I'm arriving a day early for camp so I can do the "assault on Mt. Lemmon".
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Signed up for Pac-tour camp in AZ
I signed up for a Pac-tour training camp in Arizona. Can't wait! I'll fly into Tucson a day early so I can climb Mt. Lemmon. Then it's off to Sierra Vista for "coaching" week. See www.pactour.com (This will be my 4th camp with Lon and Susan.)
I'll be riding my Ritchey Breakaway Bike!
I'll be riding my Ritchey Breakaway Bike!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Too much work, too little cycling
Because of work and last-minute travel, I missed the following events this year:
1) 3/4 Coburg TTs
2) Shasta Training Camp
3) Alpine Century (prepaid)
4) Lighthouse Century (prepaid)
5) Eugene Celebration Stage Race
6) Tour of Southern Utah
Better luck next year.
I have about of month of vacation accrued and the sad part is that we're no longer allowed to carry leave between years. Perhaps I'll do a month long tour in a warmer place in December!
1) 3/4 Coburg TTs
2) Shasta Training Camp
3) Alpine Century (prepaid)
4) Lighthouse Century (prepaid)
5) Eugene Celebration Stage Race
6) Tour of Southern Utah
Better luck next year.
I have about of month of vacation accrued and the sad part is that we're no longer allowed to carry leave between years. Perhaps I'll do a month long tour in a warmer place in December!
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Covered Bridge Bike Tour
On Sunday, I rode the Covered Bridge Bike Tour. Rode better than I did on the TT the day before. This time I rode my Cervelo with a Hed Alps front wheel. (Rear wheel is in the shop.) Averaged 18.1 over the course and seemed to ride well. Only a couple of people passed me, but I stayed with them and eventually got away on the rollers.
Met up with Jim Lofgren a couple of times. He rode superbly and we took turns pulling each other and managed to keep away from a paceline he had passed. After the Crabtree stop, I caught up with the group again, and instead of passing, I moved to the front and pulled them into Albany. We had a good time! ;-)
Met up with Jim Lofgren a couple of times. He rode superbly and we took turns pulling each other and managed to keep away from a paceline he had passed. After the Crabtree stop, I caught up with the group again, and instead of passing, I moved to the front and pulled them into Albany. We had a good time! ;-)
Saturday, August 08, 2009
2nd place in "retro" division TT
Rode my Colnago in the Willamette "Epic" TT (42K). I rode it what it came with in 1993 -- 36-spoke box rims and Campy 8-speed components. (If I race this division again, I'll put on lighter wheels and aerobars and perhaps warm up better.)
I wish there were a "Merckx" division -- no aero nothin'!
I wish there were a "Merckx" division -- no aero nothin'!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Decker #35
Rode it on the Colnago. Felt exhausted before the ride, but came alive on the second half of the course!
Monday, August 03, 2009
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Decker #32
Rode the Decker loop for the 32nd time this year. Took out the '93 Colnago Master Light. Sure was good to get out after not riding for 5 days. (Had to go to L.A. to visit a customer.)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Rode the 104 mile Marcola Loop today
Earnest Bridge (near Marcola), built in 1938 (top)
View of the McKenzie River (middle)
Rode my '93 Colnago (Main Stree Cafe, Brownsville) (bottom)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Another day, another Decker
Seems my favorite ride these days is the Decker Loop. And for some reason, I'm not riding my carbon bike, but my oldest (and classiest) steel bike -- the Colnago.
Last night I put its original wheels on it and a 11-25 cassette. I had planned to do the Strawberry century on it, but it was pouring down rain this morning. I just can't get that bike wet -- it'll rust.
All said, the Decker loop was just fine. Totally peaceful!
Last night I put its original wheels on it and a 11-25 cassette. I had planned to do the Strawberry century on it, but it was pouring down rain this morning. I just can't get that bike wet -- it'll rust.
All said, the Decker loop was just fine. Totally peaceful!
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
My '93 Colnago MasterLight (Campy 8-speed)
I bought it new in '93 (at the now defunct O'Neil's in Worcester, MA) and rode it up the east coast the next day in Boston-Montreal-Boston.
It's equipped with Campy Chorus 8-speed (straight-block, 11-19) and Mavic CXP-30 wheels. Gotta love those chrome lugs!
(I've since leveled the saddle -- the photo clued me in that it had slipped!)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Rode 400+ miles at PAC-Tour Coaching week (Feb 28 - March 7th)
Here I am at the top of Mule Pass (near Bisbee, AZ). Rode my Ritchey Breakaway -- great bike!
See my camp photos.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
I'm at PAC-Tour training camp in AZ
Here's a photo David Rowe took of me as I pulled out of the first SAG stop on the way to Mule Pass...
Itinerary:
Day 1 Sat Feb 28 Arrive in Tucson 33-50 - On Your Own Ride
Day 2 Sun Mar 1 Tucson to Sierra Vista 84
Day 3 Mon Mar 2 Coronado Loop 46-60
Day 4 Tue Mar 3 Mule Pass - Tombstone 45-62
Day 5 Wed Mar 4 Elgin or Sonoita Loop 60-75
Day 6 Th Mar 5 South Bisbee Loop 45-60
Day 7 Fri Mar 6 Sierra Vista to Tucson 88
Day 8 Sat Mar 7 Fly home and depart Tucson Ride on own
Itinerary:
Day 1 Sat Feb 28 Arrive in Tucson 33-50 - On Your Own Ride
Day 2 Sun Mar 1 Tucson to Sierra Vista 84
Day 3 Mon Mar 2 Coronado Loop 46-60
Day 4 Tue Mar 3 Mule Pass - Tombstone 45-62
Day 5 Wed Mar 4 Elgin or Sonoita Loop 60-75
Day 6 Th Mar 5 South Bisbee Loop 45-60
Day 7 Fri Mar 6 Sierra Vista to Tucson 88
Day 8 Sat Mar 7 Fly home and depart Tucson Ride on own
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Bike fit & new orthotics
Went over to Bend to see Scott Peterson to get fitted with new orthotics and shims for my cycling shoes. Seems that my Breakaway was set up properly, so no fit was needed. (I simply set it up like another bike that I was fitted on.)
The new orthotics are very light. Just an added bonus because materials have improved!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Indoor cycling -- observations....
Indoor cycling instructors often say they are "teaching class". Usually there isn't a theme -- just a random workout set to music. What I hate the most is the routine where we rapidly and seemingly randomly transition between positions 1, 2, and 3.
It's interesting to see some people pedaling at a zillion rpm (with practically no resistance). What's up with that?
One of our class leaders is also the club owner. I don't necessarily agree with all the routines (like what's referred to as "freezes". He even pulls out his "favorite" DVD and has members balance it on their head. For a long time.)
However, he does a *lot* of things right. He knows all of our names and he calls us out. He thanks us for coming. He has mini competitions between rows or between the "boys and girls" that seems quite effective. (Sometimes he picks on someone and sends them "up the road", only to be "chased down". He's loud too -- and we really work hard in there!
One of my favorite instructors, the "Helenator" (my nickname for her), no longer works at the gym. She was the 80s disco queen and you knew you were in for a good workout when she says to "turn it up 6 turns!!!"
It's interesting to see some people pedaling at a zillion rpm (with practically no resistance). What's up with that?
One of our class leaders is also the club owner. I don't necessarily agree with all the routines (like what's referred to as "freezes". He even pulls out his "favorite" DVD and has members balance it on their head. For a long time.)
However, he does a *lot* of things right. He knows all of our names and he calls us out. He thanks us for coming. He has mini competitions between rows or between the "boys and girls" that seems quite effective. (Sometimes he picks on someone and sends them "up the road", only to be "chased down". He's loud too -- and we really work hard in there!
One of my favorite instructors, the "Helenator" (my nickname for her), no longer works at the gym. She was the 80s disco queen and you knew you were in for a good workout when she says to "turn it up 6 turns!!!"
Monday, January 26, 2009
Another spinning class
I sat in the back today so I could observe the styles of different participants and make mental notes of the instructor's program.
There's the mad-spinner who thinks that you don't get a workout unless you're pedaling a zillion rpm. (It doesn't help when the leader thinks that the best riders are the ones who pedal so fast they're nearly out of control.)
The leader doesn't vary his program very much. Today he proudly proclaimed that the "cyclists" in the class aren't going to like these moves very much. He had us do some "hovers" where we had to alternate placing a arm behind our backs.
Then of course there were the "freezes". He takes a DVD (his "favorite" one or a book) and places it on some poor rider's head to see how long they can keep it up there. I think it's really a chance for him to get a rest because he's off the bike for a while. I'm not sure the "burn" from this maneuver his worth it -- see Jennifer Sage's e-book, See "Keep it Real".
My favorite contraindicated move was a tie between "backward hovers", and alternating between pedaling forward and backwards. (I didn't pedal backwards; this puts too much force on the knees and I'm trying not to provoke my left knee, the one on my "expensive" leg.)
All in all the instructor is quite good. He engages us in mock competitions between the various rows. The music is good too and he encourages us to make suggestions. And he knows every student by name and makes sure to establish "touch points".
There's the mad-spinner who thinks that you don't get a workout unless you're pedaling a zillion rpm. (It doesn't help when the leader thinks that the best riders are the ones who pedal so fast they're nearly out of control.)
The leader doesn't vary his program very much. Today he proudly proclaimed that the "cyclists" in the class aren't going to like these moves very much. He had us do some "hovers" where we had to alternate placing a arm behind our backs.
Then of course there were the "freezes". He takes a DVD (his "favorite" one or a book) and places it on some poor rider's head to see how long they can keep it up there. I think it's really a chance for him to get a rest because he's off the bike for a while. I'm not sure the "burn" from this maneuver his worth it -- see Jennifer Sage's e-book, See "Keep it Real".
My favorite contraindicated move was a tie between "backward hovers", and alternating between pedaling forward and backwards. (I didn't pedal backwards; this puts too much force on the knees and I'm trying not to provoke my left knee, the one on my "expensive" leg.)
All in all the instructor is quite good. He engages us in mock competitions between the various rows. The music is good too and he encourages us to make suggestions. And he knows every student by name and makes sure to establish "touch points".
Review of CycleFilm's "Road to Mt. Ventoux 2009" video
As the 200th follower of CycleFilm on Twitter, I was the (unexpected) winner of one of their recon films of the climb up Mt. Ventoux for L'Etape Du Tour 2009.
L'Etape Du Tour is a ride for the "rest of us" (well those who are very fit) where we can experience a stage of the tour -- in this case Stage 20.
The DVD is professionally produced and the next best thing to climbing Mt. Ventoux yourself. The narrator, a rider, takes you up the mountain, explaining strategy you should consider if you ride the E'Tape.
Even if you're not going to do E'Tape, the video is an excellent preview of the ride, one which you could do yourself or with some friends. (A nice touch was the glimpses of local life and a short tour of the Nugat factory.)
The video is 90 minutes and is "zone free". (I played mine on a Macbook.) While I got my sample for free, I'm considering purchasing a few more of these. (I'd love to see Alp D'Huez, for example.)
See http://www.cyclefilm.com
L'Etape Du Tour is a ride for the "rest of us" (well those who are very fit) where we can experience a stage of the tour -- in this case Stage 20.
The DVD is professionally produced and the next best thing to climbing Mt. Ventoux yourself. The narrator, a rider, takes you up the mountain, explaining strategy you should consider if you ride the E'Tape.
Even if you're not going to do E'Tape, the video is an excellent preview of the ride, one which you could do yourself or with some friends. (A nice touch was the glimpses of local life and a short tour of the Nugat factory.)
The video is 90 minutes and is "zone free". (I played mine on a Macbook.) While I got my sample for free, I'm considering purchasing a few more of these. (I'd love to see Alp D'Huez, for example.)
See http://www.cyclefilm.com
Sunday, January 18, 2009
First ride of the year -- 23 miles
Did the old standby, the Peterson loop. Would have done Decker, but I was seeing frost in the shadows, so I took the bypass to Peterson.
Test out my new Castelli Espresso jacket (red) and silver Rudy Project RB3s. Both are winners. (I have other Castelli products and they're stellar. I have older pairs of RB3s as well. The new ones have an updated prescription insert.)
Thanks Sandy for recommending the Castellis!!!
Test out my new Castelli Espresso jacket (red) and silver Rudy Project RB3s. Both are winners. (I have other Castelli products and they're stellar. I have older pairs of RB3s as well. The new ones have an updated prescription insert.)
Thanks Sandy for recommending the Castellis!!!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
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