Nice Road Ride and being in great shape

Just finished up a nice 38 mile road from Bel Air to Conowingo. This is where you can tell that base miles are working. At this time last year, especially with 3500ft of climbing, my HR would surely have dipped into the 190's. It maxed out at 178. That is really low considering the climbing. This is what excites me...well other things too. After 750 base miles since 1/1, I can now get some other work in. Also got a chance to try out the new Fisher AR Super. Expecting another new ride in march...Superfly Elite HT. It is older, but a great ride. More later.

Do these really work?

I did some simulated standing hill repeats last night on the trainer. 2 x 6. 1 minute on in 53x11 with trainer setting on high with 1 minute rest between reps and 5 minutes between sets. I have to admit that I am a gotta have it right now kinda guy, so waiting for a certain level of fitness to arrive is tough on da brain. I want to start mixing it up with my routines, but doing some experimenting right now. When you are on the bike outside, it feels as if you are really workin it, on the trainer-it just has a different feel. Eh, maybe just me.

Ready for Intervals

Ok, I think 750 miles since january is enough to constitute interval time. I have to admit, I am getting jittery for some real workouts. I am also getting a Superfly Elite HT frame for this year, thanks to my Trek 29er Crew sponsorship. I figured I will try some geared races this year. I know, it is not very characteristic of me, but it is a great deal and gets the new Trek/Fisher stuff out there.

Just Gettin' Easy Miles

Decided to take it easy and ride the SS on the road for a bit. Just 10 miles, but it was a nice break from training and 25+ miles. If you dont want to get your heart rate up on the road, this is the way to go. Avg speed was 13.4 mph and HR was 132.

Nice Long Road Ride

I finally got off the trainer and on some pavement. Nothing spectacular, but a 50 miler from Middle River to Fallston and back. Kept my HR below 180 and there are some pretty steep ones along the way.

 Now, I don't know if have ever ridden the "bike lane" along Pulaski Highway. I assume that a  non-cyclist politician was to blame for this. You could start your own Sanford and Son business with what you find and sometimes run over on the shoulder. I envy cyclists from Virginia. Somebody has it right down there. They dont convert roads to paths-they create paths for people to ride; amazing concept. If anyone who is involved with the highway administration reads this-get on the ball. Anytime you have to venture out into 55+ mph traffic to get past a bridge or avoid cars on your bike, translates into a potential hazard. Over and Out!

Why I am a Moron

Just look at this screenshot. 30.54 miles on the indoor trainer. So you ask why? Why arent you on the road bike getting your miles in? Well, it's simple. There is no possible way that I can be blown off my bike from 30 mph gusts in my garage. Lets face it, it sucks, but I can slap my favorite helmet cam footage from races and have at it. It really isnt too bad, once you are used to it. On second thought, according to my blog title-I am a moron, so take nothing that I say seriously.

The key to being a true trainer master is time. Don't look at a watch, dont listen to music-No music! Why you say, I am glad you asked. It is simple; I know that Turning Japanese-by the Vapors is 3:24 in length. I also know that I'm too Sexy, by Right Said Fred is 2:54 in duration-are you catching on? Time, man all about time. By the way, bite me if you don't like my musical tastes. There is nothing cooler than a bodybuilder prancing around in leather saying; in an English ascent- I'm too sexy for my hat. I still wear hats, but my hat is too sexy for me.

I look at this way; the trainer is a true test of one's mental state. Not only are you testing your body physically, but psychologically as well; just like a race. Your mind has to stay focused on the task at hand. If you can get through an hour+ on the trainer, you can tackle anything that a race course can throw at you.

Making Descisions

2010 AFC Sugar Hill SS Open and a cool 7th

Well, I have been thinking on this for some time now. Moving to the Expert/Open SS class...well-FOREVER! MMM HA HA HA HA-Sorry, that is my Dr. Evil laugh. I won a few races last year and had enough top 5's to make me an official sandbagger this year. I dabbled in expert class last year and had descent success, including a 7th. So now that I have nailed my routine down-I think, it is time to bring it! I know a few other "mature" monocoggers that are in their 40's as well that race in the expert class. I do have to admit that I will miss giving it to the geared guys, though. Especially the younger one's! I will still do the 9 and 12 hour stuff against those guys I guess.

I will be 44 this year so it won't be easy, but I am feeling really fresh right now;probably the best I have ever felt. I am down to 178lbs. 475 base miles since January 1. I wont start any interval stuff until the end of february. I made the mistake of starting them too early last year and my mid season wasn't as crisp as the early and later parts of the season. I did rebound to finish 4th overall in the Cranky Monkey Series, though.

AFC Sugar Hill is coming up in March, and this is one of my favorites. Usually brings out the tougher SSers. I have Bernie to deal with and he is 50, but quick and steady. I am hoping to have the new Trek 29er Kit by then to show off the new and lighter bod! Anyway, I have a date with a stationary bike. Till next time-keep rockin' the big hoops! Oh, I found this nice pic from the cyclocross archives! That's right you weaklings this is about riding, not running!! Have fun.

You Don't get Flats on Trainers!

How on earth do you have 15 feet of pavement on either side of you and still manage to get a 1/2 screw in your tire? That is what cut my ride short on sunday. Luckily, I was a mile from my sisters and was able to get a ride home. This, folks is why I love the trainer. Yeah, for some it can become a race as to who can stay conscious the longest, but for me-I love it. Controlled, steady and it really does train your mental state-as if I needed to remind you. So today it is back for another 25 miler on my stationary friend. AFC Sugar Hill at Patapsco is a month away and they added 2 miles and more climbing. Still debating as to run my usual 32/18 or maybe 32/19 on the singlespeed. I will be running the steel ferrous-huh that's an oxymoron in leu of my beloved superflySS.

Good Ole' Days and 24hrs of Canaan

1997 was a turning point for me. I had been riding for about 6 years at this point, but only for fun and had only raced a couple of local races up until then. I didnt train; I just rode. I played tournament softball most of the time, so riding was just something I enjoyed doing apart from that.

A couple of guys that I rode with wanted to do race together, so I agreed. It was just a passing thought. When they said race together, I thought it meant we would race the same race, in the same class. Ha! They really meant a 24 hour race on a team. Now me being 28 at the time, figured sure, why not. I mean how hard could it really be? I am in great shape, I ride...enough. So bring it on! Oh yeah, I aslo was on my beloved Trek 9800 OCLV, too.

If you never had the chance to ride Canaan, all I can say is-to bad. What a beautiful venue for a race. When we got there, I was blown away by the people. It seemed like thousands, probably more like 500 or so, but it was huge! There was music, vendors, food, trials-yeah, remember that? Just massive.

Our team was the Mudslingers and we had a pretty fast group of guys actually. What was funny is that I was the youngest. We stayed at a really nice chateau on the south side of the mountain, so it was a bit of a hike to the start. I don't remember much of
what the others were doing, but I do remember my first lap and the climb in which my rear derailleur pulleys decided they didnt want to be a part of the derailleur any longer. Quick fix and I was on my way. Pretty uneventful until I got to the other side with the VW Bug size rocks. There was 3 or 5 guys behind me, so I was a go at this point. I dont know how fast I was supposed to go, but I guess I did ok. I got the big thumbs up from one as he flew by me. My favorite thing was crossing that bridge at the end. What a relief! I do remember I turned in a pretty quick time, though.

My night lap was amazing. I got up at 1:30 and was off. Riding by the campfires while people cheered was something I hadnt been a part of before and it sure made it that much more enjoyable. The night was a clear as it could be. I came out of the clearing onto the plateau and I had to stop for what seemed like forever, just to take in the view. The moon was full and bright and cast a ghostly white glow on everything around me. Wow! I was hooked. This 24 hour thing is tough, but man you cant beat this.

Anyway, I was my first encounter with team HUGH J ASS, too. Long story short-Very, very fast and all using the same bike shorts for the whole race; all 4 guys! eeeww.
We ended up 50th out of 357 teams, not to shabby. I have raced many 24 hour events since Canaan, but they never lived up to that year.  Something got lost along the way with the 24 hour gigs, and its a shame; It may never get back to that same euphoric atmosphere, but I am glad I was a part of it.

January's Training...a good month to start

Here are the numbers for january. 18 of the 20 activities have been on the trainer. Does that make me a certified moron? I think so. 80% zone 2 work with some long mtb rides thrown in for good measure. Anyway, february should be a 450+ month. Last year, I think I had a total of 75 miles, and most of that was intervals. Yeah, needless to say I peaked just a tad to early. Hey, I'm old give me a break.

Come on, Start a Revolution or at Least Join in

When are you gonna take the blinders off, man? Ok, I realize that there are financial considerations at play here. Some of you are set in your ways, still riding your Manitou F/S from '95 and thinking your still in with the times. For the rest of you, though-there is no excuse. Stop whining about the fact you are "afraid" to try because you might like it. What the @#$!! is that? That's like someone offering you a million clams in all $10's and you turning it down cause you'd rather have all $5's, or something like that.

Get to your Trek/Fisher dealer and throw a leg over one. Seriously, you won't touch your 26"er again. It really does make that much of a difference. Especially if you are coming from the old school era where the MTB's used the same geometry as road bikes with 150mm stems and no room for adjustability. Don't let anyone tell you that they are for racing only. Even if you are just using it to ride casually and dont want a hybrid-and who could blame you. It may be the one thing that makes you get off your lazy keester and mount up and head outdoors. Enjoy!

Trainer Sessions are Harder than Intervals

Yeah, that's right I said it. Heck, intervals are easy compared to the long...drawn...out...trainer...sessions...at...143...to...155...bpm. Intervals keep you awake, fresh, breathing. Zone 2 sessions creep along like a slowwwww freight train. I did manage to get to 28 miles tonight. Building a base is a much needed evil, though.

Shin Splints Suck!

Well, since the trainer has become a staple for my training this year, I decided to take a break and do a short run. Just 4 miles on monday night. Tuesday, I did 27.5 miles on the trainer and today...ooooowwww! My lower legs are aching big time. Worth it? sure. It is good to take a break every once in a while.