Up to speed...

Since Carlos scolded me today for not posting enough, and he is the only one who reads the stupid thing, I was inspired. Greg has made comments also, he must be checking in some. What has happened since my last post? Lots of drizzle, some rain, some time on the trainer, and some on the road. Here are some highlights.
Two weeks ago Tyler and I went to the Slaughterama. It was billed to me as a place to go see alot of Tall Bikes. All we saw was underage drinking and drug use in a city park, lots of Tattoos, lots of trash on the ground, and a total of 2 cops. The police stayed well away so as not to be involved. Doesn't speak well for the city of Richmond. I hope this kind of thing stays in the liberal "big city".
Greg, Dave and I have been riding a 28 mile loop after work from my house. Carlos made it out one time to show off his new bike. Nice! Of course with Greg around a hammerfest usually ensues. I could draft that newly dropped down to 180 lb. ass all day! Oops, did I type that out loud?
Today, 8 of us departed Bikebeat, 9 a.m. 4 hours and 75 miles later, 4 returned. This was advertised as a "B" pace ride, 18-20 mph. The first 30 miles took us to the Pungo- Ferry Bridge. Greg and I did almost all of the pulling, at the correct pace. We sprinted a few times, then waited for the re-group. I got a wild hair and pulled a short section at 26mph. Then Greg pulled us to 29! That brought us in to the general store in Creeds. Time for a potty break and Slim Jims.
No one seemed to be hurting, so to fix that, we decided to add a 15 mile loop. The pace slowed dramatically. At some points we were dropping people at 15mph. After the loop, and crossing the bridge again, we still had 30 miles to go. How long does it take to do 30 miles at 12-15 mph? We would stay a group if needed, but Barry graciously told us to go our own pace, he would get the others back. 4 of us split and soon we were cruising! The average speed for the last 20 miles must have been 23-24mph! That was fun!
Now I feel better about the 100 mile TourDeCure next Saturday. Looking forward to it! This will be my second century, and I am determined to not let Greg drop me again! Click the link on the right, and donate some money!!

Now it stops!

My "Tall Bike" now has brakes and a kickstand! While the mechanical parts of the bike are done, the paint is still up in the air. Finally got to ride it some on Saturday. More on that in my next post.

Lots of riding... no posting

Has it been two weeks since I posted? A clear sign that the weather has been better, and the time changed. Between yard work and riding several times a week, its hard to find time to post. I'll try to do better.
We don't have hills around here, but we shure have wind! Those 40 mph gust kept me from riding a few days. Some rides were in 10-20mph "breezes". Good training so they say. How does the wind seam to always be in your face?
The Thursday night ride is still going strong at All About Bikes. Done on mountain or cyclocross bikes, this ride is mostly road, but has some off road. Mike Baker is always there, ready to go. Most of the other weekday rides start too early for me, I do have to work!
Yesterday was a 33 mile loop over the Pungo Ferry Bridge into the wind. This was a solo ride from my house. Todays ride left from Bikebeat and went to the bridge also. Even with 6 riders, the wind was stiff. Some tailwind was enjoyed the first half, but the second half of this 48 mile ride was all headwind. The good news is I was comfortable for almost 3 hours on the bike. Looking froward to more riding, and more posting... I promise.

A Snowballs chance in...

The Snowball Crit #2 was today at the Va.Bch. Sports complex. It was colder and the wind was stronger than #1, 2 weeks ago. Not as big a group this time, some people opting to do the Camp Hilbert mountainbike race near Richmond. With gas prices so high, the choice was easy. The Snowball is about 10 miles from Hickory, Camp Hilbert in Goochland is at least 100. That makes the butt-kicking I got today 1/10 the price! I figure I came out ahead.
Could you call getting lapped 2 times instead of 3 a improvement? Everyone knows I am the eternal optimist, except my wife, the people at work, and all my friends, so I'm saying the glass is half full of sports drink. Apparently every race is different. This time the pack took off like hades escaping bats at the word go. Everyone was so strung out it was hard to draft and stay on. If the guy in front of you lets a gap develop, you have to be aggressive and get around him now. Easier said than done.
Its early in the season. Riding after work will now become a possibility. I saw a improvement. Things will get better. Spring is coming. Flowers will bloom again. See... optimism.

Dog gone.

Always carry a camera with you! Sheri snapped this one out the window while I was driving.

I'm easy like Sunday morning

Greg was nice enough to invite me to ride with him and a friend today. Planning to do the typical Saturday shop ride, I pull into the Bikebeat parking lot just before 10:00. Dave is already there, so I introduce myself. Soon Greg arrives and we are underway. The weather conditions seem identical to the day before, high 40's, sunny, winds 10-15 mph. The first half of the ride we had a tailwind, making us feel like supermen. Pulling 23-24mph felt very comfortable at some points. Feeling froggy on one of these pulls, I sprinted to a stop sign. At 30 mph Greg came around me. Seeing my defeat, we coasted to the intersection. This attack was a surprise, but not to far ahead is a bridge that usually brings out the best in everyone. Greg warned Dave he was going to pick up the pace, and soon we were traveling at 28mph. Thank goodness for the draft! Letting Greg blow himself up, I stayed tucked in until the bridge. Could he be passed? Not today.
Around the halfway point of the trip, we swing around and start heading into the wind. Superman was deflated. Greg pulled almost all the way back, which makes up for getting lost. Trying to head for the "Red Barn" in Pungo, we take a turn onto Muddy Creek, which we usually ride past. Missing another tun along the way, we end up back on Princess Anne. This adds 4 miles to our ride. Bonking at almost the same spot as the day before, I start struggling to keep up. Greg slows it down, and we make it back.
40 miles yesterday, 45 miles today, with wind both days? Yeah I'm happy with that. Still looking forward to some improvements in speed, power, and endurance. It will come with more riding, especially with Greg , the "Taskmaster". After a salad bar, Chicken and Pasta, I was ready for a shower! The Snowball Crit #2 is next Sunday. Will I be ready?

Sat. shop ride

So... how's that training going? Last weekends Crit. lit a fire, but the cold weather put it out. Now its smoldering with a 90% chance of flareup, but only a 35% chance of that. No better way to stoke the flames than to go to the shop ride and get my butt kicked. Usually Carlos will set me up with "I haven't been riding much lately", then proceed with the butt kicking. This time might be different, Carlos really hasn't been riding, Rick is getting over the Flu, and Greg is a nice guy right? (Even tho he dropped me on the Knotts Island Century) Who else might show?
James, Rick, and I start the ride at 7:30. 47 deg., sunny, with some wind. We pick up Greg and Carlos on the road shortly after. Its always nice to get a headwind on the way out, and a tailwind back in, but this would not be the case today. Was the wind picking up? or was I getting weaker? All day we seemed to either be in a headwind or some strong, draft breaking, side wind. There is no way to hide! Carlos dropped off a time or 2, and I was glad to wait up as I was barely hanging on. Hiding in the back helped some, until about 35 miles into the ride. Carlos had already dropped off for good and headed home, and Greg peeled off too. No legs to be found for the last 5 or so miles here! We pulled back into the shop and recovered. Better head home and get some work done so I can come back out tomorrow.