You Say It's Your Birthday?

I didn't want to push him.  Sure I took my oldest out to the kidscross practices Bobrow holds on Friday nights.  I wasn't his thing at the time.  

However, when he asked for a cross bike for his birthday, you know I jumped and jumped fast.  I even went to a bike shop that I NEVER go to.  Nice, nice people.  I just can't go to 3 shops and expect to maintain relationships with people.  It had been so long since I'd darkened their door that the proprieter actually asked me what I was doing there.  Bless him, he knew what I needed and came out of the back room with a brand new Redline Conquest 24.  yeah, my kids first cross bike is nicer than my first cross bike. By a lot!

It's a sweet little ride, and fits him just right. It's like a mini version of Garner's bike.

He really did well on the course.  He pedaled fast thru the sand and even managed  to do a run up or two, although more may have killed him.  But he loves it!! Way too cool to share this with him.

Even better, he asked me if we can go back to the cx course tomorrow.  Well..........I, mean if that's what he wants(can you see the shit eating grin on my face?)

The next step involves joining the RedZone jr cycling team/club.  They have an amazing environment and it really helps kids learn the right way to ride/race/compete.  Let's face it.  He's not going to learn it from his old man.

He's had a huge birthday weekend, besides the bike we had a sleepover/water balloon battle/rock band marathon with 6 of his friends who went to bed at 6....a.m.!!

Long weekend. Really long weekend.

Also, a quick birthday shout out to little Katie, Dug's baby girl.  She likes spinning too.

Short Track Report.....this aint no party

Okay, actually it was kind of a party. We had a lot of good folks racing, spectating, heckling, drinking and all manner of good fun.

The course was creative and not the same old river road cx course that we all know and love. There were different routes, obstacles, logs, a creek crossing and the children of the corn/honey I shrunk the mtn bike section that was full of switchbacks and drops. In other words, big fun.

They ran the bum's race(cat 3) after the kids and women, so I felt an unusual amount of respect. Normally they put us in the pre-dawn darkness to hide our sin....or for some reason.

I got a position on the front, got 3rd or 4th position coming into the first turn and used as much cx knowledge as I could to overcome my super-soft mtn biking skills. I knew that the soft, deep mud of the creek crossing would be a dis-mount and this is a place I was able to use to maintain a gap on the guys behind me. I couldn't figure out what the noise from my back tire was in the twisty section. Brrrrappp! Brrrrappp! I didn't realize there was a guy literally riding my wheel. Somehow I was able to shake him. Rubbin's just racin right? I was solid in 6th or so and dropped a chain on the last lap and dismounted, fixed it and finished in the big ring, grinding it out for 8th(out of 20 not out of 9).

Next they ran the Cat2's and Singlespeeds. The other Rogue in the race was Fatty on a sweet rigid 29'er. The orange IF is a bad ass ride and despite being started behind the Cat2's, Fatty picked off the boys with the gears one by one. Dude has serious power and won the Singlespeed category and finished ahead of quite a few Cat2's.

Then the ice cold beer. Is there a more perfect way to watch a race than after a good effort/finish watching the real talent beat each other up on the course? I don't think so.

Kudos to the Mtn Bike Depot crew of Aaron, Mary and new-guy-Joe on a well run race on a fun course.

4 more Thursdays of Short Track left. This should get us all the way to CX season.

Stay tuned for details on some new cx talent in town.

More on that and race photos later.

Short Timers

Short Track Mtn Bike racing starts today at RRCC/the home field. Its going to be sloppy and seriously fun. The weather could get a little crossy, but luckily my bike is somewhat waterproof. Glad I didn't buy that fully rigid bike made of sugar. That seemed like a bad idea.

Hope to see you all down there. Its an early start, which means we can start drinking that much earlier.

C'mon, buy the ticket, take the ride.

Hello Pot? It's Kettle.

I know, I know what you'll all say but Stephen Pastis kills me.  This isn't meant to be sexist.  It's just funny.  

please enjoy

  The Woman Who Took All The Words-stephen pastis

Flew back from Hollywood yesterday and wanted to let you know that if any of you are having trouble speaking today, I know why.

The woman sitting across from me on the plane used up all the words.

She sat with her friend during the flight.  Their husbands sat in a different row.  That should have been a red flag.

She never once shut her mouth.  She talked coming down the aisle, talked when we were awaiting take-off, talked during the take-off, talked during the drink service, talked during landing, talked while we waited to de-board.

And she talked fast, thereby increasing her word consumption rate.

Even more tragic was the fact that none of the words were put to good end.   She was the neighbor who lets her sprinklers run in the rain.

At the end of the flight, as we waited to get off the plane, she complained to her husband that he should not have chosen the seats they were in, because it put them at the back of the plane, and it therefore took too long for them to de-board.  Her husband said he always chose the back because there were less crying babies to annoy them during the flight.  But then he added, “But we had you talking the entire time, so you made up for that.”

I was giddy with joy.

The woman was not.

She glared angrily at her husband.  And then she glared at me, as I was standing directly behind her husband.  And then I did something that surprised even me.

I nodded my head in agreement.

She stared at me,  stunned by my rudeness.

I was a little stunned as well.  Not by my reflexive gesture, but by the fact that her mouth had stopped moving.

Before you judge me, consider this:  I almost high-fived the man.

I’d say more about the fact that I took the moral high road, but I cannot.

Big-mouth took all the words.

And No w For Something Completely Different....

That was fun wasn't it kids? A great post to get everybody good and woken up.  Nice.  Here's a little something far less controversial.  I figured I'd better change the subject before Dug attacked beer or coffee or something(wait for it, we worked this one out ahead of time.

But for now, consider the cycling cap.  The classic biretta.  I wear these a lot. In the winter for warmth, in the summer to keep the sweat out of my eyes, guard me from the demon sun, etc.  I'm still trying to sell Fatty on the concept, it's a jump for a mtn biker to get that sophisticated, but he's well read and tests clean so there's hope.

I almost always have on the Rapha white/black cap and not just because it matches the Rogue kit.

I just found the Embrocation Magazine cycling team cap on Mr Dunn's site, its a cool look and is a light weight cap. 

check it out here

Cool stuff and far less controversial than what Dug has going on at the Y

Hitting the Road, and some fightin' words (Doug)

I know...Holy Hell, he's alive. It's been just about a month since I was out here to LTP, to read OR post. Life just gets in the way sometimes, as they say. I rest easy at night knowing that Brian keeps you entertained, or at least he keeps you occupied. Damn, and I thought I had free time.

Since my last post, I've run a marathon (4:04, just missing my 4 hour goal), spent a week at Disney World (they did NOT get me on camera screaming "I'm going to Disney World" as I crossed the finish...no, I didn't really do that), spent a night (or half a night) camping with Brian, Ari, and the families (I'm sure there's a post about that somewhere on this blog), and then spent the past couple of weeks trying to slowly transition back into regular training and real life -- you know, one without meal plans, character dinners, and maid service.

Anyway, it's fitting that I find a little time tonight to post, as I have honestly just gotten out on my bike this week for the first time since February. I went out with the family on Sunday to watch some of the Norton Commons races (I haven't even had a chance to read Brian's last 10 posts, but one of them HAS to be about that race), and that, combined with the fact that I have a Half Ironman race coming up in 7 weeks, and combined with the best string of weather we've had all year, convinced me to get out on the road for a little real riding. I actually put up the Aero/CX bike and got the Bianchi road bike tune up for a solo 18 mile ride at a decent pace on Monday, and then a great 38 mile ride with a local training group on Wednesday. It feels good to be back out there, and the legs are strong. I've also started to get back into some slightly longer distance runs after a really nice break since the marathon. I got 7 miles in on Tuesday, and then 6 in today, which should cover what I wanted to do for the week, I think. I really feel comfortable with the running portion, and expect the 13.1 will not be an issue in July. I've also continued the swim lessons, although I skipped this Wednesday to get the long ride in. It is really what worries me the most, still, but I want to keep the other two disciplines going as well. That's the real issue with typically only having 1-2 hours per day to train, and having a decent sized (Half Iron) triathlon to train for. It's tough to get it all in...especially the bike stuff, although I love riding when it's nice out. This brings me to a point that I hesitate to make, but will anyway. I hadn't given it much thought until a recent conversation with Brian on our camp out about how I "need" to get out there on my bike if I expect to be able to do the 56 mile bike portion of the Half Ironman. We then talked briefly about how real riding is needed for handling skills, namely pack riding skills, more than anything. That's when it hit me. I don't really "need" to ride on the road ever. Don't get me wrong, I love getting out there under the right conditions, but I really don't have the time normally, and (here it comes...let the shit fly) I get a much better "cycling" workout in the spinning room, in what I am now figuring is anywhere from 1/2 to 1/3 the time. Again, I'm getting No, Zero, Nada handling skills, but I'm pretty comfortable on my bike when I'm on my own. Hell, from my 38 mile ride the other day with the training group, I'm better than many. I'm still comfortable 12" behind the wheel in front of me, and understand the proper reaction to a fast brake in front of me to a degree (the only time I've ever gone down was under this circumstance, and I admittedly made a bad reaction to cause it, but that was on one of my first racing group rides last year, and I trained a bit more with the team, went on racing group rides, and even raced in a few races since then). That said, I don't think I'm a good pack rider by any means, but I DON'T RIDE IN PACKS, at least not wheel to wheel like the racers, and not at speeds higher than about 18mph with a club/training ride. So, all I really need to do is build the strength it takes to pedal the bike, and the way it seems to me, based on some rudimentary calculations, and basic perceived exertion, the way I work as hard as I can in a 45 minute spinning class, constantly pedalling against difficult resistance, never coasting, never drafting, never downhill, I burn more calories, and push my legs every bit as hard, if not harder, than I do on a 2.5 hour, 45 mile bike ride. Now, I realize there are many other factors. The racing rides that average 23 mph instead of the 18 that I do are way tougher. The racing rides that go up the hills over and over again are way tougher. I get it. But for me, as compared to what I would be doing on the road, I'd need to get out there for 2.5-3 hours to get the same workout as a 45-60 minute spinning class - and I still don't feel like my Heart Rate gets pushed to any limit, which is always another goal of my workouts. Truthfully, speaking of heart rate, I think spinning and my Boot Camp classes, with the way they push HR to maximum over and over again, are better training for cyclocross than any bike ride except for some sort of interval sprint/climb/distance ride that might be put together. I also realize there is some sort of endurance benefit to be gained from being out on the road longer (I suppose), but maybe my running and other activities have helped cover that, because I've never had an issue with distance riding, and feel like I've riden relatively strong compared to anyone I ride with on most given days, regardless of the terrain/elevation/distance. Not spectacular, mind you, but when I can ride once every 4 months on the road (training mostly in the spinning room) and keep up with the groups I do get to ride with occasionally (who ride 3-4 times per week), I can only conclude that the spinning is comperable training, and I do it in 1/3 of the time. Anyway, I can't be completely sure because lord knows I don't have enough real data from actual road riding, but I would be very comfortable doing all my bike training in a spinning class if necessary, and feel every bit as prepared (if not more) than if I'd tried to put a road riding training schedule together. That all said, when the weather is nice, and I can somehow find the time, this week reminded my just how much I do ENJOY riding on the road. Maybe because it's so easy (kidding, really)...

Whatever the case, I'll ride when I have the time, and spin when I don't, and call it all even. I am looking forward to my 2nd annual MS 150 coming up in a few weeks, then the 24 mile leg of the Shelbyville Olympic Distance Triathlon, and then the 56 mile leg of the Muncie Endurathon Half-Ironman. There is even very hushed rumor of me trying to get permission to ride this crazy Gentleman's Race in September (see one of Brian's posts, I'm sure). If that happens, I may be taking back this entire post with apologies.

Short Track Mountain Bike Series Starts Next Thursday

Pick up registration at The Mountain Bike Depot/Cross Supply. Races Will Be @ RRCC, the mother -course. Every Thursday night. check it.

welcome back killer

The big story today is that Michael Vick is getting out of prison, jail, the pokey, the gray-bar hotel.

What's really sad is that the nfl only hands out life-time bans for performance enhancing drug use or gambling. Some nfl team is going to chuck decency out the window and give this guy a job.

All in all, I'd rather have Pete Rose as a team mate...or a dog sitter.

Yet another unheaded sign of the apocalypse.

I Hate It When My Racing Career Is Summed Up By A Comic Strip

he shouldn't call me that, its just not kosher.

Norton Commons Race Report

Okay maybe it wasn't exactly like that

but it was a hell of a day.

With a crazy cold snap,  temps were low 50's for the race start.  Don't forget, they run the bums early so we went off at 10:30, which honestly seemed quite civilized.

The course at Norton Commons is actually a pretty cool place to ride although there is an extremely tight corner right before the fast downhill 

towards the finish.  That corner is

what the race "officials" blamed/used

as an excuse to begin pulling people in the 2nd lap.  yes, they took the entry fee, let them race 2 laps and said "tough luck, ride faster".  I survived deeper than that, but was attempting to bridge up to the next group when I got pulled.

Tallgirl apparently heard the expletive that I dropped, loudly, as I was shocked by the man waving me off.  I was actually feeling good, moving up through the ranks and had a descent shot at catching the next group. Hell they pulled 40 riders from the pro race.  If I had come from far away and was a pro, I can imagine how much worse that would be.

I had a great conversation with Mike Hewitt the race promoter and he assured me that they wanted to fix this for next year, split the fields, manage the situation.  Hewitt always has his head on straight.  Not so for the toolbag former team mate who thought it was a good idea to debate me on the appropriateness of pulling the majority of the field.  Remember the guy that sprinted me for mid-pack finish at day 1 one the USGP? Yep.  Same dude.  Why he inserted himself into the conversation was beyond me. I can only assume arrogance and stupidity.

What the hell.  It had to happen.   The conversations that mattered, such as the one with Hewitt went well, and I am pleased to know that they understand the problem.  Hopefully it'll get better.  Occasionally a little bit of high volume discussion occurs. Thankfully not that often.

The women's race was fun to watch.  The domestic goddess/child wrangler had brought the progeny to watch what racing I did and teamed up w Mr and Meesus Dug and the papist's far better half(and offspring) to have a crowd ready to root for the home team and play on the inflatables that had wisely been placed about.  Lucky for us they were all willing to stay around for a few races.  Nice to be able to cheer for your friends and not rush home right way.

Back to the women's race-the rogue ladies represented well with K2 getting third on the day and for the series.  She and Jen rode with the pro pack and hung with them to gap them cat 4's by basically forever.  For the other ladies, it looked like web-girl had a good ride going with some nice attacks.  Hey, it beats more time with the inlaws, right? And of course Margie from high school kicked some buttocks as well.

All in all, a frustrating but fun day.  That's racing right?

tooooobies!! finally, the wait is over

after some crazy dealings with the (really) very

nice folks at Chris King, waiting on rims from Mavic.

(zoot alures!!! think that means oh rats in french, but that was a hazy high school memory)

I got the call this week from Aaron @ mtnbike depot that the tubies were done. As you've probably noticed, I went ahead and put some Challenge Criterium road tires on them to start, since there's still a few crits on the schedule.

Here's how they break down

ChrisKing cyclocross hubs-pewter

Mavic Reflex rims

Dt Swiss spokes

Recipe clearly stolen from Seiler, Fatty and countless others that  know this magic combination.  I'll have the Challenge Fango's mounted as soon as Cross practices start.  I know, I know. Everyone else rides Grifo's, but I stumbled upon the Fango thru dumb luck alone and really like the way they grip.

I picked them up Tuesday, but with an event that night and a 16hr work day on Wednesday(duroy, tell those ok boys that thats a full day, reps don't lv at noon around here at least) my first real ride was today.  

45 miles of hills and a quick trip around this weekend's crit course and damn these things are nice.  I have to get used to riding a smaller volume tire(the other wheels have Pave's mounted) as I was riding a 25c tire v the Criterium which is a 21.  They roll fast and sweet and the "angry bee" sound from the CK hubs is sweet sweet music.

For those w a keen eye, yes I did tip my hat to Bob Roll and put a message on the brown sidewall(or rather aaron did because my handwriting is often confused for russian or other Cyrillic tongues).

I skipped the stones although I do love them so, and went with a little wisdom from Dr Thompson or rather Raoul Duke.  Maybe I should leave that to the people that line up next to me

Truly, I just can't wait for cx season.  What's that counter say up there?  too long. It's just too long.

the plot sickens, more boonenisms

When asked about his career limiting cocaine use, 3 time Roubaix winner Tom Boonen blamed his cocaine problem on his drinking problem.
That's like when the coach tells you that while you may not be strong, you are slow.
Welcome to the downward spiral Tommeke. I hate to see this. The man is an amazing cyclist, and his career is going down the tubes over something as de-cereberate as this.
As noted psychologist and Rapha hardman hissownself Dr Duroy diagnosed
"You can't be that hard and that stupid, or maybe you have to be that stupid to be that hard" make way folks, he is a doctor. Annnnd he's probably right.
Hopefully Tornado Tom will learn from all the hollywood celebs and just go to rehab for a week and then make a career out of being "reformed".

Ground Control to Major Tom

A quick Monday morning Bowie reference and a WTF!!!!????

to Boonen.  3 f'ing Paris-Roubaix victories and you get yourself kicked off the team for stupid disco drugs? I don't personally care how you party, Boonen's still the ultimate hardman, but this is just stupid.  Quickstep needs to immediately hire some retired NBA players to teach the whole squad how to beat a drug test. 

C'mon how high do the Kings usually look? Exactly but they don't get caught!!

Winning Roubaix and then getting kicked off of your team right before the Giro and the TDF?????

Dude you're killing me.

Either get some help or get creative and get back to racing.

On the upside, nobody's got the stones to call him a cheater.

No EPO found in the system. Just Peruvian Marching Powder.  That is so flipping 80's.  So you'll evolve and do what? go to a Rave???

Here's a link to the whole ugly mess.

Tourism @ Any Cost?

When I first moved home to the

village, I saw this sign.  First day.

I laugh everytime I drive past it.

Just in case you needed proof that I'm immature.

I went in.  That's not what it was.

shit.

Winston's Knickers

I know normally I tend to get a new piece of equipment/product/whathaveyou and fly off the handle into hyperbole(or so I've heard), but w Winston's Knickers embrocation or any embro, I felt like I really needed to have some experience with the product before taking flight. I'm an embrocation neophyte and didn't want to go blogging out of a dark and dirty place.  Plus, a wise girl once told me "one swallow doesn't make spring", but that's probably out of context.

I know, you're thinking "hey, it's Derby weekend, you really need to embrocate?", well, today the temps were in the high 50's, wet and it was a little Carnoustie out there. Yeah, I made a golf reference, and I did it for all three of you who got it.  Think really good cx weather and you're there.   Given that, the Rogue Racing Project team ride called for maximum comfort, as I new the pace would be tough, these folks always bring the jack-legs.

Unlike Mad Alchemy, who makes an incredible cold weather embro, this is designed for springtime.  It's thinner, and goes on much easier.  It's got a cool feel as you apply it and then....nothing.  But nothing in a good way.  This isn't designed to be obtrusive.  Kind of like the guy who makes it, it's quiet but effective.  When the rain sprayed or the puddles splashed, it reacted with the embrocation and felt warm and somewhat soothing instead of cold and jarring.  Perfect for spring.  I like to get a feel for all the possible ways of staying comfortable so I can focus on suffering the 1,000 deaths being doled out by the racers from "the projects" on the hills of Sleepy Hollow or the flat out pace on River Rd.  I try not to stump for many products, but this is worth your attention.

Derby 135 and help for the uninitiated

I realize that not all of you live here in the bluegrass and quite possibly did not realize that this weekend is when the most exciting 2 minutes in sports occurs.  the Kentucky Derby, the sport of kings is a lot like cycling in that there's a lot of terminology to know.  Lucky for you, I'm here to make sure you look like you're in the know.  Here are some terms to throw into conversation with your hipster friends.

8 Bells- when everything goes to hell in a handbasket at the moment that you're are giving it everything you've got.

ex- Myerson was sitting 5th when he got food poisoning and the whole thing went  8 Bells.

if adam's still sick then this was a tasteless example and mgt apologizes.

My Old Kentucky Home- It's traditional to sing this stephen foster chestnut just before the running of the derby.  To look extra in the know, quiet the crowd as the song begins and "national anthem style",  sing along. Download the lyrics, but beware, if your copy has the word "darkie's" in it....you have an old, pre-civil war version.  Even in Ky we don't sing it that way anymore.

Mint Julep- a drink that, if not made by expert hands is the worst firewater concoction possible.  Made correctly, usually by an innocent looking old lady, they are phenomenal and will knock you on your ass.  Use Maker's Mark bourbon and tell everyone how you're developing a taste for small batch bourbons now that PBR is so out.

Bourbon Balls- a chocolate confection made w alcohol, not the performance result of too much brown water.

ex. When someone says "I have bourbon balls" they are offering you candy, not complaining that they need to"see alice"

Learn some gambling terminology and you are almost one of us. also, seersucker is a suit material, not something dirty, think of it as the Rapha of spectating garb.  Have fun and remember it's the 8th race, quit bitching and try to stay sober enough towatch the ponies run.