Sunday, June 11, 2006
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Movin' Up-date
Well, it's over. The Wisconsin State RR in spring prairie and it was quite a day. Finn would say I careered it (up a hill even). Here's how it unfolded: Baur drove down last night and spent the night because today was his first race. I gave him the tour of Waukesha, my involvment with the city anyway, and we made pasta with tomatoes. Woke up this morning and had a decent breakfast of eggs and cold pasta and started in on the first of 3 power bars. The race we were looking at was 6 laps with a total distance of 39 miles. There was only one section of flat and that was dead into a wind that hovered between 12-18 mph all day. The rest of the course had uphill rollers and a pretty decent decent as well as an approx. 1000 ft climb at 10-12% (I am unsure) that was quite difficult. On my saturday ride with my team for the first time Jeff T. attacked and I stuck on his wheel and then snuck around him; this was the strategy I used today... I'm pretty sure the field was somewhere in the mid fifties to low sixties, all cat 4/5. I think I might have trained too hard all week with tuesday at Hartland (55 miles at least but my heart screwed up at the end, I think it was nutrition, and then another 60 the next day for the DD ride) and then took thursday off, easy 1.5 on Friday and I felt just a little fatigued. All day my legs didn't feel all that fast, I felt like I was working quite hard the entire race even though I maybe only was out front pulling for oh 4 minutes total... Well there were some early foolish attacks and Brian did a good job of keeping me out of the wind for the first half lap. On the rolling/spun-out descent we lost contact when I moved to the front.
On the front a bunch of guys from Endeavor were hanging out as well as the two Team-Wisconsin guys, one of them, Tony, is pretty strong and we usually mix it up on the tuesday and wednesday rides. However, one guy from Team Metric worked pretty much the entire race, very few people pulled through for him and he tried to break away 4 different times. I was in his 3rd break with about 7 other guys and we didnt work together that well so we got reeled in after about 6 minutes off the front; we probably had no more than thirty seconds on the peloton. In classic style I either text-booked on the front when I had to be there or just simply sat in anywhere from 4th to 40th wheel. On the final climb, the thousand-footer, I just let myself get passed, but not too badly, climbing at my own pace. By the fourth lap it was pretty apparent where work was necessary and where the bunch would just come back together by itself. Still, it was a pretty fast armchair ride at parts, avg hr was 161 for 1:39 minutes. We averaged at least 23 mph. Didnt realize that, sheesh. I was sitting about 12 as we came around the final corner and I just stayed in my bigring and hauled it up.
Quote of the day: "this is your race and you're losing it"
I passed the leader, a guy from Endeavor who had that quote yelled at him. who would eventually take second place, near the top of the hill and sat down to recover somewhat. I looked back and saw that he had started his sprint and was about 12 bikelengths back, so I got back out of my saddle and just hammered it in for the win, taking the Cat 4/5 WI state championship. It felt so good to finally give it my all on the final climp and just slip past everyone. At the podium the 3rd place guy said he was on my wheel but got boxed in as I was dropping him. Endeavor finished at 5" and 3rd at 8".
This means a few things:
My team cleaned up. John Van Susteren, team captain soloed for 4 laps in the 30+ category for a win by 1'50 over the second place solost and John Voigt, the initial team leader took fifth but first in his age category (30+, Van Susteren is 44 and so won the 35+ sub category as well) which means at least three state jerseys.
And I cat up to 4. John says I could become a 2 by the end of summer if I work toward it, 3 for sure. Superweek starts July 6th and I plan on pulling down some top fives there in the 4/5 race and then catting up afterward to finish out the summer.
That and I really need to clean my room finally...
On the front a bunch of guys from Endeavor were hanging out as well as the two Team-Wisconsin guys, one of them, Tony, is pretty strong and we usually mix it up on the tuesday and wednesday rides. However, one guy from Team Metric worked pretty much the entire race, very few people pulled through for him and he tried to break away 4 different times. I was in his 3rd break with about 7 other guys and we didnt work together that well so we got reeled in after about 6 minutes off the front; we probably had no more than thirty seconds on the peloton. In classic style I either text-booked on the front when I had to be there or just simply sat in anywhere from 4th to 40th wheel. On the final climb, the thousand-footer, I just let myself get passed, but not too badly, climbing at my own pace. By the fourth lap it was pretty apparent where work was necessary and where the bunch would just come back together by itself. Still, it was a pretty fast armchair ride at parts, avg hr was 161 for 1:39 minutes. We averaged at least 23 mph. Didnt realize that, sheesh. I was sitting about 12 as we came around the final corner and I just stayed in my bigring and hauled it up.
Quote of the day: "this is your race and you're losing it"
I passed the leader, a guy from Endeavor who had that quote yelled at him. who would eventually take second place, near the top of the hill and sat down to recover somewhat. I looked back and saw that he had started his sprint and was about 12 bikelengths back, so I got back out of my saddle and just hammered it in for the win, taking the Cat 4/5 WI state championship. It felt so good to finally give it my all on the final climp and just slip past everyone. At the podium the 3rd place guy said he was on my wheel but got boxed in as I was dropping him. Endeavor finished at 5" and 3rd at 8".
This means a few things:
My team cleaned up. John Van Susteren, team captain soloed for 4 laps in the 30+ category for a win by 1'50 over the second place solost and John Voigt, the initial team leader took fifth but first in his age category (30+, Van Susteren is 44 and so won the 35+ sub category as well) which means at least three state jerseys.
And I cat up to 4. John says I could become a 2 by the end of summer if I work toward it, 3 for sure. Superweek starts July 6th and I plan on pulling down some top fives there in the 4/5 race and then catting up afterward to finish out the summer.
That and I really need to clean my room finally...
Sunday, June 04, 2006
On Form
Reading Peter's blog has reminded of that wonderful feeling that indicates progress. The end of the school year involved light riding and rest, but this summer, getting home and just killing it has been great so far.
I must hang my head today as I did not get out and ride, but spent the day with my Dad out at the boat yard cleaning the bottom of the sail boat and visiting my grandmother afterwards. It's all right I suppose, tonight I just might stretch and do some core work. Monday'll be an easy 2-3 hours, Tuesday 100k hard and Wedneday probaly the same. Thursday easy and friday not at all: the state championship comes June 10th.
Yesterday was my first team ride, and there were six of us. Apparently I am the youngest guy on the team; most of the guys are either masters 1/2/3 or 1/2 and there are some very fast women as well. I set out with Jon (team leader), Jeff, Rick, Tom, another Jon to ride the parts of the state road course and tour the hills around alpine valley. If only there were mountains... Initially I was pretty nervous about performing well despite it being a group ride (not without KOM's and Stop Ahead sprints). It almost all rollers of varying length, I think the longest climb back out of the valley was maybe 4 minutes tops. Before we left, Jon gave me my shorts, so now I have a complete kit and he offered me gloves as well, but i've already got the identical set. I appreciate how color-coordinated our team is, Despite the absence of white (sorry Finn) we still look fast which is what, half the battle no? We're blue and silver/grey, the kind of discovery blue. Nonetheless, I was able to stick with my guys the entire ride, including some very generous pulls. Three favorite moments: 1: the first sprint jumped at this little town named Lyons where one of the 10 superweek events will be held. Rick, Jon, and Jeff went and gapped the rest of us. I stood up and not only chased back on but passed on the left, crossing the yellow line, whoops, and managed to take the sign by a half a bike lenght from 6 bikes back initially. When we stopped for cokes in glass bottles at a small mom and pop store the guys laughed and said that I should be made a 2 and have done with it. 2: on one of the corners of the state RR Jeff attacked up this 10% hill, it's a 1000ft hill and it goes up 100 ft. I pulled around John and stuck on his wheel and then "counter" attacked in the last third (Brian arent you proud?) and just pulled Jeff the rest of the way up the hill. It felt good to match the attack and I recovered fairly well. 3rd: More rollers. Near the end of the ride, we took the road called Nature Rd. it was fairly winding and had short STEEP rollers. I attacked on the first one and over the next two I couldnt see my team mates, they eventually caught me when I slowed two hills later and when I looked back it was awesome to see my team working together to reel me in. I fucking love team and team-work. I pipped Jeff and one sign and we turned at the stop when our team went straight; we had to catch them and after we corrected our turn, I worked for Jeff to chase him back on. I must say, domestiqueing gives one a new kind of energy and you don't get all that tired...
Just read finn's blog, that ride sounded great.
Post ride, the 6 of us had pasta salad at Jon's house and he tossed me my first skinsuit. I must say, skinsuits are pretty fucking raw. Jon run's our main sponsor, Lakes Area Physical Therapy and therefore, all our gear is free. In addition we are sponsored by the Bicycle Doctor, in Dousman, WI. It's quite a respectable shop, just might get the Giro Atmos in Discovery colors to match my teammates, like Peter says, I really only spend money on food and anything bike related, even a bit unnecessarily. Maybe I'll even get those Zipp 404's...
Upcoming Races:
June 10th:WI State RR, Spring Prairie
June 17th:LAPT Crit, Madison, WI
June 24th: UWW Crit/RR, Whitwater, WI
July 4th: MN State Crit, Northfield
I must hang my head today as I did not get out and ride, but spent the day with my Dad out at the boat yard cleaning the bottom of the sail boat and visiting my grandmother afterwards. It's all right I suppose, tonight I just might stretch and do some core work. Monday'll be an easy 2-3 hours, Tuesday 100k hard and Wedneday probaly the same. Thursday easy and friday not at all: the state championship comes June 10th.
Yesterday was my first team ride, and there were six of us. Apparently I am the youngest guy on the team; most of the guys are either masters 1/2/3 or 1/2 and there are some very fast women as well. I set out with Jon (team leader), Jeff, Rick, Tom, another Jon to ride the parts of the state road course and tour the hills around alpine valley. If only there were mountains... Initially I was pretty nervous about performing well despite it being a group ride (not without KOM's and Stop Ahead sprints). It almost all rollers of varying length, I think the longest climb back out of the valley was maybe 4 minutes tops. Before we left, Jon gave me my shorts, so now I have a complete kit and he offered me gloves as well, but i've already got the identical set. I appreciate how color-coordinated our team is, Despite the absence of white (sorry Finn) we still look fast which is what, half the battle no? We're blue and silver/grey, the kind of discovery blue. Nonetheless, I was able to stick with my guys the entire ride, including some very generous pulls. Three favorite moments: 1: the first sprint jumped at this little town named Lyons where one of the 10 superweek events will be held. Rick, Jon, and Jeff went and gapped the rest of us. I stood up and not only chased back on but passed on the left, crossing the yellow line, whoops, and managed to take the sign by a half a bike lenght from 6 bikes back initially. When we stopped for cokes in glass bottles at a small mom and pop store the guys laughed and said that I should be made a 2 and have done with it. 2: on one of the corners of the state RR Jeff attacked up this 10% hill, it's a 1000ft hill and it goes up 100 ft. I pulled around John and stuck on his wheel and then "counter" attacked in the last third (Brian arent you proud?) and just pulled Jeff the rest of the way up the hill. It felt good to match the attack and I recovered fairly well. 3rd: More rollers. Near the end of the ride, we took the road called Nature Rd. it was fairly winding and had short STEEP rollers. I attacked on the first one and over the next two I couldnt see my team mates, they eventually caught me when I slowed two hills later and when I looked back it was awesome to see my team working together to reel me in. I fucking love team and team-work. I pipped Jeff and one sign and we turned at the stop when our team went straight; we had to catch them and after we corrected our turn, I worked for Jeff to chase him back on. I must say, domestiqueing gives one a new kind of energy and you don't get all that tired...
Just read finn's blog, that ride sounded great.
Post ride, the 6 of us had pasta salad at Jon's house and he tossed me my first skinsuit. I must say, skinsuits are pretty fucking raw. Jon run's our main sponsor, Lakes Area Physical Therapy and therefore, all our gear is free. In addition we are sponsored by the Bicycle Doctor, in Dousman, WI. It's quite a respectable shop, just might get the Giro Atmos in Discovery colors to match my teammates, like Peter says, I really only spend money on food and anything bike related, even a bit unnecessarily. Maybe I'll even get those Zipp 404's...
Upcoming Races:
June 10th:WI State RR, Spring Prairie
June 17th:LAPT Crit, Madison, WI
June 24th: UWW Crit/RR, Whitwater, WI
July 4th: MN State Crit, Northfield
On Form
Reading Peter's blog has reminded of that wonderful feeling that indicates progress. The end of the school year involved light riding and rest, but this summer, getting home and just killing it has been great so far.
I must hang my head today as I did not get out and ride, but spent the day with my Dad out at the boat yard cleaning the bottom of the sail boat and visiting my grandmother afterwards. It's all right I suppose, tonight I just might stretch and do some core work. Monday'll be an easy 2-3 hours, Tuesday 100k hard and Wedneday probaly the same. Thursday easy and friday not at all: the state championship comes June 10th.
Yesterday was my first team ride, and there were six of us. Apparently I am the youngest guy on the team; most of the guys are either masters 1/2/3 or 1/2 and there are some very fast women as well. I set out with Jon (team leader), Jeff, Rick, Tom, another Jon to ride the parts of the state road course and tour the hills around alpine valley. If only there were mountains... Initially I was pretty nervous about performing well despite it being a group ride (not without KOM's and Stop Ahead sprints). It almost all rollers of varying length, I think the longest climb back out of the valley was maybe 4 minutes tops. Before we left, Jon gave me my shorts, so now I have a complete kit and he offered me gloves as well, but i've already got the identical set. I appreciate how color-coordinated our team is, Despite the absence of white (sorry Finn) we still look fast which is what, half the battle no? We're blue and silver/grey, the kind of discovery blue. Nonetheless, I was able to stick with my guys the entire ride, including some very generous pulls. Three favorite moments: 1: the first sprint jumped at this little town named Lyons where one of the 10 superweek events will be held. Rick, Jon, and Jeff went and gapped the rest of us. I stood up and not only chased back on but passed on the left, crossing the yellow line, whoops, and managed to take the sign by a half a bike lenght from 6 bikes back initially. When we stopped for cokes in glass bottles at a small mom and pop store the guys laughed and said that I should be made a 2 and have done with it. 2: on one of the corners of the state RR Jeff attacked up this 10% hill, it's a 1000ft hill and it goes up 100 ft. I pulled around John and stuck on his wheel and then "counter" attacked in the last third (Brian arent you proud?) and just pulled Jeff the rest of the way up the hill. It felt good to match the attack and I recovered fairly well. 3rd: More rollers. Near the end of the ride, we took the road called Nature Rd. it was fairly winding and had short STEEP rollers. I attacked on the first one and over the next two I couldnt see my team mates, they eventually caught me when I slowed two hills later and when I looked back it was awesome to see my team working together to reel me in. I fucking love team and team-work. I pipped Jeff and one sign and we turned at the stop when our team went straight; we had to catch them and after we corrected our turn, I worked for Jeff to chase him back on. I must say, domestiqueing gives one a new kind of energy and you don't get all that tired...
Just read finn's blog, that ride sounded great.
Post ride, the 6 of us had pasta salad at Jon's house and he tossed me my first skinsuit. I must say, skinsuits are pretty fucking raw. Jon run's our main sponsor, Lakes Area Physical Therapy and therefore, all our gear is free. In addition we are sponsored by the Bicycle Doctor, in Dousman, WI. It's quite a respectable shop, just might get the Giro Atmos in Discovery colors to match my teammates, like Peter says, I really only spend money on food and anything bike related, even a bit unnecessarily. Maybe I'll even get those Zipp 404's...
Upcoming Races:
June 10th:WI State RR, Spring Prairie
June 17th:LAPT Crit, Madison, WI
June 24th: UWW Crit/RR, Whitwater, WI
July 4th: MN State Crit, Northfield
I must hang my head today as I did not get out and ride, but spent the day with my Dad out at the boat yard cleaning the bottom of the sail boat and visiting my grandmother afterwards. It's all right I suppose, tonight I just might stretch and do some core work. Monday'll be an easy 2-3 hours, Tuesday 100k hard and Wedneday probaly the same. Thursday easy and friday not at all: the state championship comes June 10th.
Yesterday was my first team ride, and there were six of us. Apparently I am the youngest guy on the team; most of the guys are either masters 1/2/3 or 1/2 and there are some very fast women as well. I set out with Jon (team leader), Jeff, Rick, Tom, another Jon to ride the parts of the state road course and tour the hills around alpine valley. If only there were mountains... Initially I was pretty nervous about performing well despite it being a group ride (not without KOM's and Stop Ahead sprints). It almost all rollers of varying length, I think the longest climb back out of the valley was maybe 4 minutes tops. Before we left, Jon gave me my shorts, so now I have a complete kit and he offered me gloves as well, but i've already got the identical set. I appreciate how color-coordinated our team is, Despite the absence of white (sorry Finn) we still look fast which is what, half the battle no? We're blue and silver/grey, the kind of discovery blue. Nonetheless, I was able to stick with my guys the entire ride, including some very generous pulls. Three favorite moments: 1: the first sprint jumped at this little town named Lyons where one of the 10 superweek events will be held. Rick, Jon, and Jeff went and gapped the rest of us. I stood up and not only chased back on but passed on the left, crossing the yellow line, whoops, and managed to take the sign by a half a bike lenght from 6 bikes back initially. When we stopped for cokes in glass bottles at a small mom and pop store the guys laughed and said that I should be made a 2 and have done with it. 2: on one of the corners of the state RR Jeff attacked up this 10% hill, it's a 1000ft hill and it goes up 100 ft. I pulled around John and stuck on his wheel and then "counter" attacked in the last third (Brian arent you proud?) and just pulled Jeff the rest of the way up the hill. It felt good to match the attack and I recovered fairly well. 3rd: More rollers. Near the end of the ride, we took the road called Nature Rd. it was fairly winding and had short STEEP rollers. I attacked on the first one and over the next two I couldnt see my team mates, they eventually caught me when I slowed two hills later and when I looked back it was awesome to see my team working together to reel me in. I fucking love team and team-work. I pipped Jeff and one sign and we turned at the stop when our team went straight; we had to catch them and after we corrected our turn, I worked for Jeff to chase him back on. I must say, domestiqueing gives one a new kind of energy and you don't get all that tired...
Just read finn's blog, that ride sounded great.
Post ride, the 6 of us had pasta salad at Jon's house and he tossed me my first skinsuit. I must say, skinsuits are pretty fucking raw. Jon run's our main sponsor, Lakes Area Physical Therapy and therefore, all our gear is free. In addition we are sponsored by the Bicycle Doctor, in Dousman, WI. It's quite a respectable shop, just might get the Giro Atmos in Discovery colors to match my teammates, like Peter says, I really only spend money on food and anything bike related, even a bit unnecessarily. Maybe I'll even get those Zipp 404's...
Upcoming Races:
June 10th:WI State RR, Spring Prairie
June 17th:LAPT Crit, Madison, WI
June 24th: UWW Crit/RR, Whitwater, WI
July 4th: MN State Crit, Northfield
Saturday, June 03, 2006
LAPT/catch-up
It is Saturday in the early afternoon, and I've got quite a lot of catching up to do (people and cycling news mostly) but I must say, getting sponsored is sweet. More later, I have to take the salt in the basement for the folks and eat.
3:24 min, 62.1 miles, hr: 151 lots of hills (state champ RR course)
3:24 min, 62.1 miles, hr: 151 lots of hills (state champ RR course)
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