Goings On

Been riding a little more lately. In the last week, I've ridden 4 times and today will be the first back to back day I've had in a while. Last night was 90 minutes out in the valley doing loops. Yep, those boring 18-19mph loops just riding recovery around and around. My legs really seemed to feel better at the end of the night, too. Saturday was another edition of the Covered Bridge route. Man, that ride kicked me hard. It was fun to share the ride with 3 teammates and a buddy from work who races for Manchester Trek, because without them, I'm sure it would have taken me twice as long.

For the rest of the year, I will be focusing my efforts off-road. Mountain biking and cyclocross will fill out the remainder of the competitive events. I may jump into 1 race at the Gateway Cup, but it's been too much this year trying to balance all of the options of racing road and off-road. Besides, there are some great events coming up in the next few months. Greensfelder, Cape Girardeau, Rapture in Misery, and Burnin' at the Bluff just to name a few.

From the training perspective, I made a decision to drop my coach, Andy Gibbs. This was a very difficult decision for me. Andy helped me prepare myself far beyond what I thought was possible. I recall thinking about what sort of times I would need running to be competitve in the sport class this year and simply shook my head in disbelief. Andy helped me prepare a plan to cover those gaps and do it in a way that was right for me, not a 'one size fits all' plan. He studied my workouts and made changes or offered the right amount of advice at the right times. All in all, he deserves a lot of credit for the success I had this year and my decision to stop working with him was tough to say the least. My decision wasn't based on any negatives with Andy, but rather due to a commitment to my family. If you're looking for a great coach, look no further that AGCoaching

Fat Chance

In a recently published article regarding 'caloric sticker shock' NY'ers were shocked, horrified, and angered by the caloric levels of some of their favorite treats, snacks, and meals. Thinking the change to publish calorie levels may shift their choices towards healthier options appears to be a pipe dream. Take a look at some of these quotes from the article:

"Some people actually tell us we should take off the labels, because it discourages them from ordering what they want," he said.....says a spokesperson from Outback Steakhouse.

"I’m so upset," she said, noting some entrees — like the Jack Daniels ribs and shrimp dinner — contain almost 2,000 calories, and the desserts were more of the same (the brownie obsession is 1,500 calories). "I wish they wouldn’t have done this."....says a customer of TGI Fridays.

So, are people shocked to learn when calories in exceed calories out they get fat? or are they shocked to learn a muffin, cheeseburger & fries, several cokes throughout the day, a cookie snack, and a dinner out is more than a human being needs to consume in any given day? I guess I shouldn't be shocked, but perhaps it was just a fat chance to begin with.

European Tour de France coverage

In 3 of the last 4 years, I've been lucky enough to be in Europe during the Tour de France. In 2005 and 2007, we watched the race firsthand but in all cases we watched to tour on EuroSport TV. I've got to say the coverage is second to none. Unlike Versus' coverage, they actually show the race. How's that different you ask? In a stage that takes 5 hours, you'll most likely see a total of 30 minutes of commercials. On Versus, on a 5 hour stage you're likely to see the exact opposite. Last night, I literally felt like I was being brainwashed to buy a Saab. Ever wondered what happens when the riders need to answer the call to nature? Want to see what happens in the pack when there's no one to chase or the peloton is content letting riders with no chance of being GC contenders go off the front? You'll find out if you watch the EuroSport coverage.

I'm thankful for the sponsors paying the bills so Versus can bring us at least glimpses of the tour, but it sure would be nice to actually watch a race compared to watching commercials that permit viewers to see a bike from time to time. Tivo is a magical machine.

You're Better than That

During last night's coverage of Stage 10, Bobke muttered the words, "He's as cool as the other side of the pillow" to described a racer climbing the Col de Tourmalet. I shook my head in disbelief. Bobke, you're better than those pop-culture-appeasing talking heads on ESPN. Keep using your Bobcabulary to entertain us. Don't steal from the guys who live vicariously through the athletes they never were. You're better than that. You've climbed the mountains, suffered at the pack of the pack,
or shot the gutters in an attempt to gain position. In short, you talk and we listen.

Just be the Bobke we know and love.

Now That Was Pfun!

Last night was the kickoff for the Short Track Training Series hosted by our local food and hospitality guru, Ralph Pfremmer, and his VeloForce teammates. They had laid out a very nice combination of technical sections and uber-fast dirt flats. The result was one narrow, but ultra quick loop that took riders roughly 5 minutes to complete and a honking large BBQ and beer party following the races.

Registering for the race, I had all the plans to jump into the B race but since Ralph has been bugging me to go head to head with him in a race, I elected for the A race at the last minute. I actually paid and registered for both races with the idea that if I got shelled in the A race, I could drop out and then race the B race. As it turns out, no shelling occured. My goal was simply don't get lapped by the pro-level racers. (I held off Chris Ploch until the final creek crossing and then he got me.)

Several of us didn't really contest the start and let the really fast dudes take full advantage of the open field to narrow singletrack flow of the race. As a result, we found ourselves near the back of the pack very early in the race. However, we quickly formed our freight train and begin to hammer through quite nicely. I passed several riders over the next few laps and then settled into a good rhythm with teammate, Kent Jones, and DRJ rider, Mark Bauer (Lil' Buddy.) Those two were running 29er s/s with 44/20 and 44/21 gearing respectively. I was running the big ring on most of the course and then the middle ring for the creek crossing section. We yo-yo'd back and forth until Kent took a corner too hot and then it became a race with me and Mark.

At the end, Mark's teammate, Chris Ploch, popped out of the creek behind us and immediately passed us and Mark jumped onto his wheel and got a pretty good gap on me at the same time. I fought really hard to get back onto Mark's wheel and by the time we entered the grass field for the last time, I had bridged up to Mark (and felt like he didn't know it.) I thought this was my only chance, but it would require me to outsprint him in the field. As we cleared into the field, his cadence went into hyperdrive on that s/s just as my right leg cramped (again) blowing me up in the process. My gears offered no advantage and the race was done.

I was spent, but smiling like it was Christmas morning and I was 5 again. What a cool race format. Reminded me of cyclocross and mountain biking. No elitist attitudes, nothing but slaps on the back and smiles galore. (Okay, maybe my teammate Mark Hasler wasn't smiling when he double flatted leading the B race, but that's a different story.) I'm going to miss the next two weeks while the family and I are in Germany and Austria, but you'll know where to find me on Thursday evenings.

Thanks again to Mark & Cody and the gang at Ballwin Cycles. They got the Gunnar Rockhound dialed in and it rocked last night. That bike floated underneath me and was ripping fast.

Time to Get Dirty

If you're like me, watching that video gets your blood pumping for some racing in the dirt. Tonight is the first installment of Pfoodman's Velo Force dirt crits and I'm bringing back the Gunnar h/t. Mark and Cody at Ballwin Cycles helped yesterday with the finishing touches and she's smoking hot! Crossmax 29'er wheels, white cables, and carbon galore. I've never raced a dirt crit, but I settle that score tonight. No plans, no goals, just riding to have fun!

On another dirt related note, I opted for a Kona Explosif s/s frame. Thanks to one Matt Grothoff (Casey Ryback for the insiders) I was given a deal I couldn't refuse. I figured the sooner I took the deal, the sooner I'd be on the trail learning to snap some wrists with Team Seagal! Hopefully, this is the path to enlightment. If not, it's certainly the path to a "superior attitude and a superior state of mind."

Finally, on the subject of snapped wrists. "Heal well" wishes go out to Mike Gibson for his broken wrists (yes, as in both) and for a damaged hip. Mike suffered 3 breaks in one wrist and 8 breaks in the other. Tough stuff for sure, but if you know Gibson, I'm sure he'll be training while he's recovering. Mike come on out to the dirt crits, I'm sure you can yell from the sidelines and have a beverage or two to kill the pain.

Possible New Pony

Vassago Jabberwocky

Been having problems with the bolts on the Niner One9's BB and am looking for a possible s/s replacement. I discovered this frame by talking with a buddy from my company. He has one and says several of his buddies are riding them and loving the heck out of them. Price is good and seems worthy of checking out. I think I'll get one on order and have it built up when I return from Europe in mid-may.

If You Can't Laugh at Yourself....