Saturday Race Report: If I wasn't dropped, I was going to be there, a tautology. Sure enough, that's how it played out. Advertised at 60 miles, turned out to be 75. Sean put in a pretty good attack. 2 pee breaks (unheard of). However, it was a little discouraging: we actually stopped racing hard. or racing at all for quite some time. After the elite front group of 12 or so of us was established we apparently thought that no one would get away from our little collective. Some were just strong enough to hang on but there was no impetus to get the strongest racing. Props again to Sean for at least making the race interesting for 10 miles on the third lap. Maybe the heat was a factor but until the final 2-3 miles we were on a training ride.
Sunday: Same story. 30 minutes into a 70 minute crit we had our front 9 and no one was going anywhere. Last year Brad Johnson from UMN pulled out half-way through and went on a 3 hr training ride unbeknownst to anyone else because the race wasn't "hard enough." I was tempted to do the same. Unlike the first race, I stacked it up in the final turn. My race went to hell just before it though as Jason Knight (KU) and I were bumping shoulders for position as Smelser surged before the turn. We both (?) went wide out itno the cones. I cut back in near Crosby and carried too much speed into the final corner. Lost the front wheel. Oh well. I've got some road rash and no pictures yet as Finn still has my camera. As we all say, that's racing. No one else was injured. Maybe some sprints were thrown off, whatever.
It is fairly apparent that I am discouraged/unethused with collegiate racing at this point. But, my mom is coming down to Nat'ls with my brother in two weeks which will be nice. I'm actually really looking forward to seeing them again, even though summer is quite close. Emma is asking me I am almost done so I guess I am. Wait, Emma gets "shy muscles" when she is watched trying to open any can, she's pretty funny about things like that. I like it.
Ciao
Oh yeah, we got our new kits this afternoon. they are sweet. pics to come. pics to come as well of a certain musette bag hand-off.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Matches, Secret Training, and Other Things
Yesterday went out for some secret training of my own. Feeling it today. Rundown: 5hrs (well just shy of) and about 98 miles. I couldn't say who, but someone said for a large part of that he was spent averaging 265 watts for 3.5 hours. Needless to say my legs felt it at the end. Perhaps we burned a few (too many) matches, this weekend will tell... good ride though up to hastings then down to Cannon Falls on 7/1/25 and back on 19. As it turns out, might have the opportunity to ride NVGP this year. fingers crossed...
Today's just easy with the Krueg, should be a 2-3 hour day at endurance pace. should be recovery enough. feeling pretty good.
have a nice day
Today's just easy with the Krueg, should be a 2-3 hour day at endurance pace. should be recovery enough. feeling pretty good.
have a nice day
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Learning
As always, OPUS can be a place where you get your bacon handed to you. Last night was my first 1/2/3 race and it was pretty intense. Didn't do too poorly and I learned so much about racing, much like Tony has in the M1/2/3 field back home. He's got some pretty good explanations that pretty much sum up what I experienced last night: essentially no accordion effect and tons of strong guys trading places at the front. yowza. Dan Casper almost stuck it out to the end in a 2 man break after the final prime but was swallowed a few meters from the line? Me, I ended up in the grass after sitting 5th wheel two down from Doug Swanson. oh well, kept it up right and rode over the line at a leisurely pace, then rode back with Dan and Emma (who graciously came to watch).
It's fascinating to watch the high levels of team work from the larger squads, primarily Grand Performance and Grandstay, sending guys out to relieve pressure on themselves and the field somewhat. Sprint trains are fun to watch (and sit on).
Today's kinda grey but should be a nice 4 or so hour day, maybe more out to Hastings/Prescott area if the wind's right. The NE wind has been a nice change of pace.
It's fascinating to watch the high levels of team work from the larger squads, primarily Grand Performance and Grandstay, sending guys out to relieve pressure on themselves and the field somewhat. Sprint trains are fun to watch (and sit on).
Today's kinda grey but should be a nice 4 or so hour day, maybe more out to Hastings/Prescott area if the wind's right. The NE wind has been a nice change of pace.
Monday, April 23, 2007
More Re-Hashing
Took this from the Durand RR website (CVCC website) it's kind of amusing. They had them for every field:
yesterday rode with Dan Casper from Grandstay for the first time after he up and knocked on my dormroom door. A good two hours with some sandy sand gravel mix and a dash of rain. Afterwards we headed in and Dan and Linda treated me a swell to lunch of ham sandwiches, cantaloupe, soup, and soy lattes. Nothing less than a great meal and change of pace from the caf. Thanks guys.
Today went out with Emma and Brad to target. They in their civvies and me in my full regalia. After getting to Target, I pedaled off for a 2hr recovery ride. On the way up to Farmington I met Ron Gallas; he's the ceramics prof here at Olaf, biking down from the cities for a staff meeting. Yeah, he's putting in a good 80 miles today. We jawed about MN cycling community stalwarts, especially Hollywood's signage at Paris-Roubaix. Pretty cool ride, ended up being 2hr 30 minutes, legs feel good.
Wound down the day with a visit to Dr. Cram, a local chiropractor in Northfield (www.drcramchiro.com). He does an outstanding job, with great preliminary analysis. Turns out I did have a leg length discrepancy as well as several subluxations. After a few adjustments I feel pretty darn good.
My UMN app is still pending/being evaluated so I'm waiting to see how that turns out. Should go well. Opus is tomorrow. Dan is courteously carting Emma and I up to the race. Should be fun in the 1/2/3 field. Posts tomorrow
Ciao
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The People in the Break You Make
team news: I bailed this weekend on the Nebraska trip to the Lincoln Plating Spring Classic. I love that course but unfortunately I'm wrapping up a 10+ pager now and have a 6 pager due monday. cripes! However, Kyle got 2nd in the B's after breaking away in the first lap and staying away with one other guy for 3.5 laps. Jake pulled out with cramps which were so bad he had to be carried? Hope he's all right. Finn finished 7th in A's after Smelser (KSU), Cook (UMN), and Noonan (Carleton) got off the front somewhere at the begging of the last lap. Krueg said he just needs to get in better shape...he will.
Durand RR recap:
So in order to make this weekend less of a total bust, I busted my butt to borrow a car, and hump it out to Durand, WI for the RR held there. The course profile looked pretty jagged and indeed it was. Windy too. Lined up for the 3/4's race, 4 laps, 54 miles. Wind was mostly head/cross, with about .75 of tail for the S/F. Emma rode out with and courteously provided a bottle hand-up on lap three. she is a champion. From the get go a young IsCorp rider named Matt attacked, the pack was noodling, I bridged, and we were caught. On the back stretch, I attacked up the first of two big hills and Matt's mate Dave bridged up. We sat up and waited for Ted. Ted rides for peace coffee and we were in the winning break at the Humboldt Park Crit during Superweek. On the front stretch the three of us sat up and were joined by 5 chasers. Our 8 would dwindle to 5 after the next lap. Dave worked well but fell off hafway through the final lap. Ted and a tonka guy hung on till the 2nd to last climb. It came down to a battle between Rhett who rides for Birchwood. We 2-upped it, man to man. He cramped as he started his sprint and I gapped him by 4s. Good weekend. Jake would be proud as I spent 50 of 54 miles off the front. Hope Skinnyski.com has pics up soon.
After the Memorial Day Wkend races Sean won't be able to call me a sand-bagger any more. I'm catting up soon enough.
Also: LAPT had a pretty successful weekend with several podiums at the WCA crit in Brown Deer. Can't wait to get back to ride in WI.
Ciao
Durand RR recap:
So in order to make this weekend less of a total bust, I busted my butt to borrow a car, and hump it out to Durand, WI for the RR held there. The course profile looked pretty jagged and indeed it was. Windy too. Lined up for the 3/4's race, 4 laps, 54 miles. Wind was mostly head/cross, with about .75 of tail for the S/F. Emma rode out with and courteously provided a bottle hand-up on lap three. she is a champion. From the get go a young IsCorp rider named Matt attacked, the pack was noodling, I bridged, and we were caught. On the back stretch, I attacked up the first of two big hills and Matt's mate Dave bridged up. We sat up and waited for Ted. Ted rides for peace coffee and we were in the winning break at the Humboldt Park Crit during Superweek. On the front stretch the three of us sat up and were joined by 5 chasers. Our 8 would dwindle to 5 after the next lap. Dave worked well but fell off hafway through the final lap. Ted and a tonka guy hung on till the 2nd to last climb. It came down to a battle between Rhett who rides for Birchwood. We 2-upped it, man to man. He cramped as he started his sprint and I gapped him by 4s. Good weekend. Jake would be proud as I spent 50 of 54 miles off the front. Hope Skinnyski.com has pics up soon.
After the Memorial Day Wkend races Sean won't be able to call me a sand-bagger any more. I'm catting up soon enough.
Also: LAPT had a pretty successful weekend with several podiums at the WCA crit in Brown Deer. Can't wait to get back to ride in WI.
Ciao
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Muscle and Tabs
First the tabs:
Been keeping track of my teammates and friends back home, seems a lot of them are going really well. Voight pulled down 2nd to Halverson in yet another photo-finish I hear (not unlike oh UWW) and Jimmy Stemper from Trocadero, a guy a worked/raced with a ton during superweek pulled out a long deserved win in the 3's. Nice work all around.
The big accomplishment at Sunday's crit was outmuscleing Mark Smelser from KSU for 4th place, first in the field. Not much interesting happened, a lot of attacks, Jake finally got away and 2 bridged up. I sat on the front blocking till it was sewn up and the break would stick.
Monday no riding
Tuesday 60 miles or so in 3:15 with a vicious headwind. Rode by myself as usual NE up to Hastings, MN. Nice flat route, hammered it on the way in, took about half as long as getting out there.
Today more of the same, 75 miles 4 hours. Hard. More wind, more distance, Jake and Sean met me in Hastings as I was on my way back from Prescott, WI. Guess we averaged 26.5 mph on the way home with a ton of cat and mouse in the last 3 or so miles. Sean did a good job leading out and attacking throughout, but I managed to wait long enough and get around him seated. my legs hurt a lot and it's been awhile since I've seen this much fatigue over the last few days. feels pretty good. I feel pretty salty even after the shower.
This weekend's Nebraska, but I'm thinking about driving home for the weekend to race down there, or stay here and race Durand. who knows. back to my Nietzsche paper ya'll
ciao
Been keeping track of my teammates and friends back home, seems a lot of them are going really well. Voight pulled down 2nd to Halverson in yet another photo-finish I hear (not unlike oh UWW) and Jimmy Stemper from Trocadero, a guy a worked/raced with a ton during superweek pulled out a long deserved win in the 3's. Nice work all around.
The big accomplishment at Sunday's crit was outmuscleing Mark Smelser from KSU for 4th place, first in the field. Not much interesting happened, a lot of attacks, Jake finally got away and 2 bridged up. I sat on the front blocking till it was sewn up and the break would stick.
Monday no riding
Tuesday 60 miles or so in 3:15 with a vicious headwind. Rode by myself as usual NE up to Hastings, MN. Nice flat route, hammered it on the way in, took about half as long as getting out there.
Today more of the same, 75 miles 4 hours. Hard. More wind, more distance, Jake and Sean met me in Hastings as I was on my way back from Prescott, WI. Guess we averaged 26.5 mph on the way home with a ton of cat and mouse in the last 3 or so miles. Sean did a good job leading out and attacking throughout, but I managed to wait long enough and get around him seated. my legs hurt a lot and it's been awhile since I've seen this much fatigue over the last few days. feels pretty good. I feel pretty salty even after the shower.
This weekend's Nebraska, but I'm thinking about driving home for the weekend to race down there, or stay here and race Durand. who knows. back to my Nietzsche paper ya'll
ciao
Saturday, April 14, 2007
A Push for Brian
Today was our collegiate road race and TTT held out on Valley Grove, just out of N-field. We had so many people from school show up to race, it was quite a trip, which started by riding out to the coursee (about 6 miles) super easy.
The course was loved by all, not as selective as Jake and Sean had hoped. the men's A field dwindled to about 11, not that many flats, and we were hitting 40+ mph on the gravel down hills. eesh. good day, we took top honors as a team today, with Jake attacking and blocking in the finale, taking down 8th, finn in 4th, much like last year in Nebraska, and I taking 3rd having started the up hill sprint too early and being caught by KSU's Mark Smelser (the 2006 college crit champ) and KU's Jason Knight. I am quite happy to have podiumed and with the team work we displayed at key moments, a great race to have participated in. The gravel made it interering.
Skipped the TTT as my early seasons has been plagued by good and bad. I've been on the podium twice now yet have been analyzed for heart condition (atrial tachycardia), verged on over training, and now have confirmed that my hip is maladjusted/mis-rotated whatever, so that it's tearing up the connective tissue in my knee. joy. going to call John Van Susteren to see if he knows any good PT's up here or can recommend some stretches. eesh. Jake should have a pretty good write up coming, you should check it. Also Kyle Chezik, crashed on the final turn, battered and bloody rode in for fifth and will race tomorrow. that is raw. he know's it.
I'm off to get some recovery beverages a la sierra nevada, tonight's the President's Ball on campus, so we're dressing to the nines (i'm in the 8's as i've left my best attire home, oops) should be a good time
ciao
oh yeah this whole post is titled after the push I gave Brian Crosby on the steepest hill on the course, as a fellow sprinter, he just laughed. good times. should have pictures sometime
The course was loved by all, not as selective as Jake and Sean had hoped. the men's A field dwindled to about 11, not that many flats, and we were hitting 40+ mph on the gravel down hills. eesh. good day, we took top honors as a team today, with Jake attacking and blocking in the finale, taking down 8th, finn in 4th, much like last year in Nebraska, and I taking 3rd having started the up hill sprint too early and being caught by KSU's Mark Smelser (the 2006 college crit champ) and KU's Jason Knight. I am quite happy to have podiumed and with the team work we displayed at key moments, a great race to have participated in. The gravel made it interering.
Skipped the TTT as my early seasons has been plagued by good and bad. I've been on the podium twice now yet have been analyzed for heart condition (atrial tachycardia), verged on over training, and now have confirmed that my hip is maladjusted/mis-rotated whatever, so that it's tearing up the connective tissue in my knee. joy. going to call John Van Susteren to see if he knows any good PT's up here or can recommend some stretches. eesh. Jake should have a pretty good write up coming, you should check it. Also Kyle Chezik, crashed on the final turn, battered and bloody rode in for fifth and will race tomorrow. that is raw. he know's it.
I'm off to get some recovery beverages a la sierra nevada, tonight's the President's Ball on campus, so we're dressing to the nines (i'm in the 8's as i've left my best attire home, oops) should be a good time
ciao
oh yeah this whole post is titled after the push I gave Brian Crosby on the steepest hill on the course, as a fellow sprinter, he just laughed. good times. should have pictures sometime
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Hardman Ride Pt. 1: I am shivering all over, literally
title is self explanatory, I have to get to dinner, thought I would jot down this anecdote
Monday, April 09, 2007
Flurries / 5 hour day
Not too much to say
Jake Brow and I struck out from the docks for some good tempo work
5 hours in the saddle today
and I'm happy
Jake Brow and I struck out from the docks for some good tempo work
5 hours in the saddle today
and I'm happy
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Forced Rest
After the race last weekend, I rode well whatever, I rode Mon and did so little Tues that it probably didnt count. skipped wednesday, rode for at hour Thu and Friday, havent ridden yet this weekend (and won't). Tomorrow though should be a good long ride with Jake Brow from IS corp and maybe JV as well. The weather has been garbage and we all know it. Hence, pseudo-forced rest
I've been quite busy with my other "passion" (no not my girlfriend JESUS), school work. from the training camp through spring break I am still having to play a lot of catch-up and that's what I should be getting back to in a few minutes, O accounting homework...
Has anyone else noticed the amount of cycling on tv lately? The US. Open on NBC yesterday and then De Ronde today? it's been pretty great to watch some decent TV over this easter weekend. It's actually pretty motivating, something I've been well lacking for the last week. It seems that I confirmed my form Sunday and Monday last week and now I'm resting on my laurels. that's not a good idea. the next three days will be ridden hard or long or both. Thursday as recovery friday I don't know what'll happen, maybe two hours, 1 easy and one hard, broken up. who knows?
Tuesday I fly back so
in other news, JV started a blog (out of return-of-winter boredom?)
here it is: www.humofthetubular.blogspot.com yes, it is in team colors (quite appropriate)
Ciao
I've been quite busy with my other "passion" (no not my girlfriend JESUS), school work. from the training camp through spring break I am still having to play a lot of catch-up and that's what I should be getting back to in a few minutes, O accounting homework...
Has anyone else noticed the amount of cycling on tv lately? The US. Open on NBC yesterday and then De Ronde today? it's been pretty great to watch some decent TV over this easter weekend. It's actually pretty motivating, something I've been well lacking for the last week. It seems that I confirmed my form Sunday and Monday last week and now I'm resting on my laurels. that's not a good idea. the next three days will be ridden hard or long or both. Thursday as recovery friday I don't know what'll happen, maybe two hours, 1 easy and one hard, broken up. who knows?
Tuesday I fly back so
in other news, JV started a blog (out of return-of-winter boredom?)
here it is: www.humofthetubular.blogspot.com yes, it is in team colors (quite appropriate)
Ciao
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Pics from Break
In reverse order: well nevermind what's going on here. I am excited to race again and have dressed up the night before the big day!
I am obviously quite excited here, as you can see by my child-like expression. Vittoria Open Tubular Pave's . Marvellous.
True spring classic grit in an american style criterium, complete with standing water, a snaking climb, strong winds, dodgy riding etc. Pulled down 2nd in the first race of the season. Thanks Mike and Emma for sticking around to watch in the wet and the drear. Well Emma really had no choice as we were going to ride back to school together. But she did have the car keys.
Glamorous VO2 max testing in the UofI Hospital. I was encouraged repeatedly to just "keep pushing, just a little more, keep pedaling," and that I was "doing great."
With the expert, Dr. Doug Hornick (Emma's dad, he's a pulmonary specialist and doesnt appreciate his daughter smoking the hookah).
I am obviously quite excited here, as you can see by my child-like expression. Vittoria Open Tubular Pave's . Marvellous.
True spring classic grit in an american style criterium, complete with standing water, a snaking climb, strong winds, dodgy riding etc. Pulled down 2nd in the first race of the season. Thanks Mike and Emma for sticking around to watch in the wet and the drear. Well Emma really had no choice as we were going to ride back to school together. But she did have the car keys.
Glamorous VO2 max testing in the UofI Hospital. I was encouraged repeatedly to just "keep pushing, just a little more, keep pedaling," and that I was "doing great."
With the expert, Dr. Doug Hornick (Emma's dad, he's a pulmonary specialist and doesnt appreciate his daughter smoking the hookah).
Confirmation
Tony started to hassle me a bit to get this blog updated, it has been quite awhile, since I left for spring break really. At any rate here's what's gone down:
Saturday the 24th was the KU RR, in which I double flatted within the first four miles. My season could only get better from here no? Took it easy the rest of the day, skipping the TTT and the crit the next day. For some reason I thought I was on the verge of over-training the week before. Maybe I was just hyper-ventilating for an extended period of time.
There was also some concern over a potential heart condition so I wanted to rest as I was spending Mon-Wed visiting the hospital in Iowa City. Tuesday:
VO2 max testing with Emma's dad and the Iowa City group ride, which I took out handily. Finn and I rocked some pretty sweet roads around IC on monday, included these great pave sections just west of downtown.
Wednesday I was catheterized to see if the Dock Martins (not the shoe, an electrophysiologist) could simulate my condition. Turns out I have atrial tachycardia, but it's not problematic. Only I wasnt allowed to race saturday, so I skipped Hillsboro Roubaix. Oh well, maybe next year...
Sunday was the return trip to school, but first I raced the WCA season opener in Sheboygan WI. Took 2nd on the day doing most of the owrk with Stemper, Alvarez, and Meier. Klapperich got off the front and the heavy guy took it away on the downhills. It seemed few could work, so we eventually stopped chasing on the bell lap and raced for second place. It was wet. It was gritty. There are some pictures. Now I'm at school, have two papers to write and then I leave for home again tomorrow. Doc Ride at 9 on Saturday, should be a grand old time.
Nevermind, blogger's being slow, guess it'll just be a V02 max test pic instead.
Ciao
Confirmation
Tony started to hassle me a bit to get this blog updated, it has been quite awhile, since I left for spring break really. At any rate here's what's gone down:
Saturday the 24th was the KU RR, in which I double flatted within the first four miles. My season could only get better from here no? Took it easy the rest of the day, skipping the TTT and the crit the next day. For some reason I thought I was on the verge of over-training the week before. Maybe I was just hyper-ventilating for an extended period of time.
There was also some concern over a potential heart condition so I wanted to rest as I was spending Mon-Wed visiting the hospital in Iowa City. Tuesday:
VO2 max testing with Emma's dad and the Iowa City group ride, which I took out handily. Finn and I rocked some pretty sweet roads around IC on monday, included these great pave sections just west of downtown.
Wednesday I was catheterized to see if the Dock Martins (not the shoe, an electrophysiologist) could simulate my condition. Turns out I have atrial tachycardia, but it's not problematic. Only I wasnt allowed to race saturday, so I skipped Hillsboro Roubaix. Oh well, maybe next year...
Sunday was the return trip to school, but first I raced the WCA season opener in Sheboygan WI. Took 2nd on the day doing most of the owrk with Stemper, Alvarez, and Meier. Klapperich got off the front and the heavy guy took it away on the downhills. It seemed few could work, so we eventually stopped chasing on the bell lap and raced for second place. It was wet. It was gritty. There are some pictures. Now I'm at school, have two papers to write and then I leave for home again tomorrow. Doc Ride at 9 on Saturday, should be a grand old time.
Nevermind, blogger's being slow, guess it'll just be a V02 max test pic instead.
Ciao
Saturday the 24th was the KU RR, in which I double flatted within the first four miles. My season could only get better from here no? Took it easy the rest of the day, skipping the TTT and the crit the next day. For some reason I thought I was on the verge of over-training the week before. Maybe I was just hyper-ventilating for an extended period of time.
There was also some concern over a potential heart condition so I wanted to rest as I was spending Mon-Wed visiting the hospital in Iowa City. Tuesday:
VO2 max testing with Emma's dad and the Iowa City group ride, which I took out handily. Finn and I rocked some pretty sweet roads around IC on monday, included these great pave sections just west of downtown.
Wednesday I was catheterized to see if the Dock Martins (not the shoe, an electrophysiologist) could simulate my condition. Turns out I have atrial tachycardia, but it's not problematic. Only I wasnt allowed to race saturday, so I skipped Hillsboro Roubaix. Oh well, maybe next year...
Sunday was the return trip to school, but first I raced the WCA season opener in Sheboygan WI. Took 2nd on the day doing most of the owrk with Stemper, Alvarez, and Meier. Klapperich got off the front and the heavy guy took it away on the downhills. It seemed few could work, so we eventually stopped chasing on the bell lap and raced for second place. It was wet. It was gritty. There are some pictures. Now I'm at school, have two papers to write and then I leave for home again tomorrow. Doc Ride at 9 on Saturday, should be a grand old time.
Nevermind, blogger's being slow, guess it'll just be a V02 max test pic instead.
Ciao
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