Thousyard stare/TT face

A Laughing/No Laughing Matter

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!

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

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

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

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, ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flurries / 5 hour day

Not too much to say

Jake Brow and I struck out from the docks for some good tempo work

5 hours in the saddle today

and I'm happy

Forced Rest

After the race last weekend, I rode well whatever, I rode Mon and did so little Tues that it probably didnt count. skipped wednesday, rode for at hour Thu and Friday, havent ridden yet this weekend (and won't). Tomorrow though should be a good long ride with Jake Brow from IS corp and maybe JV as well. The weather has been garbage and we all know it. Hence, pseudo-forced rest

I've been quite busy with my other "passion" (no not my girlfriend JESUS), school work. from the training camp through spring break I am still having to play a lot of catch-up and that's what I should be getting back to in a few minutes, O accounting homework...

Has anyone else noticed the amount of cycling on tv lately? The US. Open on NBC yesterday and then De Ronde today? it's been pretty great to watch some decent TV over this easter weekend. It's actually pretty motivating, something I've been well lacking for the last week. It seems that I confirmed my form Sunday and Monday last week and now I'm resting on my laurels. that's not a good idea. the next three days will be ridden hard or long or both. Thursday as recovery friday I don't know what'll happen, maybe two hours, 1 easy and one hard, broken up. who knows?

Tuesday I fly back so

in other news, JV started a blog (out of return-of-winter boredom?)
here it is: www.humofthetubular.blogspot.com yes, it is in team colors (quite appropriate)

Ciao

Pics from Break

In reverse order: well nevermind what's going on here. I am excited to race again and have dressed up the night before the big day!


I am obviously quite excited here, as you can see by my child-like expression. Vittoria Open Tubular Pave's . Marvellous.


True spring classic grit in an american style criterium, complete with standing water, a snaking climb, strong winds, dodgy riding etc. Pulled down 2nd in the first race of the season. Thanks Mike and Emma for sticking around to watch in the wet and the drear. Well Emma really had no choice as we were going to ride back to school together. But she did have the car keys.


Glamorous VO2 max testing in the UofI Hospital. I was encouraged repeatedly to just "keep pushing, just a little more, keep pedaling," and that I was "doing great."


With the expert, Dr. Doug Hornick (Emma's dad, he's a pulmonary specialist and doesnt appreciate his daughter smoking the hookah).

Confirmation

Tony started to hassle me a bit to get this blog updated, it has been quite awhile, since I left for spring break really. At any rate here's what's gone down:

Saturday the 24th was the KU RR, in which I double flatted within the first four miles. My season could only get better from here no? Took it easy the rest of the day, skipping the TTT and the crit the next day. For some reason I thought I was on the verge of over-training the week before. Maybe I was just hyper-ventilating for an extended period of time.

There was also some concern over a potential heart condition so I wanted to rest as I was spending Mon-Wed visiting the hospital in Iowa City. Tuesday:

VO2 max testing with Emma's dad and the Iowa City group ride, which I took out handily. Finn and I rocked some pretty sweet roads around IC on monday, included these great pave sections just west of downtown.

Wednesday I was catheterized to see if the Dock Martins (not the shoe, an electrophysiologist) could simulate my condition. Turns out I have atrial tachycardia, but it's not problematic. Only I wasnt allowed to race saturday, so I skipped Hillsboro Roubaix. Oh well, maybe next year...

Sunday was the return trip to school, but first I raced the WCA season opener in Sheboygan WI. Took 2nd on the day doing most of the owrk with Stemper, Alvarez, and Meier. Klapperich got off the front and the heavy guy took it away on the downhills. It seemed few could work, so we eventually stopped chasing on the bell lap and raced for second place. It was wet. It was gritty. There are some pictures. Now I'm at school, have two papers to write and then I leave for home again tomorrow. Doc Ride at 9 on Saturday, should be a grand old time.

Nevermind, blogger's being slow, guess it'll just be a V02 max test pic instead.

Ciao

Confirmation

Tony started to hassle me a bit to get this blog updated, it has been quite awhile, since I left for spring break really. At any rate here's what's gone down:

Saturday the 24th was the KU RR, in which I double flatted within the first four miles. My season could only get better from here no? Took it easy the rest of the day, skipping the TTT and the crit the next day. For some reason I thought I was on the verge of over-training the week before. Maybe I was just hyper-ventilating for an extended period of time.

There was also some concern over a potential heart condition so I wanted to rest as I was spending Mon-Wed visiting the hospital in Iowa City. Tuesday:

VO2 max testing with Emma's dad and the Iowa City group ride, which I took out handily. Finn and I rocked some pretty sweet roads around IC on monday, included these great pave sections just west of downtown.

Wednesday I was catheterized to see if the Dock Martins (not the shoe, an electrophysiologist) could simulate my condition. Turns out I have atrial tachycardia, but it's not problematic. Only I wasnt allowed to race saturday, so I skipped Hillsboro Roubaix. Oh well, maybe next year...

Sunday was the return trip to school, but first I raced the WCA season opener in Sheboygan WI. Took 2nd on the day doing most of the owrk with Stemper, Alvarez, and Meier. Klapperich got off the front and the heavy guy took it away on the downhills. It seemed few could work, so we eventually stopped chasing on the bell lap and raced for second place. It was wet. It was gritty. There are some pictures. Now I'm at school, have two papers to write and then I leave for home again tomorrow. Doc Ride at 9 on Saturday, should be a grand old time.

Nevermind, blogger's being slow, guess it'll just be a V02 max test pic instead.

Ciao

Intervals with Krueg

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.