Random post season musings...

   Started my weight training. Ugghh. This also includes running. Double uugghh. Also pilates. This I like. I should probably do it all year as we cyclists tend to have weak-assed core strength. Should I do the race in Jan? I dunno. Snow would be cool. Haven't been on the real bike since the season ended, but have been on the trainer. Maybe I'll get out this week. And........
   I think I may have to change my attitude and create a new blog. Maybe a "new year's resolution" blog. I have decided, I think, at least for now, that I don't suck. So. I need a new blog name. Suggestions welcome. Of course, if you are convinced I still suck, well, that's OK too.
   Thinking of maybe heading up to NE and doing a race weekend next year. I'll have to see how my schedule pans out and what Sarah's soccer schedule is like (for those of you who don't know, she's my youngest daughter). Of course, she should be driving by then, so that will help out. A lot. But I still like to watch her games.Also, should I plunk down big $$ to get some file treads (Clement) put on FMB casings? I haven't spent much equipment-wise this past year, so WFT not? It wold be sweet if Clement decides to make a tubie version; that would make like MUCH easier.
   Still at 175lbs. If I can keep the weight to below, say 180 this winter, I will be real happy. Ok. That's about it for now.

Last race of the year. PA State Championships and thoughts on my season.

 I did the PA State championships @ Jordan Creek parkway in Allentown, PA. Not exceptionally cold but very windy. I had ridden 1 time the week leading up to this so I wasn't expecting much. Got there, stayed warm and rode my trainer to warm up. Legs didn't feel too bad. Did a lap around the course, which was similar to last year but even better, atmo. This course is on the side of a hill essentially, with a flat section at the top and at the bottom. A really fun technical descent which my Fangos were handling nicely. If there's 1 thing I do fairly well, is descend, and wha-whoo!, barriers that you could come flying into. 46 of us started the combined Masters race. I did OK in the short prologue and then started drifting back a bit. I could see 3 guys ahead of me and with each lap I'd get just a bit closer. 1 of them was too far ahead (Mike Laub) for me to catch but I knew I could get the other 2. The leader came around me right at the finish line for the start of his last lap, so our race was shortened by 1 lap. On the climb up to the finish I got on the wheels of the 2 in front of me and waited. I made a bad turn on the 180% turn before the finish and thought I might not get it done. I passed the 1st guy easily and thought I just missed the second guy (Jay Downs). Turns out I did catch him. 30th out of 46 total, 13th out of 18 in my age group. Legs felt surprisingly good and was pretty happy with my race. It was one of my favorite courses this year. A shout out to Dan K for his weiner hand ups (which I politely refused) and his awesome pecan pie and coffee at the end (which I eagerly accepted). A pretty good end to my season.
    As for my season; I was A LOT leaner this year; 176 as I type this now and I was even down to as low as 174. I haven't been this lean since, well, I don't know when. It definitely makes a difference in your performance. I had fewer turns of bad luck (being in the wrong place at the wrong time) and mechanicals, although a dropped chain and rolled tubie cost me a bunch of places. The tubie cost me likely my best finish of the year at Fair Hill.  I only raced 8 races as opposed to 15 the previous year, but with my oldest daughter being in college now and not having as much $$ to blow on these things, you gotta cut back. I enjoyed the PA series races that I did and I FINALLY got to do Granogue. I'm making sure that's on my calender every year. Missed a lot of the MABRA races but did mostly PA series and MAC, which I really enjoyed. I'm already looking forward to next year. But for now, I'm taking it easy for a week or so, then I'll get the fixie out and think about starting weight training. But I may not do as much weights this year and instead do core excercises like pilates. I really don't need additional "mass".
   It was a weird season of sorts; some of my rivals/friends (Dave Tambeaux and Thor) either didn't race (Thor) or weren't doing as many (Dave) like myself, making things just different. Even though fields have grown significantly. Here's to a good off-season and some skiing perhaps then some road races. Just to get ready for next year.
As an addition; my cross results dot com points are now at 511. I may be on the verge of not sucking :-)

Fair Hill cross, Fair Hill MD

It was a new course for this race; same location, different course. I was expecting a grass crit. I was wrong. Lots of abrupt ups and downs, some elevation change, that coupled with a head wind, was a beast. Off camber stuff, some mud, a little bit of gravel, a big log, a run up, and a long start/finish straight. About 50 of us Masters B's went off (biknben, K-man) and headed up the hill. I was up with the 1st group for a while , then things slowed down through the off camber turns. A lot of them were only passable single file, and if you got behind someone with less skill than yourself, you were hosed (me). One really nasty one I chose to run; it was faster by far. My legs were not feeling especially good, but after things got sorted out a bit, I felt like I was in a decent position (for me). I was pretty much right. I kept swapping places with a couple of guys from Evolution racing; they'd get ahead of me on the back side of the course and I would pass them up the start/finish stretch. I had it all set in my mind as we went into the last lap; I'd keep them close then pass them at the end. One small problem, though; as I remounted after that nasty off camber turn, I didn't do it very smoothly and coupled with the fact that it was on the side of a hill, I rolled my rear tubie. I tried to get it back and at least finish. I was about to pack it in when I gave it one last try; I got it on. Took off and tried to regain as much ground as I could, but ran out of time. I lost at least 5 places, probably more, but still finished 35th out of 42, which, all things considered, I'll take.
Loved the new course; ranks right up there with Granogue and Rockville bridge in terms of difficulty but still really fun. I had my tires dialed in really well and found some good lines after a lap or so. Effing mechanicals. Oh well, that's cross!

Rockville Bridge Classic Weekend

Rockville Bridge Classic in Marysville, PA. 2 races, 2 days. Not a huge turnout but better than last year. It was a combined Masters field so I knew I was in for an azz whoopin. About 25 of us went off at the gun (ok, whistle) on Saturday. It was the "traditional loop", complete with a steep run up and stairs, more off-camber turns than I cared to count, and a fairly big power section. On the 1st trip over the barriers some relative neophyte to cross was right in back of me when I dismounted so I wound up kicking him. Apparently he was not pleased with this and let me know at the end. Not the best place to be in a cross race, dutch-bag. The really fast guys took off and I pulled away from him and 2 others. I wound up with a guy on my wheel for a while but managed to drop him with 2 to go. He eventually DNF'd. Got caught by the 2 leaders with about 1/3 lap to go, shortening my misery. 22nd of 24 (9th of 11 in my age group) but in that field I wasn't too disappointed. Mike G came out to watch and brought a few brewskies which were greatly appreciated. So much so that I spilled 1/2 of one on the back of his Land Rover... Day 2 was a smaller but still very formidable field, changed course; a bit shorter, too. Got there early and warmed up for about 45 minutes which was good since my legs were a bit sore. Got to heckle/encourage a fellow RBRer while warming up who was pleading for a beer handup. My buddy from the day before lined up next to me. After the start I hung on through most of the really twisty section (more than day 1) and decided to run a section of 2 logs and mulch into the stairs. I wound up making (or at least not losing) time by doing this. He and another guy and myself were together for about 4 laps; I led them for a couple and let my buddy go around me at one point so I could sit on his wheel for a while. Passed him on the power section and then bobbled going up a steep off camber losing my place to him and the other guy. Got back to them and again passed them at the finish line, this time for good. Wound up getting lapped by the top 5 a bit sooner but this was a shorter, faster course, so I wasn't surprised. Moved up 2 places from my Saturday finish, 6th out 0f 10, so I was happy with that and I got to beat "my buddy" who threatened "to get me" on Sunday. This was a fun, technical course on both days. I hope this race grows because it's a great venue with a fun, challenging course. Also met K-man (finally) on Saturday. Parked next to me. And beat me. Photos were free to all by Joe Mallis as a courteousy to the promotor since it was a "local" race.

Granogue, Day 2

Fall days don't get much better than Sunday was. Beautiful blue sky, cool temps. Great day for a cross race!
Had to get up at about 520am since the start was 930 rather than 10 am. Wassup wit dat? Anyway, it didn't matter; I hadn't slept much in the previous 2 nights and Sat night was no different. But once I got into race prep mode, all my tiredness just seemed to go away. Got there in time to get a decent warm up and a lap in. Really tough course. I lined up way back (as usual) and we headed of. At race speed the course seemed easier; it just kind of flowed. I saw Bob Kuhn from HUP ahead in the 1st couple of rows. The next time I would see him was when he lapped me...

I took some chances on the course and payed for it; went down 3x and lost my chain 2x. Got it back on once, but had to stop the second time right before the road section which really cost me time. Then my chain started jumping but it wasn't too bad. Since I was farther back than normal, I just kept picking guys off; my legs really felt good. Didn't matter, though. With about 1/3 lap left the 2 leaders caught me making my day shorter. At least one was a team mate :-) I wasn't paying attention on the finish road and 2-3 guys past me, which I never let happen, although, really, what's the difference between 71st and say, 68th in the grand scheme of things? At least I raced aggressive and had a good time. I also got to meet Bob Kuhn from HUP South East (?) and ran into Scott Rosenthall from HUP/Zanacato Racing; the guy you can thank/curse for my Blanco kit. I am definately making this a permanent stop on my cross racing calender.

The awesomeness of this cannot be overstated.

http://slonie.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/cx-comic/

Ugghh. 2 more weekends till my next race.

And I'm in a funk because of it. I rode yesterday but was too busy today with chores, etc. Don't feel like riding. Hopefully I'll get out of this and get to work when I have time over the weekend  and next week. I'm beginning to think that no matter how hard I train or how little I train, I'll still end up getting the same(ish) results, although, in general, I'm feeling better an I think I'm faster than last year. It's just tough making up ground when you're stuck in the back of the pack at the start. Oh well......

Ed Sander cross. Masters 3/4

 After chatting with c-lo (he parked right next to me), got warmed up on the trainer. Thor designed the course and told me it was the same, so I didn't pre-ride. Figured it would be fast, and it was. Lined up on the wrong side of mid-pack and just decided to peg it at the start to gain some places. I did just that and was in decent shape coming into the barriers, then headed into the ponds. No place to pass there so it was status-quo until the climb up to the back 9. It was there that I knew I had gone too hard at the start. Made it up and climbed the run-up where there was a cluster-f*ck of about 6 guys at the top. Ugghh. Finally remounted and took entirely the wrong line over to the steep run/ride-up; hit the tape and went down before it. More passed me. So much for my good start. Finally settled in and picked off a few; mostly on the descent and power sections.  I placed 68th out of 76 finishers, 97 startersand felt pretty good. Saw the carnage that c-lo stopped for; good on him and the others for helping him out. Thor kept giving me encouragement as I passed and it was good to see faces I hadn't seen since last yr. Beer and waffles on the back 9 made it a good day Photo by Joe Mallis.

Charm City Elite Masters

Due to family obligations, if i wanted to race at all, I would have to do the Elite Masters Race, cats 1-3. Not being delusional, I realized I would likely get my ass handed to me, but racing and getting thumped is better than not racing at all. What was nice that since the race started at 1:15, it gave me a chance to get a good night sleep, eat breakfast with my wife and youngest daughter, take her (my daughter) to work, then drive the hour drive to Bawlmer.
It was another gorgeous fall-like day, and since some of the larger races had cleared out, I had no trouble finding a good parking place and getting reg'ed up. I took  my time getting ready and warmed up, then headed over to pre-ride the course, as it was slightly different from the usual course. A guy who had just finished offered to show me the "good" lines. It helped.
Got a decent starting position considering I was in among some crazy fast guys, and we headed off at the gun. My legs didn't feel quite as good as Nittany, but this was a tougher course, so that may have impacted it, too. After hanging for a while, I settled towards the back and pushed as hard as I could. I kept hearing Dave Tambauux rooting for me at "the tree" which was nice. with a few laps to go I saw Jay Downs and another guy up ahead of me, and 2 guys were charging up on me (they had mechanicals), so I started pushing harder. It was not to be; with 2 laps to go and the leaders coming up on us, they pulled us. We decided that was "OK", as I and the other 2 guys were dying slow deaths.
All in all, I' finished 60th out of 63 finishers, so I'm pretty content with that. Next up is Sanders and I'm really hoping to do well there.

Well. That time has finally arrived!

Nittany Lion Cross in Trexlertown, PA. 1st UCI race of the year. I get there on a beautiful, coolish late summer morning. Registration goes quite easily (as compared to last year) and I get suited up in time to get a quick lap in. the course was pretty much the same as last year except they took away one trip through the roots and made a power section before it. I get a decent warm-up in and head off to the start. last freaking row. Ugghh. Dan managed to get a front row start; he must "know people" :-)
The light goes green (just like World's) and we head off. I tried to gain as much ground as I could but it was just too tight. I settled in and pretty much held my ground; I'd pass some guys and some would pass me. My Fangos were hooking up nice and were great over the root section. With about 2 laps or so to go I see Dan in front of me. I put the hammer down and keep gaining ground on him. With less than 1 lap to go I'm closing in when i hear "on your right" from one of the 55+ guys. Normally I let guys through but this was in the middle of some turns and I learned not to change my line in these cases. No matter, he passes and cuts in front of me, taking out my front wheel and sending me to the ground. I lose surprisingly little time but by then I was running out of real estate. I couldn't catch him.  wound up 65th out of 79; felt better than last year, finished better, and all in all had a better race. Maybe if i actually get a decent start I'll get decent results. I met Ian during my cool-down. he got 35th, I think. Decent results for HUP. Next up, Charm City.

I'm a dumbass and racing to "the Old Rugged cross"? WTF??

I'm getting my race wheels ready. Got 'em glued, look passable, get my 11-23 cassette to put on them. I'm down to the last cog and I notice that it says "11t, 9s". WTF?? So THAT'S why this never fits quite right! Out there is some person who purchased a Sram 9s cassette from me and has a 10s 11t cog on it. Oh well.....
Anyway, I head down to "Bird In Hand" (really-that's the name of the town. Next is "Intercourse". You can't make this shit up). Get there for the Smoketown airport crit. Beautiful day, well organized event with food and registration that is convenient and good. Organized by the International Christian Cycling Club. Good mix of music over the PA system when I hear "the Old Rugged Cross" hymn blaring. I guess I should've expected it. I remark to the guy parked next to met hat that was my dream. Anyway....
I saw Kevin B there. It's his 1st time ON THE BIKE THIS YR. (He does rowing as cross training.) Course is on the runway and not really flat. Windy as crap, esp up the finish straight. We do a rolling start; I am not  afan; I get stuck near the back and since there is a narrow "S" turn before the back downhillish straight, I'm doing all I can to catch up to the pack. Doesn't last long; I get pulled. Kevin gets pulled 1 lap later. Oh well; it's training for cross......
Give me a month and I should be in the thick of it. I hope.

1st race of the yr...

Turkey Hill Country Classic. Road race consisting of a 6ish mile long rolling lap. We (masters 50+/60+) did 4 laps. Hot day. I brought plenty of water/gatorade. Got there with plenty of time to warm up. Got a nice 30 minute warm up in and then headed down to the staging area. had my pre-race gel and Red Bull. Didn't bring any more gel as it was only 25 miles, so no worries, right? Well. We waited. And waited. About 30 minutes later we went off. I was able to stay near the front of the pack; felt pretty good for most of 2 laps. Then the lights went out. On the long climb going to the finish line I lost energy and couldn't keep up with the pack. I was screwed. Dying many deaths I finally finished. Those last 2 laps were painful, but good in a way. This really is training for me and you never push yourself as hard as you do in a race so that was good. Plus, these guys have been racing for several months and this was my 1st race this year, so I'm not too disappointed. I know I wasn't DFL (whew!) but the results still aren't up. Had to get out of there in a hurry. Finished and downed anything wet and or sweet I could get my hands on as I just about passed out at the finish. It wasn't puking, but that's got to count for something, right?

Slowly but surely.

I'm into my 1st interval session of the season. 2x20's. Went really hard yesterday; today is an off day. Cleaned the house. Yay. Working towards being ready for the Turkey Hill classic May 1. I was going to do a crit next Saturday, but changed my mind. I'll get out and do the World Cup Hammerfest tomorrow am. Hate to get up that early on my weekend but I need to do more fast group rides and that is one of my few options. Besides; I'll sleep when I'm dead.

Ouch. that was hard.

That was purely unintentional

I've gained weight this winter. Not unusual. More than last year. I'm officially now getting serious about it. But I have some conflicting info; my bf % is down, close to where it usually is during racing season. Could I have put on some muscle (we're not talking  a lot, 2-3 lbs over 3 months or so)? It seems that it might be so. I "feel" lean; my training rides thus far have felt good and I'm not struggling too much climbing, as I usually do at this point, even though I'm carrying 5-10 extra lbs. My plan is to start some intervals later this month and do some early season crits and a few this summer; more than last year.

 As they say, " in order to ride fast, you have to ride fast". Here's hoping!

Today it was 60F and I didn't ride. House work. that took an ENORMOUS amount of self-control. No worries; tomorrow promises to be nice, too.

 

I'm starting to get "cabinet fever"

re, skiing is a great way to spend winter outdoors. I love flying down the hill at speed. That said, my training doesn't seem as tedious as it did the last several yrs. Still, I need to ride outside. Soon. Hopefully I'll get out this Monday, President's day.I just need to HTFU and do it.

This is how bored I am at work right now and now much I miss cross; I'm going thru youtube, looking at cross videos. Sigh..............

Yep kids. It's another cross race in Feb!

I've been pretty much keeping with the program this yr. Lifting more than last; running more, and quiete by accident, riding more. The weather hasn't been great but things are just kind of working out.
Anyway, about the race; SS "Superbowl" in College Pk MD, again. This yr I'm doing the SS race. Hey. It's a 2:20p start time! I'll be using my POS old Gitane that I train on for cross and use as a fixie. Just swapped out bars and the seat, put new brake cables and housing on her, and she's set to go. It's a training cross ride tomorrow so I'll see how she feels with the new seat and saddle.

Don't be this guy.

As some of you may know, besides riding and racing my bikes, I love to ski. Downhill. Fast, usually. I'll ski most anything as long as it's not too ridiculously moguled up; I sucks on the bumps. Anyway; New Year's day had me on the slopes at Roundtop with my girls. They can now ski almost anything I can. I never dragged them onto slopes they couldn't handle; I let them decide. On the way up the chair on one of the 2 "Expert" trails we see this dad, out with his daughter, who can't be more than 5 or 6, on this slope, more or less dragging her down it. What an idiot. Sure isn't going to help her; probably scared the shit out of her. So, if you're a dad (most moms wouldn't do this, I suspect; it's a dude thing), DON'T effing do this to your kid! Be a sport. Wait until they're ready. Then they'll soon be kicking YOUR ass on the slopes.