Change of scenery

I received word a couple of days ago that our team was disbanding. It really wasn't a shock as I had heard rumors for a while now. For the thousands of readers of this blog, I won't go into details, but the end result is that I am team less. Actually, I had been debating not being on a team for the past several months. Since I've only done two 'road' races in the past two years to go along with my 70 time trials in the same time frame, having team mates did not help.

Anyway, I'll miss the team but I'll see the riders again (if any of them choose to do a time trial!).

So the option are:
1. Join another team
2. Do my own thing

The only team I would entertain joining at this point would be QCW, but there are things I wouldn't like about that. Again, it wouldn't help me from a racing standpoint and the only thing that would be a positive is that I could race Pur Tour and Ault Park for free. Of course, I haven't done Ault Park since I was a hotshot cat 5 who was wrecking every other week back in 2005 and I don't know that I will be able to do it in 2011.

So it looks like I am on my own. I bought a ProBikeKit skin suit and a jersey with the flag of Scotland on it so it appears I am racing for team UK. Or team Bryan if you prefer.

Now all I have to do is ride the bike. It looks like next year is going to be not so great due to schedule. I have penciled in all of the Tuesday QCW/Cleves time trial and that is it so far. This will be the first year I won't do all of the Colavita time trials. I love them, but they are just too far away for me.

Training part 3

More lifting. Been at the gym roughly 2x per week for the past five weeks. Mostly upper body but I do like the leg press. Gradually I'm getting stronger. I'm going to up the gym work to at least 3 days per week and split the work outs up instead of doing everything twice a week. This way, I won't be so tired by the end of each workout.

As far as riding the trainer goes, I've missed four days in the past 28. Riding has been nothing but going as hard as I can for 45 minutes - kind of like my races. My wattage has had a gradual increase as my overall strength is getting better. Cadence has been intentionally low as part of the new plan. Haven't done many intervals as I'm just concentrating on high overall wattage at the end of the workout.

Training part 2

Yesterday marked the first day of official "gym" work. Having received a free one month pass to a local gym, I use that opportunity to test it out and see how many times I can actually go over there and workout, then possibly get a membership. For the last month I have been lifting in the basement but there is only so much I can do with what I have. The chest, arms, abs (yuck) and legs all got a beat down before finishing with 20 minutes on the elliptical thingy.

I've decided that having twigs for arms is no way to go through life so I am lifting heavy. It should effectively kill any desire for road racing, because I won't be able to get up the climbs any easier, but that's fine. It won't affect time trialling and it may actually help as long as the time trial is not hilly. It should even help on the rolling Cleves TT which I am guessing that I'll be riding at least as many times in 2011 as I did in 2010.

As far as the bike goes, the TT bike is still on lockdown and I'm chugging through 45 minutes at a time at a minimum of tempo if not a harder level. That will continue for a while.

Training

Dungeon (basement really but close as one can get without bolting chains to the wall)

Time trial bike locked into position

5 minutes to warm up

10 minutes as hard as I can

1 minute to recuperate back to 'living' status

5 minutes as hard as I can

2 minutes to resuscitate myself

2 minutes all out

5 minutes of "thank god that's over"

Then I lift weights

Welcome to the 'off season' knucklehead.

Season finale Colavita Greenville #39

Great weather lead to a really good turnout even though it's late in the season. The highest number I saw was 104. I was 7th to go off and had a decent 30 minute warm up in the parking lot. I overheard someone saying there was a headwind going out. Looking at the top of the trees I considered him a knucklehead who didn't know what he was talking about. Dead still.

Off I went. Into a headwind. Knucklehead was right. It was a painful little headwind that kept my speed around 22. Dismal. Since the series was all over this season, it was only the 2nd time this year on this course and I forgot everything I used to know. It made it harder! Got to the turnaround and got my tailwind...wheee. Of course, in a tailwind it's harder to think about your power output because you are already going fast. So I tried to focus on that instead of speed as best I could. Not sure what my exact time was, but it wasn't good, my speed wasn't good (24.0) and my power sucked. Trifecta! No better time to have the season end than right now. I need a break.

I was 4th in my division as a result and ended up 2nd in the season series. The championship medals are cool.

The crew that puts on this time trial series does a great job and you can tell that they care about what they are doing.

Brings me to the point of racing in general. It's a shame that more organizations don't put forth as much effort as these people do to put on events. I guess this series has spoiled me. It's not about door prizes, free drinks, free yogurt, bag of stuff at registration, medals/prizes for winners, etc, etc. It's combination of all the above along with the fact that they have openly listened to what the racers have to say and made changes to their events as a result.

1. Different courses? Done. It could have been incredibly easy to keep the race in Greenville every month. I still would have went and so would have several others, but changing the venue brought new people to racing. At Bellbrook, I parked next to a guy who have never done a race before and only did this one because it was on his home roads. Maybe he'll do another race as a result? Regardless, he had fun and along with a few others that day he was recognized by Roger and applauded by the group for being a 'first timer'. He won a door prize too.

2. Choose your own time slot? This feature made me better able to plan my drive so on a personal note it helped. I had a couple of long drives to plan around this season.

Those are just two things that stuck out in my mind.

I applaud what Roger is doing for the betterment of the sport. I also want to make mention of David Riemenschneider (Big Dave Sports) for taking the ball and running with the sport of road bike racing which many people around here think is dying. For the most part (at least as far as I know) promoting races is an almost thankless job where participants would rather bitch about everything and then do absolutely nothing to attempt to fix whatever it is they are bitching about.

Anyway, that's enough rambling for now. Stay tuned to this blog for exciting posts about winter trainer rides. Today, the time trial bike goes into the basement where it will be in lock down mode on the trainer until March.

There was a race today...

...and I wasn't in it. You know what, that's okay. After three treatments so far, my back is feeling a little better. One more to go then it's off to a chiropractor for different kinds of treatment. It seems that my pelvis is misaligned, mostly due to the fact that I've sat in front of a computer drawing things for xx hours a day for the last 20 years. I sit a certain way when I draw and that's got my body all fubar'd.

Anyway, today's race was a cross race. Can't do cross right now. I can barely ride my full suspension mountain bike. So I didn't go. I would like to go to the race tomorrow to watch the pros do their thing and cheer on some people.

One more race this Sunday and then I am shutting it down and spending the rest of my time trying to enjoy riding a bike again.

Race #38 Cleves

This was the final Cleves time trial for 2010. Out of the 22 weeks, I rode 17 times. For 10.25 miles, the difference between my fastest and slowest race was 1 minute 19 seconds which is right about 1 mile per hour. Wattage was more variable between 239 and 270. Later, I'll have to figure out averages for both wattage and time and aim for that to be bare minimums for 2011. I think this means lots of 25 minute intervals at at least 255 watts on the trainer over the winter. But I'm ahead of myself...

The race:
The warm up went pretty decent. The temperature was great but dropping fast. By the actual start time, my warm up wore off and I was getting cold. For the first couple of miles it was hard to get up to speed. Half way through I got into my groove but by then my speed was about 23.something. Ended up with my average at 24.0. Finished 8th out of 39 I think.

Next up is the season finale on October 10th in Greenville.

Week 22 24.2 average @ 252 watts = 25:45 (official)
Week 20 24.7 average @ 264 watts = 24:56 (25:01 official)
Week 18 24.4 average @ 264 watts = 25:26 (official)
Week 16 24.4 average @ 259 watts = 25:25 (official)
Week 15 24.0 average @ 239 watts = 26:01 (official)
Week 14 24.4 average @ 262 watts = 25:13 (official)
Weak 13 24.2 average @ 249 watts = 25:53 (official)
Week 12 24.7 average @ 265 watts=24:58 (25:00 official)
Week 11 24.4 average @ 270 watts = 25:13
Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Race #37 Cleves

190th race since 2005.

The weather was absolutely perfect and led to a good third of the field getting personal best times. Not my case though but it was my third fastest time this year in 16 attempts. From the get-go on the warm up I did not have that heavy feeling in my legs. My guess is that is heat related since I spend most of the day in air conditioning then when I go outside to race it feels much more hot than if I spent the day outside. I guess.

Earlier in the day, we had a laser therapy sales rep in the office. I had him do a five minute treatment on my right knee (the bad one) just so I could get a subjective opinion on the thing. I had been having some pain there recently so it was cool to check it out. During the warmup and race there was absolutely no pain. That was cool.

Anyway, I felt pretty good on the bike overall and had a decent power output and time. Nothing real exciting to report about the race. I did get passed by someone around the 8 mile mark and after he had a good enough gap to not be drafting, I tried to pace him back to the finish. That helped out my time quite a bit.

Two more weeks of this race then it's over until next year.

Week 20 24.7 average @ 264 watts = 24:56 (25:01 official)
Week 18 24.4 average @ 264 watts = 25:26 (official)
Week 16 24.4 average @ 259 watts = 25:25 (official)
Week 15 24.0 average @ 239 watts = 26:01 (official)
Week 14 24.4 average @ 262 watts = 25:13 (official)
Weak 13 24.2 average @ 249 watts = 25:53 (official)
Week 12 24.7 average @ 265 watts=24:58 (25:00 official)
Week 11 24.4 average @ 270 watts = 25:13
Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Race #36 Colavita Centerville Indiana 20k

Sunday was a time trial at a new course for the series. A 20k out and back over mostly flat rural roads. My kind of race course! My start time was 9:07 so per usual I was up and out early with a 1.5 hour drive ahead of me. After too much loitering around I took about 20 minutes to warm up on the trainer then headed to the start house for the pregame meeting and finished warming up around the finish line.

The race started with an immediate left then right turn before settling into things. Legs felt as good as they have all year and my average was 25 at the turn. After turning, I realized there was a slight tail wind going out! It was just enough to hold my speed down by 1 mph. I finished with a 24.5 average good enough for 7th out of 12 in the 40-49 division. A couple of Zipp Factory riders took first and second in our group. They don't usually race in Ohio so we don't see them very often.

As a door prize I won a Spinervals DVD which will certainly get used over the winter.

The long drive home gave me ample opportunity to internally debate what lies ahead.

Number 1 - Due to my back problems, I am not doing any more cyclocross stuff this year. I end up in too much pain the next day to justify the riding. It’s over and above what’s now the ‘normal’ back pain I am having. As opposed to buying any more cycling gear I am going to be spending money to fix my back. It’s going to be a long process, so I guess it’s good that the season is almost over (for me). The back won’t be fixed overnight.

Number 2 – With the long drive and bad results it’s making me really debate doing the series next year. In the four years that the series has been around I think I have missed two races, one when I was in Peru and the other was when I was in Scotland, both acceptable reasons for no showing! Until I get the other health situation straightened out it makes no sense to make the long drives to Celina/St Marys/Portland In., etc. Over the winter, I intend to train very hard, among other things to get myself back to health to a standard acceptable. Before all this crap started, I was approaching 27.5 mph average (even hitting 28.0 once) in my 5 mile training trials and was nearing the 26.0 barrier in actual races. I’ve hit the 25mph twice this year with an even slicker position than ever. Wattage went from high 200’s (I hit 313 average for a short tt) down to the 250-260 mark.

I love the series and the effort that is put out by Roger and Christina (and everyone else), but a four hour round trip drive to ride 24 mph is stupid and depressing.

Number 3 – I’ve racing four more times this year. I’m finishing out the Cleves and Colavita series. Three more races at Cleves and one race in Greenville for the Colavita series. Luckily, my back doesn’t hurt during time trials.

Next up: Tomorrow at Cleves!

#35 Kings CXTT

Last race of the series. Running start again so that meant I had to jump on the bike 9 times (and off of it 8 times). Can't ride through the sand traps yet so I had to jump off and run through them. Plus I had to jump off on the little section in the woods, jump the little log, run the sand and run up the hill. Twice.

My back was completely destroyed after 1.5 laps but kept riding gingerly for the last half lap. I think I need shocks on my cross bike or something. Ouch. My ability to generate power was drastically cut from my back being out.

I placed 8th overall in the series. For some reason last week's score for me wasn't calculated so it has me at 10th overall or something officially but there's no money in it and it was for fun so no big deal.

Next up: Colavita Centerville Indiana Sunday.

Race #34, etc

Last Thursday was the Kings Cross time trial. Lots has happened since.

1. I can't do the kings cross races. I previously committed to something else about 6 months ago and just realized it.
2. I raced the time trial and did okay. 12th out of 17. The woman on the single speed passed me again! She gave me a 'good job' and all I could retort with was some sort of grunt.
3. Rode the MTB Saturday on 6 miles of single track at Mitchell Memorial. Got home and took the cross bike to Kingswood for some solo practice.
4. Wrecked hard within 10 minutes, beating my shoulder and head to the hard ground. No cracked helmet but it gave me a head ache for all of Sunday. Shoulder is still bothering me. Bike is fine.
5. Skipped out on the Cleves time trial last night since I was working in Dayton. As is the new norm, I took my Orbea with me and did some road riding on the old school roads late in the evening. Windy every direction - there's no place like home.
6. Last cross time trial is tomorrow. I should be able to make it.

Race #33 Cleves TT

Unfortunately, the illness still lingers and the unrelated meds are making me sluggish (and incredibly hungry which sucks big time). I was hoping that would not be the case. Anyway, it was another hot Tuesday and I was met with fresh pavement on the finishing climb (as I reversed the course per usual).

During the warm up I kept checking to see if my brakes were rubbing at the top of every little roller. Rats! They weren't, but I checked about 15 times anyway. And checked again after the warm up and checked once more at the start line.

The goal was to try and maintain 25.0 mph. Oops I think I maxed out at 24.9 before settling into 23.9 toward the flat run up to the finish (last 2.5-3 miles). Ended up at 24.4 for the night.

Week 18 24.4 average @ 264 watts = 25:26 (official)
Week 16 24.4 average @ 259 watts = 25:25 (official)
Week 15 24.0 average @ 239 watts = 26:01 (official)
Week 14 24.4 average @ 262 watts = 25:13 (official)
Weak 13 24.2 average @ 249 watts = 25:53 (official)
Week 12 24.7 average @ 265 watts=24:58 (25:00 official)
Week 11 24.4 average @ 270 watts = 25:13
Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Next race tomorrow - Kings CXTT.

Speed post

Race #32 Colavita Portland. 3rd place in the 40-49 group. Bad bad bad power, okay speed for the lack of power.

No time trial tonight as I worked in Dayton. At least I took my bike with me and got 1.5 hours in on my old flat windy roads of Butler Township!

No race Thursday either. Next race is next Tuesday.

Byeeeeeeeee..............

Race #31 Kings CXTT

Short and sweet. 17 riders, 12th place. Saw another single speed racing as she zoomed past me. Course was much more technical this week. Well, it wasn't actually technical before. My back wheel went out on me a few times, mostly because of the off-camber stuff. Opted to run through the sand pit than to even attempt to ride through it.

Next up, 20 mile Colavita time trial in Indiana on Sunday.

Race #30 Cleves TT

Still sick, had no lungs so I opted for a slower cadence. My new cassette really helped. I now have a 13-23, replacing the 12-27 resulting in a tighter group. 13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,23 I think.

Next up is replacing the Giro. Yuck.

Week 16 24.4 average @ 259 watts = 25:25 (official)
Week 15 24.0 average @ 239 watts = 26:01 (official)
Week 14 24.4 average @ 262 watts = 25:13 (official)
Weak 13 24.2 average @ 249 watts = 25:53 (official)
Week 12 24.7 average @ 265 watts=24:58 (25:00 official)
Week 11 24.4 average @ 270 watts = 25:13
Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Races #28 and #29

I forgot to write up about the Cleves time trial on Tuesday so this post is a 2-for-1!

I've been sick all week but that didn't stop me from racing two out of the last three days. Yes it was quite stupid and now I'm probably not going to ride until 'whenever'. Maybe next Tuesday.

Cleves was bad and I couldn't generate any power whatsoever. Worst time of the year and naturally the worst wattage.

Week 15 24.0 average @ 239 watts = 26:01 (official)
Week 14 24.4 average @ 262 watts = 25:13 (official)
Weak 13 24.2 average @ 249 watts = 25:53 (official)
Week 12 24.7 average @ 265 watts=24:58 (25:00 official)
Week 11 24.4 average @ 270 watts = 25:13
Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Thursday I did the Kings Cross time trial. As said earlier, I upgraded to the two lap intermediate division. Still feeling sick I gave it a go anyway. Lap one went fine but halfway through lap two my back locked up. I've been having back issues for a long while now and it really affected me. Due to the layout of the course, I could have easily quit twice on the last lap, but gutted it out and finished 13th out of 16 riders. Out of 42 total riders, I was the only person with a single speed. It was still fun, but my back was killing me when it all was said and done.

Now it's time to get back to health and get over this cold or whatever it is. Yuck!

Rest of the year

Tentative schedule with anticipated race number for the year (because I can't add)

8-10 cleves #28
8-11 Blue streak - MAYBE
8-12 kings CX #29
8-17 Cleves #30
8-19 kings cx #31
8-22 Colavita Richmond (racing twice) #32 #33
8-24 cleves #34
8-31 cleves #35
9-2 kings cx #36
9-7 cleves #37
9-8 blue streak - MAYBE
9-9 kings CX #38
9-12 Colavita portland In (racing twice) #39 #40
9-14 cleves #41
9-18 kings cross (at least doing the single speed division) #42
9-19 kings cross (same as above) #43
9-21 cleves #44
9-28 cleves #45
10-10 Colavita greenville (racing twice) #46 #47
10-13 blue streak (maybe)

Not sure how many cross races I will do, but I will at least do the first of the OVCX series because of the single speed category. Anything else will be 35+ cat 4 group.

Rumor has it there are going to be some winter cross races down here. If that becomes fact, I'll try to get there...

Race #27 PUR Tour

The last road/crit/circuit race I did was in fact the PUR Tour of 2009 over a year ago. I've done one group ride since then that I can remember and that was in February.

22 old farts started the 40+ race. Three guys from Huntington and a smattering of other teams. Huntington played it smart and kept sending out one guy at a time. He was caught and another went, etc. I found myself on the front chasing for a lap and died on the hill. Popped off with 1.5 laps to go. Finished by myself in 22nd place. Huntington took 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. It was necessary for me to maintain about 420 watts up the hill each time (I forget how long each climb was in seconds). I couldn't keep that up the 2nd to last time, that's why I popped.

Results

This week - Cleves TT, Blue Streak (maybe) and Kings CXTT

Race #26 Kings CXTT

Oops.

Not having ever done a cross race, I opted for the one lap beginner category. Then I noticed there were a bunch of kids and no kids category.

At least I was on a single speed cross bike. That's my excuse for the 2nd place finish.

The course was awesome, up and back three times along an old, no longer open golf course. 4 miles total. Luckily, there were only a few bumps on the edges of the old fairways that resembled hills. Overall, it was hard with the single speed, but I managed a good time for my one lap. But I did get beat. By a 12 year old. Oh well, looking at his results he has been in many more cross races than me and had gears. So there!

Next week (it's a six week series) I will ride the intermediate, two lap race where if I took my single lap time and doubled it would put me toward the bottom end of the field. But that's cool, there's no money in it and it's really fun.

Next race, the PUR Tour tomorrow.

Race #25 Cleves TT

Another incredibly hot Tuesday. Drank two huge glasses of water before leaving, one bottle on the drive and one bottle after my warm up. I think I still lost weight as I was still sweating 30 minutes after the race. Anyway, the race went well but I think I started off too hot as I was 25.5 average after two miles. I tried to hold that but I ended short. The last three miles were incredibly hard as it was one of those days you almost (almost) wished for a flat tire.

The wattage was pretty decent all things considered but my time was not great for whatever reason. Since the LG helmet died, I've been using my old Giro and I hate it. Zero air flow. I'm guessing I would have been faster wearing a cooler but less aero helmet.

Next race tomorrow! Cyclocross time trial?!


Week 14 24.4 average @ 262 watts = 25:13 (official)
Weak 13 24.2 average @ 249 watts = 25:53 (official)
Week 12 24.7 average @ 265 watts=24:58 (25:00 official)
Week 11 24.4 average @ 270 watts = 25:13
Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Race #24 Cleves TT

Worst time this year. Really lethargic.

The good news is after a full blood work up last week, we have found what is going wrong and on Friday we're going to start working toward correcting it.

Weak 13 24.2 average @ 249 watts = 25:53 (official)
Week 12 24.7 average @ 265 watts=24:58 (25:00 official)
Week 11 24.4 average @ 270 watts = 25:13
Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Race #23 Cleves TT

Up until I actually got on my bike for the warm up, I felt like bagging it. The storm rolled though and finally let up at 6:10 (where I usually start the warm up at 6:00) so I reversed the course per usual.

I was surprised that so many riders showed up as there were 50 overall. I figured the weather would keep everyone away. Anyway, I started 33rd and right in front of a guy who has passed me before. The start was good and maybe I put too much effort right at the get-go because my speed was a little high for the first 1.5 miles. Through the rollers and the speed dropped to normal levels. Still, I was giving it about all I had. The 34th rider passed me but I passed him back on a down grade section (where I go pretty fast due to weight and aero) only to have him pass me again when the road went back up.

Finished with a time of 24:58 according to my powertap at a wattage of 265. Official time was 25:00. That was my third fastest time on a day when conditions weren't so hot.

Next race is Cleves again. No races that I can find this weekend and next weekend, I'm out of town.

I did decide to do one criterium and possibly one road race. August 7th is PUR Tour and I love that race so I'm doing the 40+ event. If training goes well, I've penciled in the State Masters road race on August 28th. I need to work on some endurance for that to happen as it's 50 miles and I don't think I've ridden that far yet this year (sad). Cyclocross time trials start August 5th. That should be a hoot.


Week 12 24.7 average @ 265 watts=24:58 (25:00 official)
Week 11 24.4 average @ 270 watts = 25:13
Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Race #22 Cleves time trial

Due to the potential of bad weather and high high humidity, I think it kept a lot of riders away. Last week there were 70 riders, this week; 25. The warm up lap was soggy, both in road conditions and sweat coming from my head.

I started 25th out of 25 and power was pretty good from the get-go. The speed wasn't there the whole race, but power stayed good. I guess the weather and/or road condition was causing the slower speed. I don't know. I was consistently in the high 200's but was averaging mid 24's.

By the finish, I was at 25:13 (powertap) with 270 watts. Checking my data there were no dropouts so unless the humidity (which was high, high) fubar'ed my computer, the wattage was legit. I was toast when I was done. I think some people were talking to me right when I stopped by my car, but all I heard was mumbling. Often, 5-15 minutes after a time trial, I think to myself that I could have went harder. Not this time as I put everything I had into it.

Week 11 24.4 average @ 270 watts = 25:13
Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Not doing Blue Streak tonight as my back is acting up. Haven't made that race yet this year.

Race #20 & 21 Colavita St Marys

Course: Out and back, north then south. Gradually downhill-ish out, so uphill-ish back. 13.something miles.
Weather: Slight breeze from south gradually getting stronger (as you'll see).

My first start time was 9:10 for my age group ride. By the turn around I was at 26.7 average at 251 watts. Turn around and BOOM I realize there is a wind from the south. Ouch.

First race over at 33:13, 24.1mph, 244 watts

25 minutes to change clothes and get back to the start house for 10:11 take off in the cat 4/5 race.

26.7 average again at the turn around, but this time the watts were at 229...uh oh, the wind picked up.

Second race over at 33:55, 23.5 mph, 234 watts.

The whole day was rough because I only got 2 hours of sleep (over the course of seven hours) Saturday night for some reason. Then racing twice and a long drive home.

I finished 6th in the 40-49 and 11th in the cat 4/5. Overall, I was 21st and 33rd out of 106 male riders.

Next race Tuesday. Then Wednesday if I feel like driving to Wright Patt.

Race #19 Cleves TT

Hot hot hot. 10 seconds slower than last week but I'm pretty happy with it.

Next race, Colavita St Mary's on Sunday where I'm racing the 13 mile course twice.

Week 10 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:52
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Race #18 Speedy Feet Casstown

Temperature was perfect. Not hot, not cold.
Wind was from the north east I thought until hitting the west section. Then it felt north west.

I took a warm up loop to test out the new aerobar rotation (more in to better overlap my hands). Going up 55 was going to be a struggle but down 201 was going to be fast. Lafevre was going to be okay with a little headwind it felt and Hufford was going to suck. Riding though town is always a crapshoot due to traffic potential.

5.4.3.2.1.go. Top 5 second power, top 20 second power, top one minute power, you get the picture. Route 55 came and went easier than the warm up loop passing two or three people. 201 flew by at about 30 mph. Lefevre seemed better than the warm up and I passed a couple more riders. Hit Hufford and BOOM! Combining the slight head wind, the slight incline and the crap road made it tough as usual. Cruise into town with no traffic issues and through the finish.

I ended up about 10-13 seconds slower than last month with an average around 24.8 (powertap measured) and a wattage of 249. It was hard to focus on Hufford and hard to hold a high wattage on 201 because of the speed.

Ended up 5th place on the night out of 35.

After the time trial Jeff, the promoter, wanted to have a mass start, draft legal time trial around the loop. I actually debated this for a few minutes but chickened out. Most of the riders were triathlete type and not road riders who time trial. Not exactly keen on riding near a bunch of people on aerobars. I'm not exactly the best rider on my tt bike as it is, as my 808's push me around a bit.

Next race isn't until next Tuesday (nothing on the board for the holiday weekend).

Race #17 Cleves

The weather was quite perfect for the race, but I was having difficulties on the warm up getting whatever was in my legs out. Riding the course in reverse, every roller felt like my brakes were rubbing. Totally lethargic. When they called out the starting order, once again Dan was behind me by a minute so my goal was to not have him pass me. Hard goal.

The first half rolled along and my average hovered around 25.3. I knew I had to keep pushing because the ending hill knocks that average down a heap. My other goal for the last few weeks has been to break 25 minutes. Both goals accomplished as I finished in 24:42 and Dan didn't pass me. That was hard but satisfying.

Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Race #16 Cleves 10 miler

Back to Cleves after two weeks off due to work and weather. Weather was nice and hot and humid.

It was weird during the race that I felt like I was going really really fast but my powertap wasn't agreeing with me. Must have been the weather conditions. Anyway, I ended up with an okay time considering I just did a (bad) 40k two days ago.

Gear difference: Wore a standard jersey and bibs.

Next race won't be until next Tuesday. There are a bunch of crits this weekend but no time trials that I'm aware of.

Week 8 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Race #15 Colavita Celina

40k around Lake St Mary's. Pretty much assured a flat course.

Registration took 5 seconds. Of course I was preregistered and I got there early, but whatever! It's nice to not have to stand in line.

Not really much to say about my race as it was as expected both speed and (low) power. I did have three separate incidents that lost a minute twenty by my power tap calculations.

Right from the get-go, turning on to the major road it was AWESOME to have all the cones giving us a lane. I can't say how awesome that is that we were allowed to have a dedicated lane. However, I passed a street crew worker at an intersection and knew I had to turn right soon. I kept going as I was still inside the coned lane. Then the cones tapered to the edge of the road and I thought I did in fact missed the turn. Stopped, turned, passed the intersection and saw that it dead ended into the lake. Oops. Turned around again and went on my way.

The only two other incidents were traffic related at stop signs as both times I was behind two cars at a complete stop. There was quite a bit of traffic out there and the cops can only do so much with the cars.

That discouraged me a little, but still the race was still great even though I was 6th out of 9. They put on a great race as usual and it was nice that the race was staged where there was a permanent tent set up as it was sunny and hot.

I guess the only thing I could wish for was that this race was held in a different time of year to potentially avoid some traffic. I don't know if all the traffic was normal, normal for this time of year, or abnormal because it was so nice out. Will do this race next year if they have it.

222 watts, 24.1mph, 1:01:30(or there about).

Race #14 State TT

Power failure.

That about sums it up.

3rd place out of 3 in my group. Worst time ever. Rough wind conditions.

In 2006 my average was 23.9
In 2007 my average was 24.19 (time of 58:31)
In 2008 my average was 24.53 (time of 57:57)
2009 57:13
2010 1:00:13

Race #13 Strawberry festival TT

As soon as I hit the parking lot rain and thunder rolled in and I thought I wasted a long drive. Luckily, it cleared up. Unluckily, it blew my warm up. As opposed to riding the entire course, I took a couple mile stroll out and back.

There is no holder (A thing I am now quite used to), but I was able to clip in fast and off I went. Like Tuesday, there was a fast rider behind me so I went out with the intention of not getting passed (he didn't pass me). I passed my one minute rider around mile two and passed two more people around mile three and one more around mile seven. The roads ran smooth until Hufford. I slowed way down to get on Hufford as the roads were wet and the TT bike isn't the best handling thing in the world. Hufford road rides like a rock, which sucks because all of the other roads ride great. Anyway, a truck passed me heading into Casstown, and as NO luck would have it, he wanted to turn right. I had to almost stop completely to turn. Then, he wanted to turn right onto rt 55, the same direction I was going. Again, a near complete stop. I got my 20 second max power right there to get back up to speed to the finish.

By my powertap, I finished at 24:05 with a speed of 25.1. Official results as usual vary, but that's fine. Results came out with me finishing 6th but no time for Vince, who I know was faster. So 7th it is, which is cool. This was my fastest time trial (via average speed) this year so far which I am happy about. Power was at 256 and that is pretty consistent with what I am doing right now. Picked up 25 seconds on the same race last month.

The only equipment change was that I rode without a water bottle.

Race #12 Cleves TT

Another Tuesday, another 10 mile time trial. Very hot and humid so it was easy to stay warm. I rode the course backward as usual and then rode a little extra. Legs felt really poor warming up and had one of those days where I could have sworn my brakes were rubbing. That's why I rode the extra bit to get that shit out of my system.

41 riders started and I started 30. 30 seconds later was Dan Waite so that put a nice fear of God into me to not have him pass me very early. Right at the start I actually felt pretty good. The rolling section got rough on the uphills, but I picked up time on the downhills (no coasting!). Dan passed me around mile 8. I passed him back as I think his fixie ran out of gear, then he passed me back once more right before the end hill. I couldn't catch up.

End time, both via my powertap and the official time were personal bests, but I still haven't broken 25:00. I wore jersey and bibs as I forgot to wash my skinsuit yesterday and will be wearing it two more times this week anyway. That was probably my one second right there, but there is always next week.

I put out the same wattage as last week, but was faster. I concentrated more on the head duck thing and I'm going to assume the heat had something to so with the speed as well.

Week 5 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47

Race #11 Colavita Bellbrook

Saturday was my first ever attempt at this course that includes a short uphill section and a short fast downhill with a bunch of flats in between. After getting some beta about the course, I kept all the same TT gear and didn't change anything. I got there early enough (no kidding) to pre-ride the course and that as usual helped. I've been on those roads before, just not that exact direction. The hill was not as bad as I remember, due to where I'm living and having to deal with now.

140+/- riders on the day made for a long morning with me starting 31st. My race went about as anticipated. Don't blow up on the hill and punch it as best as I could home.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of fast 40+ guys out there. I ended up 8th out of 12 with a wattage of 252 and a speed around 23.7. Got up to 45.5mph on the downhill section and had to pass someone right at that point. I ended up passing 4 people and did not get passed myself.

This week is going to be rough. Cleves tonight (10 miles), Strawberry festival Thursday (10 miles) and Groveport Sunday (23.something miles). Hopefully the weather cooperates.

Race #10 Cleves TT

57 riders were there with me starting 48th. I am not used to late start so I need to do something to keep my legs warm as opposed to getting in the que and standing there for 20 minutes. Well, 24 minutes (30 second intervals)

I did what is now my usual and rode the course backward to the start and luckily missed all the potholes. That side of the road sucks, but the side we race on is great?!?

Since it was nice weather there were a lot of people out but it gave me the chance to let my legs get cold again. Even though it's really a training race, I want to keep it as real as possible so I don't hurt myself or do something else stupid by racing cold.

I was feeling it from the get-go. Trying to get in a good rhythm was near impossible last night for some reason so I just plowed my way through as best as possible. The end of the course on the hill seemed farther back than the three previous weeks. I think it was due to cars parking down the hill more due to the turnout. I wanted to hit 25:00 and that slipped away with my powertap reading 25:08 and the official time having me at 25:13. Still a personal record, but not the best I could have done. No drop outs on the powertap like last week. Yay!

Data from the series:
Week 4 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47


11th overall out of 57

Race #9 Cleves TT

Another Tuesday, another time trial! It's great to live close (within reason) to a weekly time trial. I didn't figure a whole lot of people would show up due to the weather, but I think there were around 35 riders. I rode the course in reverse to warm up and NAILED a big hole with both wheels. I figured my day was over right then, but my tires didn't flat out. Lucky!

I started 25th and didn't go balls out as usual for the first half mile or so (though my powertap said my highest 20 second, 1 minute and 5 minute power were all from the start...oops).

It got a little misty from the rain, but for the most part there was no real rain coming down, just wet roads. I kept watching my average speed and it hovered right around 24 as there was a slight headwind at the start. After the power plant, the speed really picked up, but somewhere my powertap lost 45 seconds. It just died from what I'm guessing was it being waterlogged. I didn't see that as it happened so when I crossed the finish line, my computer read a new personal record by well over a minute. Well, the official time had me get a PR but only by 20 seconds. It wasn't until after downloading my data at home did I discover the outage on my powertap. I hope it was just the rain that did that and not something worse.

Anyway, the data is suspect. It said 271 watt average with a speed of 24.1. The average speed is wrong by 0.3 or so and I'm not sure I believe the wattage because that's not what I'm capable of producing right now. Whatever, at least I felt pretty good out there.

Race #8 Colavita Versailles

19 mile course. Hard cross/head wind going out. Bad traffic coming back.

23.6 mph @ 231 watts.

On the back end of the race I had several incidents with traffic and or touring bikes. There was some little bike tour that turned into a park about 2 miles from the turnaround. There was a trailer being pulled by a truck that said "caution cyclists". I had to pass this behemoth on the left (an illegal move on my part) because he was going 12 mph and hogged the right side. This trailer was escorting two cyclists on hybrids. I thought for 2 seconds that it was odd but no worries. Had to stomp the pedals to get back to speed...until...I ended up behind 2 more tourists, yelled "on your left" and of course, they tried to turn left in front of me at the entrance to the park. Had to stomp again to get back up to speed. I thought all was going to be fine until I caught a time trial racer being tailed by a woman in a station wagon. She would not pass him and he was doing maybe 20mph. So I tried to pass her on the right as she was hugging the center line. I couldn't completely pass her because she was tailgating the cyclist so I ended up riding side by side at her passenger door (another stupid move on my part). We came up to an intersection so I backed off figuring she would turn right and kill me. She turned left, I lived, but once again had to stomp to get back to speed and pass the racer in front of me. By now I was toast. In reality, it probably didn't affect me much, but it's a convenient excuse for a bad time. haha.

5th place out of 10 in the 40-49 age group. I won more Heed!

The five races in the last twelve days has taken it's toll (I'm racing tomorrow night too unless the weather is bad) and I am toast. But I've lost 3 pounds in that period.

Race #7 Cleves time trial

Little bit faster, little more watts.

Last week: 24.2 average @ 242 watts
This week: 24.3 average @ 250 watts

The weather was not really a factor as the course is quite sheltered from any wind and since it's a horseshoe course only a strong wind from the south would cause an alteration of time. Maybe I'm just making that up.

Anyway, I was 15th out of 35 and 14 seconds faster than last week.

Race #6 QCW 40k tt

WINDY and COLD. 23 lunatics showed up for the 40k.

The wind actually helped most people get a new personal record on the course, myself included.

The screaming downhill start, was screaming. I ran out of gears of course. The out section was nothing to speak of as I kept plodding along waiting for the hill. I got to it and my bike was able to shift into the little ring. Thank God for that or I wouldn't have made it.

Nothing in racing made me as happy as seeing the end of that dang hill. Turn around and WOOSH, I immediately hit a new time trial high speed of 47.7 miles per hour. The return trip after the downhill was spent hoping the finish would come real soon. Last month I finished at 1:01:30 (or thereabouts) and at 45 minutes I was dying. Made it to the finish line at 1:00:30 (or thereabouts) with a power around 235 (I forget). 23.2 mph.

Note about the hill: At the bottom of the climb, I was averaging 26.5 mph. At the top, my average dropped to 22.4. Over a 4mph drop in average over a 1.5 mile climb. Ouch.

Three races this week hurt, so what am I doing this week? Three races.

Results

Race #5 Speedy Feet Casstown

This Casstown race was the new Strawberry Festival route, a 10 mile clockwise route starting from the new fire department. On such a nice evening, it was sad that only 22 people showed up. For crying out loud, I drove 1.25 hours from Cincinnati to race!

Anyway, I got there early (surprise!) and I was third to go off. Unlike Tuesday, I warmed up by doing the course. It was a nice easy ride of 21mph with 200 watts. I finished too fast and then lost my warm up because I screwed around for 25 minutes until I actually raced.

Shane D started 30 seconds behind me and even though he was on a standard bike, the fear of him passing me kept me motivated. He's riding well and is in shape. I lost speed to him on all the corners and that led to him passing me on the final turn heading from Casstown to the Fire Dept.

Overall, I was 6th (I don't count HPVs). This was my fastest TT of the 5 I have done this season at 24.7. Wattage was 249. Did not feel any after effects from racing Tuesday, but I am feeling it now and Saturday's 40k tt should just about kill me. In a good way...?

Results

Race #4 Cleves TT

What a great night for a ride! Cleve's time trial put on by QCW has been going on for 36 years. It's held every Tuesday from May until September - I'm going to try and ride most of them. It's a 10 mile course that's actually more rolling than I thought it would be, but nothing too tough. The finish is on a slight uphill grade but it's only 0.25 miles long and it's not necessary to get out of the big ring for it.

I hung around the start line since it was my first time there and the result was no warm up whatsoever. I wasn't sure how things were run and I will not miss a start time! As was the case with the QCW 40k, we had to guess our speed if we had never been there before so they could arrange us in order from slow to fast. Estimating a speed of 22-23mph slotted me at 36th out of 51.

Next week I will actually warm up...

I started completely cold and dry. It didn't affect me early but as the miles ticked over it did with my lungs and legs feeling it. Since the course wasn't totally pan flat it kept things interesting in regards to my pacing, but it was hovering in the mid 24's as far as an average speed went.

According to my powertap, I finished around 25:47 for a speed of 24.2 and a wattage of 242. For the first time out there I felt pretty good and once I know the course, I'll be able to gauge where better to pick up time. Leaving prior to the results being posted, I don't know where I finished yet, but right now that's not the point of the races.

Next race is tomorrow in Casstown barring any weather issues.

http://www.qcw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=134

Right after I published this post, the results had been uploaded. 17th out of 56.

Race #3 Colavita Casstown TT

Sunday's race was up and down the the final Fred's Ride time trial route. Five miles up, five miles back. Luckily (?) there was a strong tailwind from the south to push us uphill.

The highest number I saw was 75 so there were at least that many riders. Since the weather for Sunday had been iffy all week, I think the large turnout was due to the amount of prizes in both merchandise and money that was being given out.

I like this course. There were some good battles here in 2006 when I first and last did a race here. Five times I raced here that year, topping out at 23minutes 24seconds for a 25.64 average. Still never beat Vince or Dan, but whatever. It's five miles going out, mostly uphill of about a percent, then the second half is typically screaming back downhill. Not Sunday though with the wind from the south. Going out was fast. I forgot to set my powertap until 5 seconds in (oops, second time that's ever happened) and soon I was pushing 26-27 uphill. Not much to report going out but I was holding a good speed. Turned around and BOOM, more wind than I thought. Going back downhill was much harder than going out and my average showed it. I ended up at 23.9 average via my 5 second missing powertap. Good for 6th in the 40-49 group. Old guys are faster than the young guys. Wattage was 240.

I did not get passed, nor did I pass anyone. Found out my one minute man had the exact same time as me and my two minute man was one second faster. No wonder I didn't see anyone!

Shane, per usual, destroyed everyone in the standard class and most people overall. Wow!

This was my 156th race since 2005.

mf

On top of everything I can now add to the laundry list a back condition that leaves me barely able to get out of bed in the morning. I think the tennis didn't help it.

I did do 1.75 hours on the trainer this afternoon after not riding yesterday on the nicest day of the year. It's getting frustrating.

It's time for a major change. Just have to figure out what that means.

Race #2 QCW 40k time trial

Saturday was QCW's 40k TT in Alexandria Kentucky. Was billed as a fast downhill start, one major climb mid way through and you don't have to climb back up the starting downhill (at least until after the race was over). It lived up to the billing. 10 minutes into the tt and my average speed was 32mph.

It was chilly at the start so I wore gloves. Other than that, it was my usual gear for a time trial. Well not really. Since it was a new course for me, I chose to wear my Rx Oakleys so I could see. I typically don't wear glasses in time trials if I know the course.

So anyway, this race is just more training. I had no intention of being competitive but I need race efforts and what better to get that sort of effort but in a race? After the smoking start the course was rolling with an uphill trend and by the time I hit the hill I still had a decent speed. Certainly I was setting no wattage records though. I hit the hill (roughly 1.5 miles at 5% or so I was told) and my bike would not shift to the small ring. I had NEVER used my small ring in any race and maybe only once or twice on a ride. I should have checked that out before hand. I almost came to a standstill trying to shift, but I stayed upright, lost tons of time, and stood almost the entire climb. By the top, I was done. Done. Done. Luckily, it was big downhill the next 1.5 miles. I topped out at 46.2mph and ran out of gears. Struggling with lack of oxygen (no lungs) and lactate (no legs), I gutted out the last several miles on will power alone. The finish came none too quick and I rested for 5 minutes before hitting the climb to get back to the parking lot. I hand shifted to the small ring before going up though. 22.8mph average. Sad wattage at 220 (average).

If I hadn't been riding in West Chester the last month, the hill would have completely destroyed me. Luckily (?) it's all hilly riding down here so I'm getting used to climbing.

3-28-10 Colavita TT race #1

2nd slowest time ever on that course. Ended up 3rd place in the 40-49 division with the 6th or 7th fastest time of all riders (50 or so). Cold and rainy day.

Being sick and not riding for the last two weeks took it's toll as I could simply not maintain any sort of wattage required for a faster average, which was under 23mph. If memory serves my average watts were 225 or some such misery.

Next race is 40k on April 10th in Kentucky via Queen City Wheels.

Hold the press

With business number one, number two, number three and now number four taking most of my time, I forgot I had a blog. Facebook takes more of my time than anything else of frivolity now. This week is a rest week as far as cycling goes so I have a spare couple of minutes to update the 5 billion people who read this thing. Fricken booyah.

March is looking scary. With trips to Costa Rica and St Maarten in the same month and race season starting the 28th, I am nowhere near prepared for the 2010 campaign and won't be by the first race. But screw it, I'm racing anyway.

For January I just quietly spent an hour at a time on my time trial bike. Every day is a different type of ride or length of interval. Some days it's coach Troy, some days it's coach Carmicheal and some days it's watching something on hulu.

20 seconds of death. 40 seconds of death, 5 minutes of 'I wish it was death', etc.

I did move my elbow pads in, so that marks consecutive year number four of changing my time trial position ever so much. Since I don't subscribe to UCI (and never will thank you since my FUCKING BIKE will be illegal) rule, I am going to play around with Floyd and Levi's old position for the heck of it as the year goes on. Not like there's a lack of time trials or anything...

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NUCLEAR.

I am 100% committed to NOT racing any road races this year. Instead, I am stupidly debating the ignorance of running again. Then if the mood strikes, I can run, ride and run again. Who knows? If I start today, I'll be sick of running by March, so cool. Is the world ready for a time trialler who can run at the freakish pace of 7:12?

Carry on and stop making fun of my training protocol.