Got in a nice ride today with the warm weather. Planned on doing about 100km on my own, but about 45 mins into the ride a couple of roadie friends caught up to me and I ended up riding with them. They are pretty good riders, much better shape than me, and it showed on the big climg of the day. I was working a little too hard on a 4km section right before the climb so when we hit it I was out of gas. Now this is a climb I use a lot in the summer as it is about as long and sustained as I can find in my area. Lasts about 7-10 mins depending on how fast you ride. Under 7 mins is my record, about 7.5 mins is the avg but today was about 10 mins. I was just beat. Once to the top luckily my two friends waited for me and we started to head back. It was nice because we had a tail wind and were doing about 35-40km/h most of the way. On the last stretch the strongest rider practiced his sprint lead out.....I was able to hold on....avg'd about 55km/h on that stretch. So today was a good indicator of my fitness. Not too bad at holding speed, but lots of work needed on the climbing. Probably losing 20lbs would be the best answer. Ended up only doing 75km but got an excellent workout riding with people who are faster than me. Sometimes that really is the only answer....when riding by yourself it is good for endurance, but rarely does one push themselves as hard as they really could go.
Got a bet going with my wife on who will be the "biggest loser"....like the TV show. We each have our goals and whoever comes closest by April 23 gets to go on a spending spree. My goal is 167lbs. Could be a little difficult....got down to 173lbs a couple of years ago, but this could be tough, especially so early in the season. I have a 2 week training camp scheduled for early April so that will help. The big factor will be how much riding I get done it March and how my diet works. I wonder what I would buy?
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Had some great rides over the past few days. Friday I snuck out for a road ride.....had the intention on doing a long (i.e. 4 hour) ride but after nearly being blown into the ditch a few times decided against quite that much distance. I did get out for 2.5 hours though. Riding into the headwind sure was a good workout.
Got in another ride with Mark on Sunday morning. I was planning to ride the "back up" bike which is my hardtail with a mish-mash of parts because my other bike is having middle chain ring issues. Specifically it is skipping a ton. Probably has to do with the fact it is worn out, missing teeth and I just put on a new chain. I'll get another ring (maybe a whole set) before heading down to Arizona. So Saturday night I get the hardtail ready and take it up the street for a test ride. It just felt so hard. I ended up taking the FS on Sunday and just didn't use the middle ring since we were mostly on the pavement for the entire 3 hour ride. Mark used his hardtail and really motored up the hills and could sprint pretty well. I just might need to try that hardtail once more. Ideally, I'd like to get a new frame that fits properly and give it a solid go.
Bike show is coming in just over a month. Maybe I'll get a frame there. I don't need much else, just looking for parts deals etc.
The weather is still above seasonal right now so hopefully I can get out for more rides. I haven't done as much this year as last so I need to pick up the pace a little. Hopefully it works out.
Steve
Got in another ride with Mark on Sunday morning. I was planning to ride the "back up" bike which is my hardtail with a mish-mash of parts because my other bike is having middle chain ring issues. Specifically it is skipping a ton. Probably has to do with the fact it is worn out, missing teeth and I just put on a new chain. I'll get another ring (maybe a whole set) before heading down to Arizona. So Saturday night I get the hardtail ready and take it up the street for a test ride. It just felt so hard. I ended up taking the FS on Sunday and just didn't use the middle ring since we were mostly on the pavement for the entire 3 hour ride. Mark used his hardtail and really motored up the hills and could sprint pretty well. I just might need to try that hardtail once more. Ideally, I'd like to get a new frame that fits properly and give it a solid go.
Bike show is coming in just over a month. Maybe I'll get a frame there. I don't need much else, just looking for parts deals etc.
The weather is still above seasonal right now so hopefully I can get out for more rides. I haven't done as much this year as last so I need to pick up the pace a little. Hopefully it works out.
Steve
Monday, January 09, 2006
Happy Belated New Year
Happy New Year to all. Hope everyone had a great holiday. Certain individuals have complained to me about my lack of blogging so here it goes:
Training has been going okay. I haven't been out on the road a lot due to the nasty weather. I particularly want to get out on the weekends but everytime the weekend rolls around it is pouring raining or snowing. Finally this past Saturday I went out and rode with my friend Mark, mostly on snow (and ice) covered paths but we did manage one short section of singletrack. Figures that it section I nearly slide into a gully trying to navigate a short, narrow bridge. Anyways we went out for 3 hours and surprisingly I didn't not feel all that tired. I thought it would have been worse. I think my biggest issue is going to be the fact that I put on some Christmas weight. I always say I won't let it happen but never have much luck with that.
On the team front I am riding with Team Recover-Ease for 2006. Recover-Ease (www.recover-ease.com) is a new recovery supplement on the market and they are trying to promote it in part by sponsoring a team of atheletes. I didn't go for much else in the way of sponsorship....I am happy with what I have now so I didn't feel there was a need.
As far as races go this year, once again my season will begin with with the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo in Tucson, Arizona. This race is always a toss up in terms of fitness so I never expect much out of it and just go to have fun.
Next race might be 24 Hours of Adrenalin in Idyllwild, California at the end of April. I am going to be in the area for business during that time so I might take my bike with me and do the race. Perhaps as a tag team with my brother. This is the location that I rode the 24 Hour World Solo Championships in 2001. It won't be as hot this time, but could be very cold a night.
In May I am going to do the Burn 24 Hour (www.burn24hour.com) in North Carolina which I did a few years ago. It was a fun, low key event so I am looking forward to doing it again.
In June is the 24 Hours of Summer Solstice (www.chicoracing.com) which is the largest 24 hour race in North America. This was the scene of my infamous crash last year which basically ruined my season. If I can be in as good shape this year as I was last year at this time then the race should go well. I'll be plenty rested with 4 weeks between the Burn and this one.
July is totally up in the air. I'll be on vacation and might just use the month to recharge my batteries for the 2nd half of the season. There is a race in Wisconsin at the end of July which is the NORBA National Championship....it is intriguing plus many of the racers will be going for the national title which I would not be eligible for so I would be in a different catagory. It might end up in a good result.
August is the 24 Hours of Albion Hills. I haven't decided if I am going to do this as a team or solo yet. I haven't done a team 24 hour in so long it might be fun. But then I would envy the solo's.
September brings the 24 Hours in Pisgah (North Carolina)....I've been eyeing this race for awhile, but I think I will wait and see how I feel. September also brings the Dirty 100 and an 8 hour the following weekend which are both close to home.
Lastly, in November is La Rute (www.adventurerace.com) in Costa Rica. I have wanted to do this 3 day stage race across Costa Rica for a long time. I almost went in 2001 but then qualified for the World's and did that instead. It would be an expensive adventure but something I would remember forever.
Sprinkle in a few "regular" mountain bike races and maybe even a road race and you have my season. An aggressive one for sure, but hopefully everything will work out and it will be a successful one to!
Steve
Training has been going okay. I haven't been out on the road a lot due to the nasty weather. I particularly want to get out on the weekends but everytime the weekend rolls around it is pouring raining or snowing. Finally this past Saturday I went out and rode with my friend Mark, mostly on snow (and ice) covered paths but we did manage one short section of singletrack. Figures that it section I nearly slide into a gully trying to navigate a short, narrow bridge. Anyways we went out for 3 hours and surprisingly I didn't not feel all that tired. I thought it would have been worse. I think my biggest issue is going to be the fact that I put on some Christmas weight. I always say I won't let it happen but never have much luck with that.
On the team front I am riding with Team Recover-Ease for 2006. Recover-Ease (www.recover-ease.com) is a new recovery supplement on the market and they are trying to promote it in part by sponsoring a team of atheletes. I didn't go for much else in the way of sponsorship....I am happy with what I have now so I didn't feel there was a need.
As far as races go this year, once again my season will begin with with the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo in Tucson, Arizona. This race is always a toss up in terms of fitness so I never expect much out of it and just go to have fun.
Next race might be 24 Hours of Adrenalin in Idyllwild, California at the end of April. I am going to be in the area for business during that time so I might take my bike with me and do the race. Perhaps as a tag team with my brother. This is the location that I rode the 24 Hour World Solo Championships in 2001. It won't be as hot this time, but could be very cold a night.
In May I am going to do the Burn 24 Hour (www.burn24hour.com) in North Carolina which I did a few years ago. It was a fun, low key event so I am looking forward to doing it again.
In June is the 24 Hours of Summer Solstice (www.chicoracing.com) which is the largest 24 hour race in North America. This was the scene of my infamous crash last year which basically ruined my season. If I can be in as good shape this year as I was last year at this time then the race should go well. I'll be plenty rested with 4 weeks between the Burn and this one.
July is totally up in the air. I'll be on vacation and might just use the month to recharge my batteries for the 2nd half of the season. There is a race in Wisconsin at the end of July which is the NORBA National Championship....it is intriguing plus many of the racers will be going for the national title which I would not be eligible for so I would be in a different catagory. It might end up in a good result.
August is the 24 Hours of Albion Hills. I haven't decided if I am going to do this as a team or solo yet. I haven't done a team 24 hour in so long it might be fun. But then I would envy the solo's.
September brings the 24 Hours in Pisgah (North Carolina)....I've been eyeing this race for awhile, but I think I will wait and see how I feel. September also brings the Dirty 100 and an 8 hour the following weekend which are both close to home.
Lastly, in November is La Rute (www.adventurerace.com) in Costa Rica. I have wanted to do this 3 day stage race across Costa Rica for a long time. I almost went in 2001 but then qualified for the World's and did that instead. It would be an expensive adventure but something I would remember forever.
Sprinkle in a few "regular" mountain bike races and maybe even a road race and you have my season. An aggressive one for sure, but hopefully everything will work out and it will be a successful one to!
Steve
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