Cat 2 Flame Out (Oh Yeah!)

Spokane

2011-03-05T07:49:00.004-06:00

Heyo,
I'm riding the rails here, way too excited to sleep in Spokane. #secrettraining. Check out the Motel 6 bedspread steez.

Blog blog

2011-02-16T10:33:00.001-06:00

Blog blog blog blog. Am I blog or what? Blog blog blog. Also blog blog I have a dog. Her name is Lady Buddycat.

Fancy Booties / Best Team in the World

2011-02-15T16:45:00.001-06:00

Well it's been 11.5 months. I worked hard, won a few races, and now I have these fancy booties. That, and I joined the best team in the world: Grandstay Hotels and Suites

Pretty Much

2010-03-02T16:34:00.001-06:00

ZOMG it was Crosby's birthday last weekend, not too much to update, I just like this picture. Been riding easy/not much at all due to school responsibilities and the fact that I've been flirting with getting sick for awhile. Need to just back off a touch, sleep, recover, etc. Plenty of good times though.

The Only Billboard in Norway

2010-02-22T06:38:00.003-06:00

This was the only roadside billboard posted in Norway, at least that I saw. It indicates that if one is sleepy, one should simply stop and sleep (preferably on the arm of a domestic partner?). The maximum speedlimit in Norway is 100km/h, which seems slow, but the geography of the place actually limits the speed in most places more than the law does.

On the way back from Wisconsin, I definitely was having trouble staying awake so I stopped, my bike and I switched places and I slept in the back of my car, using my laundry as a pillow/bed/blankets. Crosby said I described a nest (word economy). And now I'm going to take a nap because writing this at the wrong side of 630AM. rollers tonight.

Worst Lock Job of My Life / One Reason I Love My Hometown

2010-02-21T01:58:00.003-06:00

Good old Waukesha, WI. There are only a few reasons to like my hometown, but one of them is that it is small, only 60k strong. Filled with too many art galleries and newly renovated bars for cool 30-somethings, it's not the best. But it isn't the worst. Because this will suffice for a lock-job at 3AM. And we sell beer on Sunday.

I don't know if I should be proud of this...

2010-02-18T19:08:00.001-06:00

Yep love my bag. Time to pedal home and head out to see Phantogram at first ave. Should be a great night

2010-02-17T21:03:00.002-06:00

Holy God. It's 2010 and it's time to start this damn thing up again since Dan Swanson said he was digging around for it. Might as well dust it off. Well just riding and school. That's what I've been up to. Details to come.

Though today I posted almost 5 hours again. On a school night...

Same Old

2007-11-20T20:50:00.001-06:00

I was doing the same things last year, riding intermittently, and not all that long either. Probably racing cross is what I should do as I like to take off until the new year. However, as Scott mentioned, everyone is updating on their training. Maybe more so this year than last or the year before when I didn't know what the heck I was doing, it seems that this year everyone is training now for the Best Year Ever in 08. Honestly, I haven't been. But. There's always a but. I do feel that my commitment to training is about to change, following T-giving. Saturday I sat on the trainer for 30 minutes, that's 1/4 of what I wanted to do. But if felt all right, I just need to pick up a mirror. Blah. Boring.

Emma's coming into town and we might go for our own Turkey Day Ride, as she doesnt MTB and the boys are meeting out at Muir for a ride. She is loving her SS which is good, I have to build up mine now (pics to come).

Sociology exam today, wrapped that up and am effectively on vacay for the next few days till it starts all over again Monday. eesh. In other news, I read a great article from theatlantic.com about Obama. The view of the author was that Obama's candidacy is not about Obama but that fact that he is not of the baby-boom generation which is what the bitter rivalry and bipartisanship in present day politics stems from: a symbolic conflict over who did what and when during the vietnam war. yowza, definitely worth checking out if you are into politics.

back to cycling, ok, yes, I really am looking forward to training, and recovering, but really, monday, no saturday when emma leaves, 2hrs a day without fail. dedication, determination

ciao

Today and Tomorrow

2007-11-13T21:10:00.000-06:00

No commute today, big plans for tomorrow. Watching everyone around start training, I guess it is time to start focusing. Before I got sick last year, I did not start serious training until January 5th or so. Perhaps I need to space it out more and continue to do less intensity overall. Just a massive base. I do not do weights. I think intermittent intervals are ok, especially if you commute and wake up late. A 20 minute hotlap to work, if you will.

I will try to post music every post. Most will be songs that have wonder. Or are concise if that means anything.

Song:

A Plan: bike to work, 20 minutes or so, go to school at 830 am, study, ride in the afternoon. Dinner at the organic market. Speech class. Commute home post 845 dismissal.

Factoid: as cyclists, a mid-ride coke'n'water is a staple to replacing those lost energy reserves. In 1980 HFCS, highfructosecornsyrup was developed as replacement for sugar. It was cheaper so in order to avoid lowering prices, soda companies abandoned the 8oz bottle for the 20 oz'er of today. Coke with sugar is a treat, it is why coke from europe and mexico tastes different. That is one thing I want for christmas, coke with sugar.

ciao

7:34 Am

2007-11-12T20:57:00.001-06:00

The early drive home:

Renewal

2007-11-12T20:04:00.000-06:00

Time to get back at it, slowly but surely. A list of things that have happened

First a song:

That fixed gear was stolen (It was my fault for leaving the garage door open)
I picked up a mountain bike
I spend at least 3 days a week dissecting a cadaver my anatomy class has affectionately named Frank (areolar CT sucks).

School is going well thus far, 4 classes, 4 good grades. I am thinking that this blog will include some more sociological insights, I need a place to put them out.

Last weekend was another spent in Iowa City w/ Emma. Greg D. of Mercy-Specialized is a friend of her dad's and we went mountain biking in the Sugar Bottom trails. Not only was it gorgeous, it was free. I like mountain biking.

Now that I have updated, I expect a phonecall from this cranky collarbone.

Also, I saw a commercial for Dewmocracy.com and all it really turns out to be is a nice way of free product testing through television and internet multimedia. You are welcome Pepsi Co. Oh yeah, in keeping with the antiexcessconsumption bent, Emma and I are working on getting down to Chicago the day after T-giving in order to watch everyone shop without getting anything. Boring, right. whatever, pictures:

though it's hard to tell, I built Emma a (swell - Ed.) single speed for commuting to wrok. She "loves it." I guess I will believe here. Baby blue rattle can. 42x17. Tan Cork and Gum hoods on cane creek levers. Sugino cranks. Matching gum bontrager tires. I am proud of it. She also wears my jacket? so highschool (and that's alright).

From an old-fashioned somewhat non-mainstream Dairy-Queen. Farside and the "global warming sundae."

Hiatus

2007-09-25T09:57:00.000-05:00

On hiatus till I can ride my bike again

New Stable Addition

2007-08-24T21:37:00.001-05:00

Painted and built my first fixie/track/singlespeeder today. I am happy with it, some parts of the build are a little silly, look full carbon fork. ultegra 10/da drivetrain. even with heavy duty wheels (formula hubs laced to open pros) the bike weighs in at 16.5 pounds. not too shabby for a commuter. now to learn how to ride it. mayhaps I'll be taking a trip down to the track in Kenosha on sunday.

ciao

A Wet Week

2007-08-24T03:43:00.000-05:00

It's been a pretty wet week. Either from sweat or rain, the latter bringing relief for the former. It's also been my first week back to serious training. Doing an hour and a half a day of upper-endurance/tempo work consistently feels like a major victory. Perhaps this summer I should have changed this blog title to "cat 2 flame-out." oh well, it happens, and as such I am already looking forward to next season.

Tuesday I ran into Brian Carlson (www.bikerbrian.blogspot.com) and he's got a pretty good write-up of the rest of the ride from Muskego park. Funny thing is, I thought I was the one having trouble keeping up, funny how that works out, I was the one who couldn't catch him in the park...

Wednesday I rode into work for the first time in the rain because I had promised myself to do it. Lo and behold it was great. It dried up during the day and after riding home to drop off my backpack and head out to see what Tans Dr. had in store. Brian and told me of it the night prior. Turns out it is a road that parallels the Johnson quarry and runs into Racine ave. It's got two good climbs, a short steep winding hill into a subdivision and a tree-lined climb that about .7 miles long with a few short steep sections, but generally consistent gradient. Thanks for the new ride Brian, it's only a handful of miles from my house and will make for great repeats. Finishing the second time up Tans, I look at the sky. oops. From there on out I was doing LT work all the way home, as I had the powertap on and those things are not fond of rain. Luckily I made it home just as the drops started coming down phew.

Unfortunately my dog ran out into the street and shouldered into a car a few minutes after I got into the garage and the skies opened up. Ta and I took her to the pet-ER but it turns out she's fine, only bruised her shoulder, no lung contusions et cetera. phew.

this post is done.
phew.

MTB-ing

2007-08-12T08:53:00.001-05:00

So the two-week rest period came to end wednesday. Collin and Max from cyclessmith and my new fellow co-workers and I went out for a 1 hour ride around waukesha. we kept it mostly urban which was nice. hit the hospital hill w/ the switchback and the the climb in the new subdivision out of meadowbrook. again, it was nice.

Yesterday I went mountain biking for the first time, not just xc-skiing trail, but real single track. Collin and a friend of his named Ryan took my out to j.muir trails in the kettles. wow a blast. stacked it up a good four or five times, the first one being the best, a full ass-over-teakettle after catching a stump on a downhill run. oops. I'm a little sore today and a lot scratched up, but I just picked up a new trainer after mine was stolen at Snake Alley and i'm looking forward to training consistently again. Ta gets home from romania today so I've got to clean up the house before the first member of my family returns from vacay.

ciao

Rest

2007-08-05T21:36:00.000-05:00

This thing is up on blocks. for another week anyway. then it's back at it, I'm looking forward to it.

No Subject

2007-07-19T21:18:00.000-05:00

Rode today for a nice three hour round trip out to the climb on St. Augustine with a mix of terrain and intensity. Got some sprint work in downtown amongst the traffic and ran into Randy Radish, the organizer for the Superweek race in Waukesha. He told me Max from cyclesmith has been tearing it up and is sitting fourth in points; good to hear. He then pointed out that my leg hair was getting as long as his --and he doesnt shave the legs. I should probably get on that. Called Krueg early this morning and hopefully he'll be coming down to stay next weekend for the superweek wrap-up. that would would be swell. Alright kids and grown-ups I need to get my sleepies

Ciao

True to Form

2007-07-11T20:35:00.000-05:00

Ha. If I wasn't clear in my last post, I finally became the namesake of this blog last saturday when I was popped not once but twice. the first time coming after 17 minutes. Ouch. Oh well. Tonight was the Doc ride. Pace was HIGH, averaging 24.8, probably in the top 3 fastest wendnesday nighter. Hung out in the middle for the first few miles then moved up and started working. Contested no sprints. Last few miles after the turn onto D I believe were HOT with attacks coming from Adam and Tony, myself aswell as Ben Lund and John R(?) from Hayes. John from transistion mixed it up as well. I think I might have irritated a few guys by letting gaps open, but today it was full on team tactics. Short stats, 1hr to get there at 216w and then 1hr10min or so at 256 for the ride itself.

not a bad night, but I still do not feel great. Oh well, I am enjoying being on the bike again and that makes today a minor but important victory. It's slowly coming back and although it's the beginning of July, I am already looking forward to next year. oh next year.

At anyrate, I need to thank my teammates for the encouragement, support, and advice regarding the blow-up so far this summer. It's helped to make keeping the faith a lot easier and a lot less stressful. Thanks guys. Scoots, you too, if only for the interest in my occasionally winning dietary preferences.

Eh this weekend I think I'll head up to Germantown to hang with Mike and see some new riding territory. Should be fun. That's all for now

Also, I'm up for another one of these:

VO2MAX YES! and a methacholine challenge! to see if I have exercised induced asthma. Very nice. oh well. maybe I will get that TUE...
I leave you with once question:
very sexy hey?

Ciao

Pressure

2007-07-10T20:56:00.000-05:00

New Favorite TV SHOW! EXTRAVAGANZA!

No, I have not just quit cycling and taken up golfing, a pernicious rumor I was spreading. Word is I am pretty cooked. oops. better now than later I suppose. oh well. Currently I am getting back to a point where I actually enjoy being on the bike. Mike's power tap is helping. After being spit out the back at the state crit thanks to the Hilton and Johnny Clarke (eesh) took sunday off and have ridden the last two days

mon: 1 hr at 204w
tues: 2 hr at 211w @ hr136

enjoy the vid, I have to rest

Iowa City

2007-07-02T14:57:00.000-05:00

Hey Ya'll

Hmm. That last few days have been great. After another week of intermittent recovery riding, I went out last tuesday with the guys from Atlas and Mercy. Greg-Dizzle had to work which was kind of a bummer. Finn and I managed to get off the front for the final few miles in on Rhoret. I don't think they were chasing too hard but it was fun to go for it anyway. He is flying after his collapsed lung. Iowa City is mad raw.

Pancakes

2007-06-23T21:26:00.001-05:00

Just stepped out of the shower, going to pick up some pancake batter mix from the grocery store. Still not feeling too well. I might as well admit it. Overtraining is a bummer, at least I think that's where I am. Oh well. Time to learn about proper recovery. And pancake rides. nice flat pancake rides.

Maybe I Should just Hang it Up.

2007-06-21T21:03:00.000-05:00

(just kidding) but after tonight's ride, this season has had more than it's fair share of events which I'll whine about (list them) tomorrow as I cannot find my camera cord to add pictures.

in the mean time, this song makes me feel good, real good about summer time hey

it's dan deacon, took it down because it kept on playing. wait a minute just go find the video on youtube

ciao

Juiceboxxx and viral bronchitis

2007-06-19T20:35:00.000-05:00

Since I havent been updating regulary, I might as well make this colorful. I just stumbled upon this guy:

Saw him live a few years ago, guess he's getting pretty big.

Last weekend I didn't race at all and monday I stayed home sick with a fever. Doc thinks I've got viral bronchitis and I'm on the tail end of it. It would explain the nagging cough...that and I've probably cooked myself a little too much. Guess it's good to take it easy for a few days, however superweek is only a few weeks away. I should have plenty of time to bring back the fitness I've lost over the past week of intermittent riding and recovery off the bike.

Grad Party

2007-06-09T07:47:00.000-05:00

Today's my brother's grad party, he's done with highschool (and from the looks of it, quite relieved). So I'm off to get in a short ride and then continue to help out setting up for it till the whole shebang kicks off at 4. That should mean running errands to the grocery stores, meat market, etc. The only bummer is that today is the state RR which I'm opting out of to be here for my bro. Family is also part of bike racing.

that's all, going to go make some pancakes

Blog Bonk

2007-06-07T20:39:00.000-05:00

I'm home I'm settled and finally have a chance to update. briefly, guess I just got to busy and the blog hit a wall. Oh well. WOW went well, QC races not so much, but I got my 2 upgrade. Last weekend did some heavy riding with the Trek 100 and then 55 miles with JV, JW, and Mike Mandli on the TT bikes. Eesh. Tuesday was 85 miles with the Centenniel ride. I was feeling a tad overtrained if one can feel only a tad overtrained and couldnt get my HR up the week prior. Have since focused on recovery. I miss my friends and the hills of and in minnesota but it's good to be back in the groove at home. work, eat, ride, sleep repeat. Emma is hassling me for a shoutout. tough.

more to come,

ciao

Thousyard stare/TT face

2007-05-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

A Laughing/No Laughing Matter

2007-05-09T18:19:00.000-05:00

I've forgotten the html for it, but this is one of the funniest things I've seen on ebay. Then again it isn't:

nevermind it's not working, but search for "used basso blood doping bags" on ebay and see what you find. here's a snippet:

"DIRECT TO YOU FROM MADRID by way of Italy, Germany, etc!! These slightly used, completely “clean” and still perfect blood bags can hold your supplies of hemoglobin-rich, EPO-infused, blood transfusions for your mid-season training “boost” (especially if you are competing in the NCNCA Masters races). These are the very same Dr.Fuentes approved PROFESSIONAL Quality blood bags you’ve read so much about and were previously used just to store, and never, never, EVER, actually make available, blood doping supplies to their owners."

here's a pic I snagged from some random MN cycling blog from the beginning of the Marty, MN race this past weekend. I was still shivering quite hard at this point before hitting the front to warm-up:

Tomorrow the crew is heading down for Nat'ls. Gotta get to Jake's house by 11 and be ready to go. Should be a good time. I think we might have a shot at some jersey's in both the RR and CT. Just maybe. Finger's crossed.

Seems the team has had some tumbles in racing and training but continues to pull out consistent results which is always good to see/hear. Can't wait to get home and race some more USCF with the guys. First up is Sauk #2 and then a double-header at Wheels on Willy.

1.33 hrs today and maybe another with Dan if it works out later tonight. That cursed paper is almost done. Maybe both'll get posted after I'm done with the last one. That's kind of embarrassing though...

back to the grindstone, ciao

You're SO Tan!

2007-05-08T18:54:00.000-05:00

That's what I'm told anyway, or was told by the kind clerk at the New Prague Marathon station today. Long day today, rode hard(er that I should have maybe) and then harder still merely because my front brake was rubbing? oops. I need to take care of that. For the most part, MN racing is a little sparse over the next few weeks, so I'm glad to be heading back home where Sauk and Wheels on Willy are happening the weekend after Nat'ls. Then it's Quad Cities (still need to register) and a cat-up. Fun stuff. Can't wait to see my mom this weekend; it's a nice two-fer, mom's day and nat'ls

In other news, things are getting verdant. Back to finishing out my school year. Here are some photos from today to pass the time:

Idyllic

Green:
Ciao

Gluek RR

2007-05-06T21:03:00.000-05:00

There are some good guys, not just bike racers, in the 3's field here in MN. Racing with guys like Mark (MCT), James and Matt (Birchwood), and Mike (flanders) makes racing that much more fun; they work hard and play the game fairly, hell Matt let me have the rest of some snack on the final lap this weekend, much appreciated.

Mark and our women (kidding) well Mark, Ingrid, Emma, and I left Olaf at 9 or so to head up to Marty early in order to predrive/preride the course. Registration was a breeze except for my misplaced numbers which garnered some guff from some of the LSC organizers; it was well deserved and it turned out I left them with Emma. As mark and I warmed up, the sky opened up with rain that felt like hail. We were immediately soaked. At the start I put on my jersey and arm warmers over my skinsuit, glad to have done it since the race was extended to 60 miles/5 laps.

Race went well enough, had the restart my sprint after Josh (Nature Valley) jumped inside 250 after being sheltered from the wind by first James and then Mark (those guys saved my bacon, thanks all around) but managed to muscle back after lifting the wheel once or twice and then sitting down to shift and stand again. oops. kinda sloppy, need to work on that. A liter of chocolate milk, some jawing, subway/DQ remnants later the four of us were headed back home to find our friends at the end of Lutefest, the free outdoor concert in the spring here at Olaf. Thanks again to Mark and James, and Dan and Linda (who picked up after me). It was a pretty good weekend:

also notice Doug Swanson in the 1/2's field. In the big ring at the hill on the course into the wind where we were crawling by in our 39/21's and 23's. yowza:

Small Things

2007-05-02T17:39:00.000-05:00

It's funny what the small things can do for your riding. I finally replaced my HR monitor battery. Boy does that make a difference, just knowing how I am doing and how I am recovering from my efforts. neato. Same with chocolate milk; ever since Van Susteren gave me some out at the LAPT crit in Madison last year, I swear by it. The Perkins meal w/ Finn turned out to be the perfect recovery. 2 tall glasses. Legs felt good today, almost as if I didnt need an easy hour, but rather should've stayed out for longer, oh well schoolwork called. Bike is at the shop (milltown) getting worked on for a variety of reasons after the crash. Should ride like new for this weekend. Prereg'ed for Gluek today. Krueg and I plus our GF's (OMG SO CUTE) are heading up. I think Jake is as well. I just do not know what to wear, oh my. Off to the Guthrie for some Shakespeare. Gotta keep it intellectual or something.

Ciao

Tuesday

2007-05-01T20:21:00.000-05:00

Suprise! rode my bike yet again today. 4.6 or so hours, most spent in the wind. Went down to Kenyon via 246 after first heading to Dennison. From Kenyon back through Nerstrand and then home on our race course w/ gravel. I was going quite slowly; my legs were hurting after the long weekend and the 2:45 that Dan and I put in yesterday before the rain cut the ride short and Linda was gracious enough to pick us up (and then take us to DQ. very nice). It could be the hole I've been digging myself into in prep for Nat'ls. Recovery starts thursday, upticks for the weekend and resumes on monday. My mom is coming and that I am looking forward to.

After 3:30 or so by myself, I met back up with Krueg, Finn, Kyle, and Conor (affectionately called Water Bottle) and Jake. We met up with Carleton heading up 3 north (wind). As soon as we join, Kyle flats and will remain that way. Brief delay, Krueg helps inflate the new tube but the VALVE STEM SNAPS CLEAN OFF. TOO MUCH POWER. just kidding. but it did snap. oh well. Group moves on while Kyle gets picked up my Mark. Finn and I turn around, nice tailwind, probably doing 24-25, Jake joins us. HWY 3 has some nice rollers on, grades of about maybe 3-4% mabye 5 tops, they're definitely noticeable. As soon as he got there we all dropped it down some gears. Didn't look but we were flying. Has some fun continuing to drop gears going up the hills. By the time we reached the sprint Jake had pulled the last 3/4 mile to the sprint which was in effect who could inch away from whom while seated.

Finn convinced me to head to Perkins, the best place to eat a recovery meal. 2 glasses of chocolate milk and 5 pieces of french toast later we headed back to campus where we parted amicably. It was a nice day. I felt like garbage until the end when the hammer dropped. When my legs are exhausted or hurting or overreaching, it feels best to hurt while accomplishing something, even if that's just going fast for awhile. These posts are too epic. oh well.

ciao.

Tautologically, ...

2007-04-30T17:59:00.000-05:00

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.

Matches, Secret Training, and Other Things

2007-04-26T08:14:00.000-05:00

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

Learning

2007-04-25T10:34:00.000-05:00

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.

More Re-Hashing

2007-04-23T18:16:00.000-05:00

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

The People in the Break You Make

2007-04-21T22:05:00.000-05:00

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

Muscle and Tabs

2007-04-18T21:28:00.000-05:00

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

A Push for Brian

2007-04-14T20:11:00.000-05:00

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

Hardman Ride Pt. 1: I am shivering all over, literally

2007-04-10T17:50:00.000-05:00

title is self explanatory, I have to get to dinner, thought I would jot down this anecdote

Flurries / 5 hour day

2007-04-09T22:10:00.000-05:00

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

Forced Rest

2007-04-08T20:26:00.000-05:00

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

Pics from Break

2007-04-03T21:48:00.001-05:00

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).

Confirmation

2007-04-03T14:20:00.001-05:00

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

2007-04-03T14:20:00.000-05:00

Intervals with Krueg

2007-03-21T19:08:00.000-05:00

2 hours out to Cannon City and over to Nerstrand. We toiled out, somehow staying in our big rings a majority of the way. rested on Nerstrand Blvd, and then flew back to town in gears no smaller that 53-16, well except for the steepest kick towards the very end. At one point we were almost spinning out our 12's.

As advised, got in some good interval work today, no specific numbers, but some extended segments, somewhere in the 8-15 minute range. Heart rate was a little high, but I had just eaten some popcorn just before the ride and I think I'm a little unnerved by the coming race weekend, and the two papers I have to write, one of which I'll be starting on shortly.

Weather: it was well crumby in the best way. I actually love riding in the wet and the grit, when your legs are sand-covered and your bike is too. Your face comes back flecked with mud and you don't use your glasses anymore. Rims are black from the wet and the used brake pad residue. These are my favorite conditions, usually because they cause everyone else to suffer more than usual.

And speaking of suffering, I think that it is my favorite part of bike racing and bike riding. Not in a sadistic way, but just when you can go on suffering more than the other guy. It's the most rewarding to drop someone during an intense effort, or hold them off after an attack. What a struggle.

Reassembly and the Value of Values?

2007-03-21T10:08:00.000-05:00

Today I've got to go down to Mike's Bikes after class to get these:

so I can do this:

And ride my Madone again. Just finished installing the new cables, DA shifters and DA crank, all that's left is the chain. Might as well get the bike a little dirtier as it's really only half clean. Gotta get dressed and get to class. We're discussing Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil today, should be a pretty good time, what with his perspectivism laying the seeds for the post-modern movement in post-WWII America and Europe... what are the value of values anyway?

ciao

Update

2007-03-20T19:42:00.000-05:00

For some reason my brief post from AR isn't showing up.

Short stats:

450 miles in 7 days
29 hours of ride time
lots o climbing
could not have had better compatriots to ride with

Saturday I hit up the Doc ride in Dousman, and picked up some slick new racing rubber for the season, got in a decent 2.5 hours with quite a bit of work being done.

Sunday was an hour easy after scooting on back to school. I am still playing catch-up.

Monday was a group ride of 8 from Olaf. For some reason, I have had no problems hitting it hard, despite using this week as a recovery week. Best part of the ride: Holding of Jake for the final two miles back into town from the NWpassage. He sat up with Krueger and I kept motoring for a bit. When I saw that I had a gap, I just kept going. He chased and chased but the gap never got any smaller. Guess my fitness is coming around quite nicely. First race this weekend down on in Lawrence, KS.

JV advised me to start doing intervals, even if they aren't all that disciplined, to start mixing it up. And that's what I've begun to do, though I don't really care for them. Tomorrow should be a hard day with Krueger out to Nerstrand to do some TT interval work back and forth on the road between Nerstrand and Cannon City. Legs feel good. I feel good. Back to work.

None

2007-03-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

Short stats:

Sat: 3hrs at 143
Sun: 5 hrs at 147
Mon: 4 at 139

biking in AR is nice. to say the least

Nothing Like Waking up and Sliding into a Skinsuit

2007-03-09T07:36:00.000-06:00

I leave for AR today:
Today I woke up, slid into said skinsuit, and put in 15 minutes just to shake out the legs from a ridiculous 5 hour ride yesterday which included 16-20 mph winds, a chain that was running on borrowed time, and an insufficient amount of caloric intake. Gotta get to class

Ciao

Trainer Time

2007-03-06T19:26:00.000-06:00

This is what I've been up to the last two days: trainer time

This is my friend Katie, we ate dinner and she got a little flustered as you can see:

This is that Finn character and Katie (not the first one)
Havent been able to get outside and rock these duds the last few days, but hopefully thursday:

Spent 6.5 hours on the trainer so far this week, with about 30 minutes of tempo and 45 minutes at race pace. Today was a 3.5 hour session done mostly at endurance pace, for the rest, I ran my own personal criterium avg hr of 164 max of 191. Last 7 minutes were done above lactate threshold, slowly ratcheting up my hr till it maxed out at 191. I'm pretty sure I can get it to go higher...

Talked to Larry Moore, my neighbor and a team MACK rider today about his prep and training for Hillsboro Roubaix. He's had some bad crashes, including one where his quadricep detached from his hip and rolled down to his knee. He took the last year or two off from racing, but last year after riding with him, the pressure from his teammates and me was too great and he's going to be racing again, which is great as I am in need of a training partner back home.

Arkansas trip in only 3 days now. I am almost beside myself.

Oh, Sick

2007-03-03T19:52:00.000-06:00

Oh well,
That's right, I'm sick. After riding outdoors as much as I did this week, I managed to develop the worst headcold I've had in recent memory. Put me down and in bed for most of Friday. However it has abated for the time being, enough for Krueger and I to get in 2:15 today while watching We Were Soldiers (not a bad war movie by the way). Avg hr of 138; felt ok most of the time but the legs were tired from not riding the last 2 days. Hr was a little higher 5-10 bpm more than usual for the work I was doing, chalking that up to sickness.

In other cycling related news, I've registered for Hillsboro Roubaix and I'm quite disappointed that O'Grady didn't win Het Volk today, oh well. I've got a paper to get to work on, outlining it as it's due at midnight tomorrow.

Ciao

Flurries

2007-02-28T23:04:00.000-06:00

Back to this for a few days:

Like most cycling blogs, I suppose this one should include some comments about the weather as of late. It's been fine really. After the epic ride on monday, I ended up doing 5 hours yesterday and then today was a 2 hour ride mostly at recovery pace with two 15 minute tempo intervals out on the Paradise Lost loop. The wind was terrible. Just terrible, 17-22 mph gusting to 28. Once I got onto Woodley St. the tailwind was incredible, I was pushing a 53-14 on the rollers and flats into town at 138 bpm. The flurries hit around that point and it was kind of nice just coasting in listening to the new Arcade fire album, which is just as great and sublime as riding outside in somewhat adverse conditions.

On the homefront, my mom's been getting my suppliles for my trip ready, including a requisite trip to the Bike Dr. for vanilla Gu and Clif bars. Andrea responded to my questions about turning pro and it was pretty encouraging. From what I can gather, it's about exposure, friendliness, and results. This season should be about all three.

I love riding outdoors, again, even in the slush it just isn't that bad.

However, we just got dumped on tonight with more snowfall so I guess it will be back to riding the trainer for 3 hours a day until it gets nice out again. even though it is a training camp, I might just taper wednesday through friday in anticipation... Once indoors, I will no longer rocking the world champion's stripes which I wore everyday I've been outside, they really do make you faster: thank you ebay.

Slush Ride (rarely giving)

2007-02-26T23:07:00.000-06:00

Oh yeah, here I am, looking well, yeah:

Today I rode outside, again. Only this time it was still snowing and there was slush and snow on the roads when I started. Despite the WNW wind, I headed down towards Sogn Valley to do some climbing work. 45 minutes into the ride I hit the first dry roads a few miles out from Dennison. And then Mark Krueger called me. He, like I just did not want to ride indoors. After giving him directions to Sogn Valley I continued on my way and eventually doubled back to meet him. Got in 4 hours today, the sun broke through the clouds for awhile and riding in a bright white mist/fog for a few hours today was awesome. I wasn't all that cold and Although I did some hill work, I wasn't as fatigued as I though I would be after 4 hours. 4 hour rides are definitely falling within my endurance ability. yes.

Mark and I descended and then climbed to the church where the finish of our collegiate race this spring. Then we climbed Sogn (I for the 2nd time). The two times I did it without going hard were in 5:20 and then 4:55. Those times arent too bad since Sean's early-season tests for Sogn were running 4:17/4:35 all out. Maybe I'll be able to outclimb him this year too.

Allright so I didn't post this last night, guess it's time for a picture:

This was my bb area, mostly ice encrusted. By the time I met Mark, my rear derailleur would not go past my 15 and I had about 3/4 of an inch encrusting my chainstays. Even the cranks collected ice and grit. Despite the freezing I didnt really have problems shifting or braking. Thank you Shimano

Weekend Recap

2007-02-25T21:49:00.000-06:00

Friday, nothing
Saturday, 4.5 on the trainer mostly base with some standing climbing efforts at low tempo
Sunday 1 hour just to shake out the legs, some highspin intervals, all base pace

AR in two weeks. I feel good, just need to weed my way through my academic obligations

ciao

Epic Territory

2007-02-22T21:06:00.000-06:00

Today's ride ventured into epic territory despite being only 2:15 long. Mostly due to the weather (chillier than expected and windy) and the pace at times. I am tired. Tempo for at least 1.5 hours with the LT intervals, breaking away from the group of Jake Finn and Mike. Did the windmill twice, once as a warm-up (127bpm/1hour)then Northwest Passage in 1:10 (153bpm avg for hr2) and then windmill again (149bpm/3rd hour) and then a .5 hour cool down, part of it on the trainer.

After getting off Old Dutch, I got on the front and pulled a majority of the way to 86, doing an LT invterval from the top of the last hill to the turn for webster. After recovering I just got on the front and hit out on 86, 23 was recovery, windmill got faster and finally I took off to go for a solo 3 miles out from the townline sign, Jake and Finn came with. We ended with the Speedlimit sign sprint, all agreeing that it felt like a race, that it felt good, and that it was, well, awesome. Here's how it played out:

I took off thinking no one would come with. I look back and see Jake sitting on, I attack over the first hill to try and drop him. No such luck. By this time, Finn's with us. The pace drops. eyeballing. lots of eyeballing. Finn comes to the front/attacks, everyone sits on, he gets off I pull half way up the hill, Jake does a short turn, Finn attacks in the big ring, pulls everyone up the rest of the hill. Weak attack from me at the top before the descent, everyone sticks. Jake lets me get behind him, Finn starts the lead out 800 meters from the line, Jake goes I go, I get around Jake and gap him. Game over, sit down and power in for the win.

yes, the glory from the training ride sprints...

good ride had by all.

I chalk it up to a few factors: adequate base, chocolate milk recovery drinking, and 9 hours of sleep over the last few nights (to the chagrin of my roommate). Tomorrow should be a recover day, maybe an hour and a half easy on my own. Just finished d/l'ing the newest Modest Mouse album, should be good for a recovery ride. This weekend I hope it stays nice outdoors, so I can get in another 4 hours Sat and Sun.

3/4 of my profs have ok'ed my trip to Arkansas in a little over two weeks. Nice, two weeks. Hearing from and about my teammates has kept me hyper-motivated for the indoor training. Hope you all are riding back in WI, it's already been a 13.5 hour week for me here in the nolongergreatwhitenorth.

all done

ciao

Out of Doors (day 2)

2007-02-20T18:56:00.000-06:00

So far in the outdoor season, I have already flatted 50 feet from leaving the front door and dropped my chain twice. Hopefully these are the only kinks that need to be worked out as I train.

Today was the second day of riding outside so far this year. Yesterday we had a group of ten: Finn, Jake, Peter, me, Sean, Andrew, Bria, Mark, and then Sue and Patrick from the Mike's Bikes club. It was pretty easy until we turned home, I put the hammer down, I couldn't help it, doing some zone 4/LT intervals and sprints. 1:50 outdoors and a 40 minute session on the old trainer after I got inside. In TX I chatted with a guy named Rob who sang the praises of being honest about base miles: after every effort, he'd see cliffs, nice consistent drops in his heartrate. I've begun to see that happening since I got back to school. Endurance is where I need to focus, and so far it seems to be paying dividends. As for the sprint, that wasn't really a problem in yesterday's ride, 2/2.

Today was a leisurely 4 hours ride, 3:45 outside, 15 inside. avg hr 135 so that was spot on. I went out Old Dutch to the frontage, through Webster and then intsead of cutting down to Lonsdale, I took the long way back. 320th/70th street on the way back was well worth it, 6 miles of new pavement, washed light gray from the salt and winter, but perfect nontheless. No real hard efforts today, max hr of 162. When doing endurance work, for some reason I love riding into the wind, it forces one to go slow, to really work and focus on technique.

Speaking of technique, I've also gained some power from fiddling with my bike fit. I've raised the seat a good inch or so over the last month, and it's starting to feel really comfortable, I might need to go to a 120 stem, but we'll see. Arkansas is only 2.5 weeks away. wow. Should probably get back to school work and get to sleep at a reasonable hour tonight (being a damn college kid and all).

get outside

Weekend Review and New Record

2007-02-14T22:32:00.000-06:00

Managed to get in 7 or so hours of bike time in over the weekend and an "hour" ski, most of which was spent jawing as the tracked trails were just a little too gravelly for Finn, Peter, Nolan, and I. Monday was an off-day and just took it easy, the somewhat habitual 20min wakeup spin. Tuesday I spent 4.5 hours on the trainer, with two 5 min LT intervals. other than that all my trainer time is endurance pace. I really don't mind doing hours of endurance pace, it's what I need the most work on anyway. Tonight was only another half-hour spin, tomorrow hopefully will be another epic session as I don't have class Tuesday or Thursday. For the weekend it'll be 3 hours Friday, maybe Saturday and an epic Sunday, monday off.

Classes are going well, today I learned how ordinary people can torture other people, both method and transformation for my social psych class. It's a solid class, where we'll study the principles of social psych and apply them to the events at Abu Grhaib prison a few years ago. My great-books prof ok'ed my trip to AK and it's one of the greatest motivators to continue to ride the trainer.

In fact, last year I was so new and did not keep any training records, I feel so much fitter this year coming into the season. I have definitely put in way more endurance work (since I know what I'm doing for the most part this year) and have a year of racing under my belt. My only early-season goal so far is Hillsboro-Roubaix and some consistent collegiate results. I don't plan on having any major peaks this year, if it happens, it happens: my superweek peak fell into my lap last year. Hot Dog, Hillsboro-Roubaix sounds like one of the coolest races I have ever seen, 22 mile loop, 3 laps for cat 3's, 1.5 miles of paved brick roads, then shoddy, winding forest roads with short power climbs, and open flat roads through cornfields, sounds perfect.

My weight is also great, I'm hovering at 182-3 which is really only a pound or so away from my post-superweek weight I maintained (riding at 178 during superweek). I'd like to get down to 178 eventually, but it'll have to come from my upperbody, like arms.

This post has gotten long enough

ciao

Another Brief One

2007-02-08T22:55:00.000-06:00

I am up way past my supposed bed-time. This first week of the new semseter has rolled through rather quickly, I'm only averaging an hour and fifteen on the trainer so far, hopefully I can get a whopping NINE hours in over the weekend, with a rest day, one hour day on monday...we'll see. Homework isn't too bad and having class on MWF only is really quite a benefit. Come spring, I'll save my TTh's for endurance, and when the sun stays out long enough, same with MWF, after 1:30.

Texas was a thumbs up experience. Pictures to follow, for now it's time to read some Doestoyevsky and I am too tired to spell correctly.

Ciao

The Short Story

2007-01-31T22:24:00.000-06:00

Summaries as I am tired and need to sleep/get up at 7 am tomorrow:

Sun: 4:15
Mon: 3
Tue: 6:30
Wed: 5:15
Totals so far: 19 HOURS

on the bike in four days. Hot Dog! The weather's been pretty good, I'm hungry (again) and for some reason, I've apparently had quite a bit of B-12 if you know what I mean.

hopefully, I'll get in another three tomorrow and then 6 on friday again. Picture to follow as well as long long write-ups for long long days.

Ciao

Saturday and Sunday in Texas

2007-01-29T09:27:00.000-06:00

Saturday woke up early and goofed around until my final for Art after 1945, it went well though I should have known more about Michel Foucault and his relationship to post-structuralism/post-modernism/art criticism. Afterwards, I just packed and hung out with my roommate Brad and my friend Emma until she drove me to the airport. Watched the news for the first time in forever and it was pretty absurd, the headlines they came up with anyway...
Arrived in TX at 945 pm to a ghosttown of an airport. It was a balmy 40 degrees, but better than 12!

After getting settled I dropped off to sleep and woke up to ride at 8. Didn't end up riding until 1 in the town of Taylor with a few friends of my Aunt Pam's (who I am staying with). We set out for 77 miles but we all couldnt hold the pace to make it in before daylight. Ira, Ron, and Dave (the guy who did the majority of the pulling) were all pretty raw, especially since Ron was the youngest at 40 yrs old. Got 4:15 minutes in the saddle at 65 miles, and there was quite a bit of wind. I'll have pictures up when I get back to MN at the end of the week. Today it's a recovery day as I went MUCH harder than I should have yesterday. Oh well.

Ciao

Quick, Much-needed Update

2007-01-27T08:08:00.000-06:00

Ahh so January has come and gone quite rapidly. I'm three weeks in on mostly bike specific training, doing endurance work on the trainer for 2-3 hours and intensity on the xc skiis for 1-2 hours everyother day. Still planning on using the college season as a means of getting into real shape as my school schedule will allow me to ride at least 3 hours a day everyday so I can build endurance. Today's my Art after 1945 History final, shouldn't go too badly, as I'm feeling "so postmodern"

need to update the links for
Tony Phillip's blog
Tim Kamke's blog
Mach Schnell webiste...

After the final I'm off to a somewhat dreary Austin, TX to stay with my Aunt Pam and put in roughly 25-30 hours on the bike. Despite not having any point of reference and feeling somewhat guilty and the low level of training I have put it, I still feel as if I am in better shape than I was last year; my peak should come in the super week window. Just endurance, and lactate work really; I'm not doing any sprint work except spinning out in a low gear about one time during each work out.

Still have to pack though...better get on it

Ciao,

Brandon

Thumbs-up

2007-01-12T01:25:00.000-06:00

Last season's skinsuit, and my first ever, looking a little loved, a little tired.

Yes, opitimism. And plenty of it.

New Bike Yesterday

2007-01-11T21:22:00.000-06:00

I had to hassle Emma to take these "rare" training photos at the end of a massive 1hr20minute training session in my swanky flat, Hilleboe. At any rate yeup, that's the new bike, built up enough to ride on a trainer (still need to cut the cables and attack the front brake).

Specs:
well hell it's full DA throughout except for the brakes which are Zero-G's (thank you e-bay). Look full carbon fork, Chris King headset, Specialized Toupe saddle, Deda Newton bar and stem. Bontrager Race wheels (just kidding, these are for training).

Tonight is looking like the first all-nighter of my interim course, Art after 1945, need to write a letter to an author but it's only 750 words so no problem there. Boy, am I glad I got in my training tonight, lest I be called a "p*ssy" or a "r*tard."

Looking a wee bit tepid
Apparently, more photos aren't working, I'll those up tomorrow. Oh well.

New Bike Tomorrow

2007-01-09T22:38:00.000-06:00

AFTER SOME CROSS-TRAINING due to inclement weather in the past few days I finally cabled my bars and wrapped them. "They look mean (in the good way) - Emma Hornick. All that's left to do is to pick up my frame and fork from Mike's Bikes of Northfield (they're drilling out the cablestops for the NOKON cabling, cutting the fork, installing the crown race, and putting on the chain) and I'll have my brand new ride for 2007 after several months of ebay-ing (oops). Managed to do 2hrs20 on the trainer yesterday total and have been waking up with 20 minutes on the trainer before going to breakfast. It's not so bad in twenty minute chunks with a break inbetween to vary the elevation of the front wheel and to stretch/eat/whatnot for a minute or two. Tomorrwo Noaa predicts it to be 38 but pretty windy; I'll plan on 3+ hours immediately after class, leaving at 1, maybe gravel, we'll see.

Night

It's Just Unseasonable....

2006-11-20T08:15:00.000-06:00

Not really. It is November after all. After the 4+ hours on Saturday, yesterday I went out for 2 and 3/4 at a relatively easy pace. Avg HR 128, max 161. I am pleased with that data as I felt quite fast, faster into the wind than with it actually? I might've been bonking on the way home just a lil as I hadn't really eaten that much. There was so little wind, but I went against it anyway, up to Webster and then over to Lonsdale and home through Dundas. Just a great day.

out my window:

Today however, I've got my work cut out for me:

So all I've got between me and thanksgiving break is a 6-8 page research paper on the book (Oroonoko) pictured above. It's due wednesday and I'm about 25% done. I've got another to write over break, but overall I'm in pretty good shape for the end of the year.

Back to task I guess

Red Trucks

2006-11-18T18:08:00.000-06:00

So sean and were almost hit by a red truck today.

A good example:

We also rode for 4 hours and 20 from Nfield to Cannon City, Nerstrand, Wanamingo, past Cannon Falls, through Cannon Falls, Randolph, and then home. The day started out from Mike's Bikes, with the Bill and Dave from the Nfld Bike Club as well as Finn. We started off going south despite a northwest wind. Sean was late and ended up getting motorpaced out to us by Ben on his way to Milltown Cycles. Pace was moderate, it was base. Bill sprinted for the Nerstrand Sign and then doubled back. he got Sean, Finn, and I. I though I'd lead out for the stop-ahead sign and then just burned up the legs. oh well. Sean and I rolled on 246, through the back part of the conference course and then north on 1. After turning back on 25, we heard the squeal of locked up tires on pavement. Then an old red dodge truck with three men wearing an assortment of blaze orange drove angrily past. They glowered at us. Cheekily, I gave them the bird for a good 15 to twenty seconds which prompted another squeal of rubber. Two of the them got out and started using the f-word at us. Rude. Sean rolled up to me on the phone with the police immediately and they drove off in a off. Phew. Hopefully they got picked up for road rage...

From that point on, every red truck we saw was a nervous experience. Sean didn't pee on two successive attempts just because of it. At least our sympathetic nerve systems had kicked in and our legs both felt great after the encounter.

Just before getting onto Northfield Blvd., I sprinted/spun out for the stop ahead sign and then Sean just dropped me hard after we turned onto the road. I had no response and let him go. I was more than a little fatigued, so I took a good 1/2 hour cool down.

The man who put 5 minutes into me:

A good, epic ride. Then ate, napped, ate and like a wild college student, am going to embark on upon one or two or maybe three different papers tonight.

ciao

Affairs/Pictures

2006-11-15T16:58:00.000-06:00

This is the state of affairs:

This is the state of affairs: My mattress leaned against the wall/corner and my bike residing where my bed used to be. I've taken to sleeping on the floor...at any rate, as seen below, my bike has been neglected terribly and I think I'm gonna clean it tonight instead of writing a few research papers. The aero-bars are on to help with trainer time, but I'm not buying it. Think I'm just going to raise my stem a tad so it's at least a little more comfortable.

Here's my dirty dirty bottombracket cluster

And my bedpost:

And my future ride??? Still have yet to figure out what groupset to go with, it with, probably DA as that's what the rest of my equipment is...

As soon as I get the rest of my winter clothing from John VanSusteren, I plan on leaving this where it lies, but for tonight I guess I'll put in an hour if I can.

No More Off-Season

2006-11-13T11:36:00.000-06:00

Supppose it is time to restart this old beast. To come out of the off-season. over the past few months since school has started, I've been riding sporadically/as much as possible with an emphasis on my school work. shortly before the halfway point of october, I took 10 days off as a complete rest. Then at the beginning of november, I raced my first 'cross race here on St. Olaf's college campus.

A none-too-glorious shot of me at the run-up

This is the run-up we were faced with, Thorson Hill.

I took 7th in the C field, yes I was sand-bagging but I had never raced 'cross nor had I been training at all really. Jake beat Sean in the collegiate race and was crowned Div II conf. champ. Last week it was 75 on wednesday and I put in 3.5 hours on my favorite loop up through hampton, over to lakeville and then south on dodd rd. Friday we got six inches of snow. As such, I've mounted the aero bars and it's trainer time now. If I could only leave the damn thing in the closet all winter...

My First Picture

2006-08-20T21:12:00.000-05:00

There I am looking like a tremendous workhorse in the cyan/grey/discovery colors at the front of the peloton. This was in kenosha, my first cat 3 race and it rained. We averaged 26.8 mph none the less and as the road are looking dry in the pic, this was probably at 3 laps to go, the initial sprint for position. I was sitting 3rd wheel through turns 1 and 2 and then on the back stretch I was sitting second wheel and then had to pull through 3 and 4 but on four I guess I slowed up alittle which threw off everyone behind me and then we had a nasty cross/tail wind that blew across from a side street and that's when I jumped, and held off the field by a clean (I mean daylight between the rear and the 2nd place finishers front) bike length for 200 or so meters, close to spinning out my 12...

it was a good day

All right, I know it has been awhile as usual, and school is about to start so hopefully I can get my act together and write shorter posts more frequently. On Tuesday I had six wisdom teeth removed so I've been out of the action until yesterday when I went for my first one hour ride since surgery. The surgery itself was enjoyable (if such a thing is possible) because I only had local and n20 and the surgeons said to bring in my iPod if I wanted. Before the surgery I was somewhat depressed and burnt out and took four days off before riding two and then another three off after the surgery. arrg. My form hasn't diminished too much, I fatigue at 2.75 hours now instead of 3.5 and my sprinting seems a little slow, the legs don't rotate as fast as before, but I've got five more days to whip myself back into shape before the WI State Crit on Saturday in Elkhorn. Should be a good time with my family and a few of my friends coming out. It's the last race of the season and then I'm done.

There's a block party afterwards in Mari's neighborhood and I think that's where I will be headed.

School starts on the 3rd, well move in anyway, can't wait to ride with Finn, Jake, Sean, and Peter again to see how well our summer's paid off. In the mean time I face my last week of work and I'll be posting more pics from this year's Superweek periodically.

here's the victory at Kenosha

Roughly 17 hours

2006-07-30T22:34:00.000-05:00

I slept a lot today. Didn't do any riding...oops should have as I already had 7.5 hours at least for the weekend from Friday and Saturday's ride.

My first time out at the Doc Ride on Saturday's went quite well. I ran into my teammate Rita, cat 3, in Wales and we met Jimmy Winters there as well. Together we warmed up and headed to the Doc ride. It was just great, I had 7 teammates there all told. Oh and by Doc Ride, I really mean "group race." Teammates: Johnny, Rick, Barry, Russ, Mark, Jeff, Rita, and Jimmy. As it turned out we did a lot of the pace making at the front too haha. Peloton was pretty sluggish off the bat but I nailed the 2nd intermediate sprint and almost nailed the third one but my lead-out train came up short (wasn't really comprised of teammates, oh well). The 2nd sprint was really a short break up a short power climb led by Johnny and then the Doc and myself. I just pedaled past Johnny and grinned. He said if anyone beat him up to the stop-ahead sign it'd better be me.

one of the guys I ride with is Bill Ochowicz, his brother founded the 7-eleven team here in WI and I'm pretty sure is heavily involved in the Phonak team (eesh) He's quite fast and every ride thus far has beaten me in the final sprint into dousman. It's a great finishing straight, a few rollers through forest a right then a downhill to a left and then flat pine-lined for 3/8 of a mile into the 25mph reduced speed ahead sign. That's the finish. I've jokingly told him that beating him in the sprint would top all of my superweek accomplishments and I finally did. about 2k from the finish I was sitting about 8 wheel two back from Bill. John Van Susteren was going to give me a leadout so he was farther up but an Endeavor guy whose name escapes me was sitting on Bill's wheel and would not give it up. It was frustrating to say the least especially when we rounded the final bend. I was about 8th still and the horses at the front had pulled off to stay out of the sprint. Johnny was bringing it up to mach and it was 1 guy and then Bill in 3rd wheel. the Endeavor guy SAT UP and I was flabbergasted. Yes I know this is a group ride, but seriously... none the less I got around and bridged up just as John was pulling off. I nipped by the stranger and got bill by a length by the sign. And that was that...

I was only joking when I was telling Finn maybe I'll be 2 by the end of summer, but I'm starting to think about it. WIth one top ten and two wins I've got 14 points of 25 for my upgrade. All I need really is more experience. It's something to shoot for. That or if the Tour of 10,000 Lakes is back on, perhaps I'll bag it until then and cat up afterwards. It is certainly a lot to think about.

And I want to go pro, seriously, hopefully by my junior year at Olaf.

That and I'm considering doing my first mountain bike race after the state crit, one of the WORS races, haha I just have to find a bike.

Cheers

Morning

2006-07-29T06:19:00.000-05:00

Off to the Doc ride shortly, my body has the usual 5 hour tightness but hopefully I've got some snap so I can continue to work on my sprint.

then I have to clean my car

Catch-Up

2006-07-28T21:56:00.000-05:00

All right all right this has been put off long enough. Over the next few days I'll be updating my blog with tales of superweek and getting some pretty darn sweet pics up (hopefully, there's an awesome sprint sequence). Where to start?

Today: ended up getting in 5 hours of riding today, the first time that's happened in well over 3 weeks. this week was supposed to be a recovery week from superweek, but it rained 3.5 inches in 1 hour last night so I didn't ride then or tuesday just because I didnt have the itch. so, 2 days of easy riding, 2 days off + working full time. It took a good 2.75 hours initially to get the gunk out of my legs from Superweek. at about 5 I rolled into the Cyclesmith Bike Shop for some tubes and Colin the manager said I should stick around because the Jrs he coaches were shoving off at 6. I got it 40 minutes of recovery and was off again for another 2 hours. Now, I'm cooked. Oh and I was riding in a TT set up.

the uh state TT was supposed to be this weekend but it was canceled due to the hazards of the out and back TT loop in New Glarus, WI. I am still riding the Madone 5.2SL from Milltown Cycles of Faribault, with a mavic cosmic carbone Sl in the rear (long story, but it just might have a happy ending) but I've got a set of Profile T2+ aerobars, a worth-while investment and the "S" bend is fantastic/looks nice. Also if you are ever in a pinch and need something from Europe that you can't get for your bike through your shop, check out www.totalcycling.com I ordered the Bell Meteor II TT lid on tuesday and it came today, fast. So is the helmet...

Sean says the TT is boring, I don't know, it's like an extended hammerfest/sprint. I think I am going to like it quite a bit.

Here are the short stats on Superweek, race reports coming soon:

Wins: 7 (5 cat 4's, 2 cat 3's)
Winner of the 4/5 omnium (which means I'll be getting a Waterford steel frame to build up with Force and Deda parts)

and I had to fill out a w-9 form because I won enough money that they will tax by p-b-a. shoot.

It's off to my first Drop the Doc saturday ride tomorrow, starts at 8, i'll get in a warm up from Wales after driving out there. Should be fast, hope the legs are up to it. Oh this is a mini build for my first pro/1/2/3 race in Sherrill, IA It's the Dan Bockstedt Cup and it'll be 80 miles of "hill yes!" terrain. At least that's what the flyer said...

S-S-S-Superweek

2006-07-09T20:03:00.000-05:00

Some bulletins:

I have a dog now, a 10-month old black lab named Princess. boo. I refrain from calling her by her name as much as possible. My dad and I have taken to calling her sweetie. She is one.

Check out www.wicycling.org for my race results for the last few weeks. Or Finn's blog for the UWW RR race report...

I figured I had better update or discontinue before I head to bed tonight. I chose the former...

Tonight is the second night of superweek, 2 races down possibly fourteen to go. As Noonan would say, I'm bagging it a bit as a 4, but hey there's a steel gunnar/waterford frame with an alpha Q carbon fork for the omnium winner so... Finn I just might be riding steel by next year, and yeah it'd be painted silver white and blue, mostly just silver. Maybe even throw SRAM's new superb grouppo on it... That's what I'm shooting for anyway that and the cat. 3 state TT and crit. None the less,

Day 1: Menasha, Otto Grunski Classic

the course was a triangle with two hairpins and a gentle bend in the middle. The finishing straight was on the second short leg before the long back stretch, which would become crucial to my race finish. The 4/5 field was pretty small for opening day, only 26 racers. There were a variety of attacks and everyone was too squierrely for anything to stick. Two accidents happened in opposing hairpins, one kid a pretty fast Endeavor jr. named Mitch ended up in the turn 1 barriers and he taco'ed his dad's zipp 404. oops. The second crash happened with about 4 left to go which kind of strung out the peloton. I was sitting about 7th and all of the sudden I was pulling. I pulled the last lap and a half. Sitting third into the final corner before the gentle wide turn I lost my line and went wide which left two guys off the front, 2 more filled the gap and they started to get in and out of their saddles, I got back into 3rd wheel and then poof everyone was gone. I was there pulling in the last 450 meters. We had a tailwind for the finish and that makes the sprint a lot shorter in a way, the finish comes up quicker. At 400 meters I jumped and everyone covered me I looked back twice to see if anyone was coming around but they were just hanging on. My rear wheel left the pavement on a bump around the gentle corner but I kept it down and my cadence up. I ended up sprinting for 400 meters and winning by a clean bike lenght. Brian Hertzberg, 3rd, and Andrew from Endeavor 2nd just rode my wheel but couldnt get by me. This bodes well for my form as Hertzberg and I have duked it out in friendly sprints 3 or 4 times. If I can hold him, I don't think I'll have any problems other than positioning and crashing and we all know those damn cat 5's...

Today: Manitowoc First National Bank Classic

Today's course was a .7 mile rectangle with a healthly tail/cross wind. The finishing straight and turn 1 were in the wind the other two sections were tail. We had 4 lanes to work with so most of the cornering was pedaled through. I did not plan on racing today but decided I would just take it easy (which never happens, again the Noonan easy training ride syndrome). I fake attacked no less than 4 times and worked way harder in the closing laps than I wanted to. Dallas Fowler of Chronometro brokeaway at a little after the halfway point. I must say the peloton is full of lazy lazy bitches. About 8 of us were working the soloist had anywhere between 15 seconds to 1:00 on us. Christ we just couldnt organize and the stronger riders were getting tired. Two guys bridged up at about 12 laps to go, I was sitting right behind them and I let them go. Dumb mistake. When I attacked it was to liven up the bunch and get them to chase. No such luck. Everyone else let them roll off... I couldnt find a rhythm to get off the front and we came within 5 seconds of catching. A guy from VeloTek jumped on 2 laps to go and managed to dangle between the bunch and the break. And again I ended up working 1 and 1/2 laps until some guy tried to jump around me on the tailwind section. I hung on and rested up enough to sprint for 200 meters and take 5th on the day, 1st in the field sprint. Just disgusting and frustrating that we couldn't work together to bring it back. That and as one guy asked me in the race, "how many matches do you have?" It's a good question, I need to keep the accountant happy, not go on so many attacks (Finn).

Tomorrow is Alpine Valley, a lot of the stronger guys were masters age and will not be there tomorrow. Today's winner Dallas is sitting just two points down on me, I sit in first with 36 points. He soloed for at least 15 miles today. Hopefully I can crush him in the short power hills tomorrow.
Tuesday is the 2nd RR at the Proving Grounds. Wednesday is Whitnall Park RR which is more like a circuit. All three are double points so I need to be there. Thursday just might be a rest day...or a hang at the back of the pack and just take whatever points come on the day.

Goddam this omnium series for 16 days is just the best thing ever. Time for a cool bath and 10 hrs of sleep. First an MET2 Shake...

2006-06-11T20:48:00.000-05:00

I want to go Pro

Movin' Up-date

2006-06-10T21:19:00.000-05:00

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 Form

2006-06-04T19:39:00.001-05:00

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

On Form

2006-06-04T19:39:00.000-05:00

LAPT/catch-up

2006-06-03T12:50:00.000-05:00

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)

Drop the Doc Tomorrow

2006-05-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

Too tired to rub my hands together in anticipation of tomorrow, a shop ride that's 38 miles and usually done in an hour and a half; it's called "drop the doc" Jesus. On my first day home put in 4:04 with an average heart rate of 158, max 189. I set out at one and ended up weaving back and forth trough Waukesha, Wales, Delafield, Dousman, and Oconomowoc; I'd peg it at 70 or so miles. Today had everything, a couple mile climbs, flat TT, motorpacing, and townline after townline. Right out of the gate, my legs felt quite springy, the day off in the car yesterday must have helped quite a bit. Possibly the best route I've ever taken. The only problems I had were eating too soon before the ride (ham and some old noodles, both cold) so my heart rate was high right from the get-go and not eating enough: a sandwich baggie of raisins, a banana, 16oz coffee, 2shots espresso, 2 powerbars, that's it. The caffeine kind of irritated my stomach for a while and I cramped up after 2 hours on my left side, oops. Unlike Finn (no dis, I dont have the attack abilities except of rollers where I can kill the last third and then descend well; I am a wheel-sticker; pull me), I paced my climbing and it felt great to just sit at about 75-85 of my max and focus on my pedal stroke, killer consistency. |

On the note of pedaling, I have some product reviews. Foolishly (or maybe not) I threw down around 5 benjy's for the Shimano 215's (silver looks so fast) and the Look Keo Carbon Ti's. Shit. My feet and knees have never felt so great, and I think there is a larger Q-factor than my old Look 196's. So familiar yet so much better. The 215's also helped as they feel feathery even with the cleats and the ratchet strap makes adjustment on the fly so much easier. Also, cappucino power bars? cappucino power bars.

Tomorrow I start my American Dream, working full time at Mathison Metalfab, my grandfather's metal fabrication shop. With two raises under my belt through the spring, I should be able to afford (waste more money) racing as often as possible. Currently I also "unattached" and need to find a team... maybe LAPT, their kits kind of look like Milram. My five o'clock wakeup is approaching so I should probably get to bed, more catch-up later (weekend plans, Ole Tri results, etc)

Slainte

Trialling of Sorts

2006-05-19T07:32:00.000-05:00

Woke up at ten til six this morning to begin studying for yet another time trial of a sort, my Norwegian exam. Have to say it is a decent language, and I am considering concentrating in it. After posting I will still need to study my strong verbs. Joy of joys.

After Wednesday's rest day due to the OPUS crit on tuesday in which I pulled down third in the final spring and in points for my first cash prize, $5, I was going to take it easy in prep for the ITT this coming weekend. Thanks to an initially unintentional leadout by Finn I took the first prime and and third in the final. According to the winning man, we were averaging at least 24mph for 28 minutes, and that is fast. Yesterday a guy named David came out with Finn, Baur and me. He wasn't too bad and has enough heft that he'd make a very very decent midwest sprinter. We still killed it though and dropped him (unintentionally) no less that 4 times. One day we will get easy days right... After my final, I think it'll just be lunch and I just might go out for a few hours, to Sogn, to pick up my waterbottle thrown during the conference RR.

Hey, it was a good bottle.

Diamonds

2006-05-18T13:19:00.000-05:00

To clarify, I'm a 19-year old college student and cyclist succumbing to the awesome weight of peer pressure. Currently, I have no idea what shape this will take but the list of potentials includes:training diary, rant space, emo-confessional (kidding), and a few others I guess. In a little less than an hour and a half I have my first final for the end of my first year at college. Congratulations to my peers. Post-final I should be heading out for a moderately paced 13 mile time trial in prep for the team triathlon this coming Sunday. The sweet escape of summer starts Monday

Cheers

Dirty Hands/American Summer

2006-05-17T21:28:00.000-05:00

With four days of finals ahead, it is so close until I work at the factory again and summer training miles alone begin...