Hello howling wind
Pushing pedals in the cold
Goodbye summer rides
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Super Dave
Yeah, you know who I am taking about.
I met Dave briefly at Hains Point near the end of the Summer in 2007, and by met, I really mean he came flying past me in the sprint like an Olymic runner passes a three year old. I had no ideal that this would be a common occurrence at the training races on Wednesdays - a true premonition. I had been warned by a teammate at the first Tradezone race to avoid it coming down to a sprint with him, and luckily that race came down to a break.
Greenbelt #1. I had rode the course a couple of weeks before, and decided I hated it because of that hill. I preregistered for the whole year, so I was going to do it most every week I was in town, and just deal with it. When I got there before the start of the first race I was impressed with how many people were their, and I knew then, despite that hill, this was going to be fun. When we were lined up, I remember looking around and thinking if I didn't manage to get away I would fair well in the sprint. I did manage to get away with a small group - that included Dave Osbourne. When our small group went into the sprint I thought I had it, then POP! Dave got me at the line. Where the hell did he come from!
Greenbelt #2. OK, this time the field was a little bigger - and it included Dave. I remember thinking the chances of him doing that to me twice were pretty slim, but just in case, if he was with me I was going to jump earlier and try to hold him off with a big gap. Like the first race, their was a small group of us off the front, and of course it included Dave. I felt confident, I had my plan. On the last lap, I launched real early into the sprint, and got a huge gap. One quick glance over my shoulder and I was sure I had it. Just before the line POP! Dave got me AGAIN!!! Where the hell did he come from!!
Greenbelt #3. Now I know, on this course I probably need to avoid sprinting with Dave. New plan, use everything I have to make a break succeed that does not include him. Only problem was I had just finished a pretty hard road race and an NRC Crit a few days before, so I was going to be pretty dependent on whoever was in the break with me. The break ended up being Ramone, some other strong dude and myself. I was sore to begin with and Ramone was tearing my legs off, and then suggesting for me to pull through harder/faster. I thought I was pulling through harder/faster! OK, maybe I wasn't going all out cause I was getting greedy and wanted to win our sprint. When we started sprinting, I thought I had it, then out of nowhere the front of the pack comes flying by and Dave wins. Where the hell did he come from!!!
When I was in town, I did manage to win some Greenbelts, but more often than not they ended up being some variation of 1,2 or 3. Don't get em wrong though, Dave is a really nice guy but AAARGHHH!!!! I'll get you next year Dave, NEXT Year!
I met Dave briefly at Hains Point near the end of the Summer in 2007, and by met, I really mean he came flying past me in the sprint like an Olymic runner passes a three year old. I had no ideal that this would be a common occurrence at the training races on Wednesdays - a true premonition. I had been warned by a teammate at the first Tradezone race to avoid it coming down to a sprint with him, and luckily that race came down to a break.
Greenbelt #1. I had rode the course a couple of weeks before, and decided I hated it because of that hill. I preregistered for the whole year, so I was going to do it most every week I was in town, and just deal with it. When I got there before the start of the first race I was impressed with how many people were their, and I knew then, despite that hill, this was going to be fun. When we were lined up, I remember looking around and thinking if I didn't manage to get away I would fair well in the sprint. I did manage to get away with a small group - that included Dave Osbourne. When our small group went into the sprint I thought I had it, then POP! Dave got me at the line. Where the hell did he come from!
Greenbelt #2. OK, this time the field was a little bigger - and it included Dave. I remember thinking the chances of him doing that to me twice were pretty slim, but just in case, if he was with me I was going to jump earlier and try to hold him off with a big gap. Like the first race, their was a small group of us off the front, and of course it included Dave. I felt confident, I had my plan. On the last lap, I launched real early into the sprint, and got a huge gap. One quick glance over my shoulder and I was sure I had it. Just before the line POP! Dave got me AGAIN!!! Where the hell did he come from!!
Greenbelt #3. Now I know, on this course I probably need to avoid sprinting with Dave. New plan, use everything I have to make a break succeed that does not include him. Only problem was I had just finished a pretty hard road race and an NRC Crit a few days before, so I was going to be pretty dependent on whoever was in the break with me. The break ended up being Ramone, some other strong dude and myself. I was sore to begin with and Ramone was tearing my legs off, and then suggesting for me to pull through harder/faster. I thought I was pulling through harder/faster! OK, maybe I wasn't going all out cause I was getting greedy and wanted to win our sprint. When we started sprinting, I thought I had it, then out of nowhere the front of the pack comes flying by and Dave wins. Where the hell did he come from!!!
When I was in town, I did manage to win some Greenbelts, but more often than not they ended up being some variation of 1,2 or 3. Don't get em wrong though, Dave is a really nice guy but AAARGHHH!!!! I'll get you next year Dave, NEXT Year!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Reason # 38...
...not to wear headphones while riding your road bike.
Let's say you happen to be riding with headphones on, techno ticking and your grooving when you decide to dive off the road, ditch traffic and hit the single track. Maybe when the dirt trail your following hits a gravel road you notice a dark sedan with tinted windows and there is a guy with dark shades talking to you, possible yelling at you. You think to your self 'that was odd', - but you keep going, your single tracking it on a road bike, feeling good and the beats are hitting. Suddenly (now remember, I am just saying 'what if'), but suddenly you notice a group of riders way ahead of you. Then a few of the riders swing off of the group, and head your way, all sporting short hair cuts and dark shades. Perhaps before you even realize what is going on you are escorted to a police cruiser on the highway, out of the woods much faster than you entered. What if the MP that is at the cruiser suggests that you may have almost caught up to the President out mountain biking.
I am not saying that this very uncomfortable situation happened today at around 9am, I am just saying it could happen...if you wear headphones while riding.
Let's say you happen to be riding with headphones on, techno ticking and your grooving when you decide to dive off the road, ditch traffic and hit the single track. Maybe when the dirt trail your following hits a gravel road you notice a dark sedan with tinted windows and there is a guy with dark shades talking to you, possible yelling at you. You think to your self 'that was odd', - but you keep going, your single tracking it on a road bike, feeling good and the beats are hitting. Suddenly (now remember, I am just saying 'what if'), but suddenly you notice a group of riders way ahead of you. Then a few of the riders swing off of the group, and head your way, all sporting short hair cuts and dark shades. Perhaps before you even realize what is going on you are escorted to a police cruiser on the highway, out of the woods much faster than you entered. What if the MP that is at the cruiser suggests that you may have almost caught up to the President out mountain biking.
I am not saying that this very uncomfortable situation happened today at around 9am, I am just saying it could happen...if you wear headphones while riding.
Friday, October 24, 2008
How to Attack.......on a Big Wheel
Paris and Sol (my two youngest boys) racing. Took it with my phone, so it's a bit grainy - but it illustrates the proper way to throw the "look" at the competition as you pass them effortlessly. The "look" is a great way to gain the advantage in the head game of a race, especially when your smiling (not demonstrated here).
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Training Camp - Last Year part 2
When we all woke up the next morning it was like a mini Christmas, new gear and a huge breakfast and soon the 12 or so of us were out the door sporting the new all white Harley kits. Cool, I have been off for all of these years and I am right back onto a real team again,
If you haven't been to Jay's Lost River Barn, it is on top of a hill with a really long climb on one side and a really steep climb on the other. I had not been in the hills since 1999 or 2000 or something, so on the first decent I was hella sketchy. I'm pretty sure I was more scared than my teammates who were passing my on the right and left every safe chance they got. When we got to flat land I was relieved. I have no problems descending now, just a little rusty at first and it is fun again.
We rode in twos for miles and dared not break from the very close-well organized formation or risk having Russ choke some one out for making the team look sloppy. With my sketchy decent behind me, everything was dandy as we rode along in formation with every one talking giving me a chance to introduce myself. Good times and then....
.....what goes down must go up. First we hit the gravel - which was no problem. I should have known bad things were in the brew when it got quiet and the pace picked up. We rounded a bend and wolla! a gravel climb. Who makes the first climb at a training camp a gravel one! At least it was pretty. About 20 feet into the climb I think I was maxed out. I watched EVERYONE disapear into the distance. My 187 lbs body (During the season I was mid 140s) lumbered up the climb followed by the sound of van tires. Tom and a mechanic were following us.
After I crested and begain the descent I passed three or four guys fixing a flat on the side of the road. They had everything and Tom was behind so I bombed the gravel desent knowing now it won't look like I was the last guy over. Most of the rest of the day was rollers and we rode through it pretty steady.
When we were getting closer to the cabin some of us were driving it single file, including Russ. I should have known something was up when Russ stopped pulling. I remember hearing him yell "go left here, the cabins at the top" or something like that. This is the climb everyone says to have a 27, or at least a 25 for. It is steep and long. After everone disapeared again, I think the only part of my body that got a work out was my arm - holding onto the van.
That was Day 1 ridding with the team, I can't believe they didn't kick me off!
If you haven't been to Jay's Lost River Barn, it is on top of a hill with a really long climb on one side and a really steep climb on the other. I had not been in the hills since 1999 or 2000 or something, so on the first decent I was hella sketchy. I'm pretty sure I was more scared than my teammates who were passing my on the right and left every safe chance they got. When we got to flat land I was relieved. I have no problems descending now, just a little rusty at first and it is fun again.
We rode in twos for miles and dared not break from the very close-well organized formation or risk having Russ choke some one out for making the team look sloppy. With my sketchy decent behind me, everything was dandy as we rode along in formation with every one talking giving me a chance to introduce myself. Good times and then....
.....what goes down must go up. First we hit the gravel - which was no problem. I should have known bad things were in the brew when it got quiet and the pace picked up. We rounded a bend and wolla! a gravel climb. Who makes the first climb at a training camp a gravel one! At least it was pretty. About 20 feet into the climb I think I was maxed out. I watched EVERYONE disapear into the distance. My 187 lbs body (During the season I was mid 140s) lumbered up the climb followed by the sound of van tires. Tom and a mechanic were following us.
After I crested and begain the descent I passed three or four guys fixing a flat on the side of the road. They had everything and Tom was behind so I bombed the gravel desent knowing now it won't look like I was the last guy over. Most of the rest of the day was rollers and we rode through it pretty steady.
When we were getting closer to the cabin some of us were driving it single file, including Russ. I should have known something was up when Russ stopped pulling. I remember hearing him yell "go left here, the cabins at the top" or something like that. This is the climb everyone says to have a 27, or at least a 25 for. It is steep and long. After everone disapeared again, I think the only part of my body that got a work out was my arm - holding onto the van.
That was Day 1 ridding with the team, I can't believe they didn't kick me off!
Training Camp - Last Year part 1
Last year at this time I was feeling pretty lucky. I had been picked up by Battley Harley although I had not raced for 8 years or so and had only been in the bike for about six months since 2000. I guess what had gotten me on the team was an introduction from Eli, a pretty good although outdated resume and probably most important was support from Dave Fuentes who I knew from the 90's in California.
At first I think Tom Buzas our team director thought I was a flake because every team function I should have attended I missed due to Army stuff, doctors appointments and a variety of what may have seemed to be random excuses. I felt like if I did not make it to something I would get kicked off this team before I even raced! Finally it came down to a "mandatory" training camp before Jeff Cup.
Knowing the verdict was still out on what kind of racer I was, before the training camp, I tried to get some miles in and even a few races so I wouldn't suck so bad in front of my new team. I even did the Tradezone training races and a Cold Toes training race (I was the guy with the black jersey and the triple). I guess I should have hit some climbs, but I had no ideal how hilly would be at the camp.
Our training camp was at Jay's Lost River Barn in West Virginia. I arrived by myself around midnight and couldn't tell which cabin belonged to which address. I figured I would drive by each one of three and try and decide which one looked most like the picture on the Internet and knock. Unfortunately in the dark all three looked the same and there were no bikes in front of any of them. One cabin had a steep dirt hill that I had to get a running start and four wheel drive to get back up. I was hoping that all of my noise and commotion would alert whoever I was meeting and happen to not wake up the residents of the other houses. Finally I got out of the car and approached one cabin. No one answered when I knocked, but the door was part way open and I could see a bicycle helmet. When I went in, I could see Jose and Yamil trying to sleep while DeWald had God knows what blasting on the TV and on his Lap Top (he also had some stray dog hanging out with him that had come scratching on the door). Russ approched me with a 'who the hell are you' look on his face and told me I was staying in the cabin down the hill. I then left and proceeded to wake up the wrong household (sorry Jay). The lady inside, once she had calmed her minions of barking dogs, told me it was the other cabin. When I got my running start to get back up the hill, I almost hit one of her dogs (sorry Jay) but luckily avoided it by going over her lawn (sorry Jay).
When I finally got to the right house I found out from Evan, Brian and Todd that Russ was messing with me - my stuff and bed were at the main house. I let them get back to there techno party moved Kecks stuff off his bed and went to sleep.
At first I think Tom Buzas our team director thought I was a flake because every team function I should have attended I missed due to Army stuff, doctors appointments and a variety of what may have seemed to be random excuses. I felt like if I did not make it to something I would get kicked off this team before I even raced! Finally it came down to a "mandatory" training camp before Jeff Cup.
Knowing the verdict was still out on what kind of racer I was, before the training camp, I tried to get some miles in and even a few races so I wouldn't suck so bad in front of my new team. I even did the Tradezone training races and a Cold Toes training race (I was the guy with the black jersey and the triple). I guess I should have hit some climbs, but I had no ideal how hilly would be at the camp.
Our training camp was at Jay's Lost River Barn in West Virginia. I arrived by myself around midnight and couldn't tell which cabin belonged to which address. I figured I would drive by each one of three and try and decide which one looked most like the picture on the Internet and knock. Unfortunately in the dark all three looked the same and there were no bikes in front of any of them. One cabin had a steep dirt hill that I had to get a running start and four wheel drive to get back up. I was hoping that all of my noise and commotion would alert whoever I was meeting and happen to not wake up the residents of the other houses. Finally I got out of the car and approached one cabin. No one answered when I knocked, but the door was part way open and I could see a bicycle helmet. When I went in, I could see Jose and Yamil trying to sleep while DeWald had God knows what blasting on the TV and on his Lap Top (he also had some stray dog hanging out with him that had come scratching on the door). Russ approched me with a 'who the hell are you' look on his face and told me I was staying in the cabin down the hill. I then left and proceeded to wake up the wrong household (sorry Jay). The lady inside, once she had calmed her minions of barking dogs, told me it was the other cabin. When I got my running start to get back up the hill, I almost hit one of her dogs (sorry Jay) but luckily avoided it by going over her lawn (sorry Jay).
When I finally got to the right house I found out from Evan, Brian and Todd that Russ was messing with me - my stuff and bed were at the main house. I let them get back to there techno party moved Kecks stuff off his bed and went to sleep.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
News...
Well, if you haven't heard, my teammate Russ has a blog now. I can't wait to see it, just don't know where it is. If you comment on his blog though, make sure to let him know you saw mine first and your glad to see he is trying to be just like me. Just kidding, but not really, so tell him that.
In other news, I get to write a piece on GAMJAMS about attacking. To think, this time last year I was reading that site to try to figure out the racing scene here, and now I get to write something for it. Cool. Funny part about this is that when I told Eli Hengst and Art Brown I get to write this they asked me who I was going to interview as a subject matter expert. Ha! Whatever!
I found a cool Sunday ride. It's been around for about 17 years or so I heard, but is new to me. Starts at a coffee shop (perfect), pretty cool collection of riders (perfect), great conversation and we laughed a lot while going easy (perfect for this time of year).
Late
In other news, I get to write a piece on GAMJAMS about attacking. To think, this time last year I was reading that site to try to figure out the racing scene here, and now I get to write something for it. Cool. Funny part about this is that when I told Eli Hengst and Art Brown I get to write this they asked me who I was going to interview as a subject matter expert. Ha! Whatever!
I found a cool Sunday ride. It's been around for about 17 years or so I heard, but is new to me. Starts at a coffee shop (perfect), pretty cool collection of riders (perfect), great conversation and we laughed a lot while going easy (perfect for this time of year).
Late
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Yeah!
Well. today was a day to remember, and a great way to start my blog. At 4:30 am this morning when I got to work I got the email I had been waiting for, one from the US Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) which I have been waiting forever for. The suspense was killing me. First I clicked on the email (which took too long to open) only to find out the desicion was in a pdf file. Then I clicked on the pdf (which took too long to open) and POW! The answer.... "DENIED". My heart sank. No matter how many times I read the letter it still said "DENIED".
I thought I was in for sure. I based my assumption on comparing my results with members of other services who were in the program because the Army does not have any cyclists in WCAP. Since they do not have any cyclist in WCAP, they said their basis for the decision was that USA Cycling did not think I would make the 2012 Olimpic Team. Ok, fair enough.
Good news is I plan on re-enlisting for a bunch more years! Well, mabye that's not real good news - but what is is that I will be in DC for at least another year, which means I will stay on Harley. I really like racing in the Mid-Atlantic, and now I have done most of the races once and know the competition so there will be no surprises. I called Tom, our race director, to see if I still have a spot on the team and he said I did - but I barely made the cut.
Last thing - I can't wait to start training. I took some time off earlier this month and then started putting the base miles in. It did not seem like I lost any fitness so I am taking an additional week off. I will be back on Thur or Fri so see you at the point one of those days. Late
I thought I was in for sure. I based my assumption on comparing my results with members of other services who were in the program because the Army does not have any cyclists in WCAP. Since they do not have any cyclist in WCAP, they said their basis for the decision was that USA Cycling did not think I would make the 2012 Olimpic Team. Ok, fair enough.
Good news is I plan on re-enlisting for a bunch more years! Well, mabye that's not real good news - but what is is that I will be in DC for at least another year, which means I will stay on Harley. I really like racing in the Mid-Atlantic, and now I have done most of the races once and know the competition so there will be no surprises. I called Tom, our race director, to see if I still have a spot on the team and he said I did - but I barely made the cut.
Last thing - I can't wait to start training. I took some time off earlier this month and then started putting the base miles in. It did not seem like I lost any fitness so I am taking an additional week off. I will be back on Thur or Fri so see you at the point one of those days. Late
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