Training on the open road

Yesterday I decided to try my training on the open road.  I have been doing the time crunched cyclist training plan, and I am now finishing my 9th week.  Most of the time I just do not have enough light to safely train outside, but there is also another reason I choose not to do the training on the open road...Safety.

Some of the workouts, namely the PFPI's, cause me to feel as if I am about to fall over after the exertion.  There are actually times that I feel like my legs are ready to go super nova

Obviously not me!

my lungs are going to liquify

Not my lungs, it would be hard to ride with these.  From buzzel.com

and my brain is going to heat up so much that it steams out of my ears!

Not me, again, but how I feel.  From iStockphoto

You combine all these sensations and I am terrified that something only quantifiable by the LHC, Large Hadron Collider, is inevitably going to happen.

Today I decided to put these fears aside.  I cleaned my second love (Sorry Bella, but my bike is beautiful and I do love her), shaved my legs for the psychological perception of added speed, and donned my team kit before heading out the door.  For extra good measure, I did a couple extra clicks on the buckles of my shoes and was off like a herd of dirty tortoises (we all know those guys are fast)...almost!

It was 35 degrees, so I hopped onto my turbo for a quick warm up.  Once warm, I finally got on my Wilear and hit the open road.  I road for about 15 minutes in the EM range and then went at it hard.

Yesterday I was to do 12 minutes of Over/Unders, followed by 8 minutes rest, then 12 minutes O/U's, another 8 minutes rest, and one last set of 12 minutes O/U's.  Even though the plan did not call for it, I decided to go and push it hard on Old Eli Hill.  My goal was to establish a new PR, which I thought would be tough after already completing two sets of O/U's.

I flew up the hill...Each time I felt myself slowing, I would get out of the saddle and push a little harder.  By the time I reached the top I looked like a sloppy mess. There was sweat all over my face, drool on my chin, and snot streaming from my nose.  If you have ever ridden at your limit for a long time, you know that means you have just completed something good...New PR!!!  I did another 8 minutes rest, after nearly vommitting on myself, and then did my last set of O/U's.

This might have been my best workout yet. I was neverous about being on the road, for the workout, but it was so much better than training inside.  It was easier to hit my target HR ranges, time went faster, and again much more enjoyable being outside versus inside.  Even better was that the weather was great and it was in the mid 40's when I got home.

Update:  According to Strava, I set two new KOM's on this ride.  I have to say that I am really impressed with myself, not that it takes a lot for me to impress myself.

Riding style

Today I was sitting and enjoying doing nothing, while watching some talking heads on TV...This is actually a pretty rare occurrence for me, as I rarely sit and do nothing.  Not that I do not have time to do nothing, just that I have a hard time doing nothing.  I am a person who is always moving and never still, refer to my previous post (Work...aghhh).  While sitting here, I saw an article on Thomas Voeckler and thought "if I could ride like anyone, it would be Voeckler!"

You might say what about Lance Armstrong...NOPE, what about Alberto Contador or Andy Schleck...NOPE and NOPE, Cadel Evans...Nahhhh.  Well, why Voeckler?

Voekler has an aggressive, all in type of style I love to watch.  Voeckler is unafraid to attack, and when doing so he puts forth every once of energy into his attack.  Voeckler seems to always find a way into the break and challenges everyone in the peleton...They know that he can win if they do not shut him down (Barbantse Pijl).

I also think Voeckler's expressions are great.  When he is going all out, his mouth is wide open and his tongue is hanging out like a tired old dog.  It is even somewhat funny to see it move back and forth, though I am constantly worried that he will hit a pothole and unfortunately bite off his tongue.  I cannot imagine the result would be positive for his race season.  You can see Voeckler grimace as he tries to dig deeper to find that last ounce of energy, which he unbelievably has most of the time.  Voeckler never makes a race look easy.  You can actually feel his pain as he fights the bike, rain, wind, and road; all while trying to stay away from the ominous presence of the ever closing peloton.

Voeckler uses everything he has been given to make sure he can achieve his goals...brains, power, and instinct.  When combined with a little luck he finds a way to win when others cannot.

Side note...I began writing this post the other day, then became distracted (happens a lot), and then watched the Barbantse Pijl last night.  I really wish I had posted this before the race, Wednesday, then I could claim to be clairvoyant and make money off my amazingly accurate predictions.

Work...aghhh

Both yesterday and today I was at my job looking outside and imagining what it would be like if I did not have to work.  The birds were chirping, the breeze was gently blowing, and the sun was shinning.  It was absolutely glorious, and I was dreadfully stuck inside.   

Everyday I am lucky enough to actually have a job, and it is a job I do enjoy so I really cannot complain.  I teach high school to mostly eager learners.  Each day brings a completely new, and sometimes testing experience.  I see over 180 students each day, and in 11years of teaching I will have had at least 1,980 different students walk into my classroom. 

I share this because I do not want anyone to think I hate my job...Like most cyclists, I would rather be outside riding my bike and enjoying the great weather we are currently experiencing, than inside working.  Many people in the Pacific Northwest experience SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).  I on the other hand do not, instead I experience NERD.  NERD you ask?  Yes, NERD! 

NERD stands for Not Enough Riding Disorder.  NERD is frequently experienced by cyclists in the Pacific Northwest, but any cyclist may be affected by its dreadful symptoms.  I typically notice the appearance of the first symptom shortly after the beginning of October....my amazing cycling tan lines start to fade.  Shortly there after my mileage begins to decrease, which is quickly followed by my stomach changing shape and taking the appearance of a slightly furry bouncy ball.  There is also the horrible symptom of "nervous" energy.  I become restless and cannot sit still.  This year I think I have managed a collective 7.25 minutes of stillness, and I have nearly gone mad as a hatter.

Bella often wakes at 3 or 4 am to the sound of me pacing in the house, tinkering in the garage, watching infomercials while trying read, or trying to coax her out of bed for a walk in the snow (her favorite by far).  Bella knows NERD is temporary and quickly subsides once the weather turns and I can consistently ride my bike outside.  Bella yearns for the remission of NERD, and peaceful nights of sleep.

However, once NERD is in remission she quickly begins to experience her own disorder...WoW.  WoW is not how it sounds, rather WoW stands for Wife or Widow.  Which is the question she asks herself many times during the summer.  Though in recent years we have found an easy treatment for WoW, and I am sure it can be adapted to your significant other. 

1 - At home I must allot at least 2 days cycling free, and spend them doing the worst imaginable thing known to all of MANkind, shopping.  Consequence...punctured tires and a Stans sealant all over the garage.
2 - Casual mornings with no rush for her to complete my daily mental checklist of his and her chores.  Consequence...removing all energy gels (Please do not mention my secret stash)
3 - Don't walk with a lethargic pace and complain how my legs are tired from a killer ride.  Consequence...Removal of rear wheel for 2 days.
4 - This might be the most important!  When we go on vacations, I must complete my rides by 10 am.  Consequence...Penalty of death.

For me the good news...summer is quickly approaching and I will have lots of time to ride, reflect, and enjoy the best weather in the nation while NERD goes into remission.  The bad news...summer is quickly approaching and Bella will begin to experience WoW.

Weekend rides in the sun...really!

This weekend was a great one in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  I was able to get in two group rides and not have to wear winter/rain gear, which is pretty awesome.  In case you did not know spring is still really winter and summer does not begin until July.  That means when the sun is out and the temperature is above 55 we are in heaven out here.  Turns out there are scattered reports that Sunday hit 70!!!  I do not think we hit 70 until mid August last year.

Saturday on Inter Urban Trail near Kent, Wa.

Saturday I was able to ride with some guys from wheelsportcycling.com.  They are a good group of guys and have routes that I do not normally ride.  Shortly before starting the ride we received a good omen, if you believe in those, a bald eagle flew over.  I have to say they are very pretty birds and I am always amazed when I see how big they really are.  

Saturday Chris (left) Chet (right)

The temperature was a little chilly, but was perfect by the end of the ride.  We rode from Kent up to Seattle, across I-90 and then back to Kent.  Not too much in the way of hills, but a couple of very small bumps along the way.  The pace was great and everything went smoothly except for the two flats one of the guys experienced.  From what I hear, there is not an uncut spot on his tires and he would do himself well if he chose another brand.

Saturday me in Seattle

Sunday I was able to get with David (Wheelsport) and fellow Bonney Lake Cycling teammates, Scott and Brent.  We started in Orting and did a great ride out past Fairfax bridge and back.  Along the way we had a few breakaways on climbs (sorry Scott et. al.), on the descents (thanks David and Brent), and the final non-official sprint into town (sorry guys).  The ride was great, but again plagued by tire issues.

Sunday, Scott contemplating tossing his wheels and tires off the bridge???

This time it was a teammate, so I will definitely point out some issues...

1 - Never go on a ride without a tube, you are begging for a flat!

2 - Never ask the guy that rides tubless if he has a tube.  (Unbelievably, I actually did)

3 - If the tubeless guy does have a tube, it probably is crap and will flat on you (Sorry Scott)

4 - Never push your luck when riding on a flat

Being the nice guy I am, I volunteered to give Scott my tube.  In no time flat (pun intended) Scott had his tire ready to roll (I am good with these).  About 7 miles later I hear Scott shouting "FLAT" as the rest of us were going about 25mph.  I relayed the message forward, we all turned around and proceeded to watch. 

If you have never seen it, it is quite the scene watching one guy change a flat and the rest of his buddies watching with nothing to do.  We quickly discovered that my tube, now Scott's, was old and the patch that had been there since "Dinosaurs Roamed the Earth" was no good.  Luckily David had a tube and we were back on our way.

We ended our ride with no other flats and a smooth run into Orting.  I was kind enough to let Scott sit in the wind for 4-5 miles and then jumped out of line for a sprint with 0.2 miles to go.  I knew he appreciated the sprint, why else would he have done all that work just for yours truly.  Best part was that neither Brent nor David could pass me or even catch my wheel...granted there was no official sprint sign or agreement to sprint.  

I always enjoy a good Sunday ride, and it is even better when I get to ride with good teammates and friends.  I want to thank Scott, Brent and David for joining me on the ride.

Hey Assos Guy...

Have you ever noticed the Assos bib shorts guy???  Well I have, or I would not be writing a post directed at him.

Dude is super ripped, I am not talking about the guy works out a couple times a week or a couple times a day...I am thinking he works out nonstop and is juiced.  Seriously...I do not have hair follicles where this guy has muscles.  I also think he might be related to a terminator.  Look at his robotic pose.  No facial expression (he means business), every muscle showing (very Arnold), glasses to hide his cyborg implant eyes, and stiff as a board with hands in form for an instant Judo chop.

Speaking of muscles, when was the last time you saw a cyclist that ripped?  I look in the mirror each day, and the only lines of definition I see are the ever more apparent crows feet by my eyes.  What cyclist really needs 48" biceps and a 60" chest?

I know I am not the only person who has noticed this.  My teammate kept telling me how cool our new arm and leg warmers look with the new kit.  I asked to see a pic, and what do I get????  You got that right, the Assos guy pose.  Luckily for me Scott kept his shirt on, but he did state that tried to do the Assos guy justice. 

What do you think about the Assos guy, have you noticed the same thing?  Hey Assos guy...a little less juice, a little less terminator, and try actually riding a bike.

Ohhhh Fabulous Fabian, what has happened?

Two years ago Fabulous Fabian had an amazing Spring Classics season...so much so, rumors circulated that he had a motor in his bicycle.  Fabian was by far the strongest and fastest rider winning E3 Harelbeke, the Tour of Flanders, and Pais-Roubaix.

In 2011 Fabulous was still strong but did not get the same results of the previous year, winning E3 Harelbeke, 3rd in the Tour of Flanders and 2nd in Paris-Roubaix.

This year things have gone from good, Strade Bianche (1st) and Milan Sanremo (2nd and criticism) to really BAAAAAAAD, Tour of Flanders (crashed out).  Check out the before and after picture of Cancellara's collarbone.  I know what you are thinking...that had to REALLY hurt.  However, he hopes to be racing again in May.  I could not imagine being back so soon.

Oregon Trip (3/19/2012)

I originally posted this on my bike teams blog, http://teambonney.blogspot.com/, and decided to add it to my blog.

I was out of town this weekend (3/19/2012) celebrating my wife's birthday, St. Patty's day and Double Mountain Brewery's 5th anniversary. I also brought my bike and promised it would not interfere with the trip...as any cyclist knows that can be difficult.  So....to live up to my promise, I was out the door before sunrise each morning and on the bike so I could be back by 9:30 am.

Day 1, Troutdale - McMenamins Edgefield, I had a decent size head ache from the night before.  Let's just say that our friends and the Edgefield know how to do it right.  It was 38 degrees, raining and yet still an amazing morning.  I decided to ride on Hwy 30, the scenic highway, and put in a good hour and a half.  Little did I know that in that short time, 24.5 miles, I would have 2100+ feet of climbing.  The views were great and I was able to do a pretty killer work out.  As promised, I was back on time and able to join everyone for breakfast...Yes, of course I showered first!

Day 2, Hood River, Celebrated most of the previous day at Double Mt.  Had a great dinner with my beautiful wife and closed the evening with a free concert...The Meat Puppets!!!  Once again I was out the door early and immediately reconfirmed what I already knew...there really are no flat spots in Hood River.  Right out the door I had an 8% climb, which means absolutely no warm up.  I then had a .5 mile relatively flat run until I encountered a miniature version of Alpe d'Huez.  Next onto Hwy 30 east with some spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge.  I decided I should turn around when I hit Rowena and was lucky enough to have very little of the areas famous winds.  I did 2 hours, 32 miles and nearly 2400 ft of climbing, with temperature near freezing at the start and no rain.