have had nothing out of the ordinary since way before these hives started. For some reason I think it's stress.
I'm trying not to let it affect training, but when sweat hits a spot that I've stupidly scratched too much.....oy vey. This weekend is the last of the indoor time trials and we'll see how that goes. I'm now needing to ramp up my time on the bike because the season is about to begin. Depending on weather/schedule/itchyness I may do a road race on February 28th. If not, the season really begins with the mid March training camp - which I hope due to schedule that I can attend - and the spring series soon after.
As for the Tour of California, it was odd watching a Woman's circuit race instead yesterday.
I'm trying not to let it affect training, but when sweat hits a spot that I've stupidly scratched too much.....oy vey. This weekend is the last of the indoor time trials and we'll see how that goes. I'm now needing to ramp up my time on the bike because the season is about to begin. Depending on weather/schedule/itchyness I may do a road race on February 28th. If not, the season really begins with the mid March training camp - which I hope due to schedule that I can attend - and the spring series soon after.
As for the Tour of California, it was odd watching a Woman's circuit race instead yesterday.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ride the bike
Today was a nice day out - kind of. One of those days it was nice to be a group because I would probably have pussied out sooner than later. Three of us did last year's ramble route as I wanted to get some rollers in and get two hours in. Rudy road was the big suck bomb. That road hurts and with a strong head wind it hurts worse. Being in the next to last gear and doing about 12mph while pushing over 300 watts is not a fun feeling.
Now my bike has a case of the grimes and I need to get that fixed before tomorrow's (probable) indoor ride. I rode in the hurricane last year and I have no desire to repeat that business.
It's always cool to get out there with a group and just ride the bike. That's why I do it. It was also nice to hit those roads again. I had figured that last year would be my last time riding those roads due to the inevitable move. Well, that probably won't happen until summer or later, so I'll get some more chances to ride out there in the coming months. Group ride season can't get here too soon.
Now my bike has a case of the grimes and I need to get that fixed before tomorrow's (probable) indoor ride. I rode in the hurricane last year and I have no desire to repeat that business.
It's always cool to get out there with a group and just ride the bike. That's why I do it. It was also nice to hit those roads again. I had figured that last year would be my last time riding those roads due to the inevitable move. Well, that probably won't happen until summer or later, so I'll get some more chances to ride out there in the coming months. Group ride season can't get here too soon.
Monday, February 9, 2009
2-8-09 #3
Sunday was the third of four indoor time trials at Neo Limits, put on by Team Dayton. After the snafu of two weeks ago, I was curious to see how I would do. My flight consisted of only three people, Kyle Lyman, John Farris and me. This was going to hurt. Kyle looked effortless as it looked like he averaged 400 watts for the first half. I tried to remain within myself yet still push a little harder than usual. John was between us the whole time.
I'm not exactly sure about the other's times, but Kyle finished about a minute before I did and John shortly after. I ended up with my best time ever in the three years and nine races on this simulated course, with a time of 16:21. This beats my previous time from two week ago by 34 seconds and beats my previous overall best by around 10 seconds.
In the course of the event, I had a season high five minute and fifteen minute power outputs. My fifteen minute high already is tied with my high from all of 2007.
After I got home, it was too nice to not go out for another ride. On the verge of cramping from the time trial, I kept it easy for an hour and got in another seventeen-point-something miles. Today looks like another day that I can get on the road! Schedule and weather will permit this. Sweet.
I'm not exactly sure about the other's times, but Kyle finished about a minute before I did and John shortly after. I ended up with my best time ever in the three years and nine races on this simulated course, with a time of 16:21. This beats my previous time from two week ago by 34 seconds and beats my previous overall best by around 10 seconds.
In the course of the event, I had a season high five minute and fifteen minute power outputs. My fifteen minute high already is tied with my high from all of 2007.
After I got home, it was too nice to not go out for another ride. On the verge of cramping from the time trial, I kept it easy for an hour and got in another seventeen-point-something miles. Today looks like another day that I can get on the road! Schedule and weather will permit this. Sweet.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Has it really been that long?
I FINALLY put rubber to road today and took my Transition out for an hour (intervals, of course). When I got back home and filled out my spreadsheet I looked to see that not only was this my first road ride of the year, but the first time I've been on the road since November 23rd! Yikes.
In working the intervals, I had no real goal wattage as I just wanted to be out there testing the position in the real world (IE: not on the trainer!). Things went smooth.
Glad to be back out there.
In working the intervals, I had no real goal wattage as I just wanted to be out there testing the position in the real world (IE: not on the trainer!). Things went smooth.
Glad to be back out there.
2009 time trial schedule
It appears that the schedule is rounding out nicely. I've found a few more longer distance time trials to wind me up for Nationals and there are several shorter ones to keep me sharp. There are also several series going on for 2009. These are nice when you're comparing your power meter files to track your progress throughout the season.
QCW announced a 40k series, but it says it for "members" only. No member jokes please, but I'm going to find out if I can ride these. I also assume there will be the Speedy Feet Tuesday series. If I'm living near Dayton, I'll do that, if I'm down south I'll do the QCW 10 miler.
MARCH
14 QCW 40k
21 Colavita 20k
APRIL
11 QCW 40k
18 Colavita 20k
25 Cow (10 mile?)
MAY
Every Tuesday is QCW 10 miler
9 QCW 40k
10 Monrovia 40k
16 Colavita 20k
23 Cow TT
31 Koehlinger 40k Ft Wayne
JUNE
Every Tuesday is QCW 10 miler
7 Groveport 22.5 miles
13 Colavita 20k
21 Ohio State Championship (distance unknown)
27 Cow TT
Week of 28 - Master Nationals!
JULY
Every Tuesday QCW 10 miler
11 Colavita 20k
19 Indiana State Championship 40k
25-26 Pancake stage race (includes 11 mile ITT)
AUGUST
Every Tuesday QCW 10 miler
16 FIAC Nationals 20k
29 Cow TT
SEPTEMBER
Every Tuesday - you know the drill
19 Colavita 20k
OCTOBER
10 Colavita 20k
That's about 38-40 time trials. Now I have to figure out how to squeeze a dozen or more road races and crits in there.
QCW announced a 40k series, but it says it for "members" only. No member jokes please, but I'm going to find out if I can ride these. I also assume there will be the Speedy Feet Tuesday series. If I'm living near Dayton, I'll do that, if I'm down south I'll do the QCW 10 miler.
MARCH
14 QCW 40k
21 Colavita 20k
APRIL
11 QCW 40k
18 Colavita 20k
25 Cow (10 mile?)
MAY
Every Tuesday is QCW 10 miler
9 QCW 40k
10 Monrovia 40k
16 Colavita 20k
23 Cow TT
31 Koehlinger 40k Ft Wayne
JUNE
Every Tuesday is QCW 10 miler
7 Groveport 22.5 miles
13 Colavita 20k
21 Ohio State Championship (distance unknown)
27 Cow TT
Week of 28 - Master Nationals!
JULY
Every Tuesday QCW 10 miler
11 Colavita 20k
19 Indiana State Championship 40k
25-26 Pancake stage race (includes 11 mile ITT)
AUGUST
Every Tuesday QCW 10 miler
16 FIAC Nationals 20k
29 Cow TT
SEPTEMBER
Every Tuesday - you know the drill
19 Colavita 20k
OCTOBER
10 Colavita 20k
That's about 38-40 time trials. Now I have to figure out how to squeeze a dozen or more road races and crits in there.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Ride number 4
Today was my forth ride on the ISM Adamo saddle. Yesterday's ride wasn't so hot from a comfort standpoint, but I was pleased to find that I had no issue at all today. Today's workout was the hour long CTS video on time trialling (imagine that). The workout had 3~5 minute intervals and one 12 minute interval with rest in between. It's a hard workout, but then again, with video workouts you're on your own for exactly how hard you make it. There are about 7 weeks or so until my first TT of the year and I'm itchy to get the bike on the road. Shit, I'm itchy to get any bike on the road.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Take two
Talking points 1:
Two rides in on the ISM Gel saddle. It's much more comfortable than one would think. I spent most of the time during the two rides in the aero position to start getting used to the saddle AND the position.
Talking points 2:
My new wheel was ordered and should be here by Friday! I ended up with the Flashpoint FP-80 front clincher as my time trial wheel for 2009. This will complete the Transition upgrades until I decide that I need new bars or something... This also means the Hed Alps wheel can move to a permanent status on the Orca.
Talking points 3:
[yuck] It's that time of year to drop the 15 pounds because I love to freakin' eat. I meant to not gain that much in the off season. Oops, but then again, I've said that the past three years.
Talking points 4:
This is the third straight year of completely changing my winter workouts. Will this one be 'the one'?
Stay tuned.
/hungry
Two rides in on the ISM Gel saddle. It's much more comfortable than one would think. I spent most of the time during the two rides in the aero position to start getting used to the saddle AND the position.
Talking points 2:
My new wheel was ordered and should be here by Friday! I ended up with the Flashpoint FP-80 front clincher as my time trial wheel for 2009. This will complete the Transition upgrades until I decide that I need new bars or something... This also means the Hed Alps wheel can move to a permanent status on the Orca.
Talking points 3:
[yuck] It's that time of year to drop the 15 pounds because I love to freakin' eat. I meant to not gain that much in the off season. Oops, but then again, I've said that the past three years.
Talking points 4:
This is the third straight year of completely changing my winter workouts. Will this one be 'the one'?
Stay tuned.
/hungry
Monday, February 2, 2009
Good news bad news
Good news - I got my bike back from Wheelie fun
Bad news - time for another run of four minute intervals!
Good news - I got sunburn over the weekend
Bad news - I'm back in Ohio now
Good news - I'm excited to test out my new fit and saddle
Bad news - I need a nap as I didn't get much sleep last night
Good news - this post is over!
Bad news - I'm going to report back later on my ride (probably)
Bad news - time for another run of four minute intervals!
Good news - I got sunburn over the weekend
Bad news - I'm back in Ohio now
Good news - I'm excited to test out my new fit and saddle
Bad news - I need a nap as I didn't get much sleep last night
Good news - this post is over!
Bad news - I'm going to report back later on my ride (probably)
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