Here we go again!

It's Just Training

Small group on the Thursday ride.

Maybe the wind kept people away.

It really wasn't that bad though. Even with six of us plus the half dozen that joined along the way we motored along. We dropped most everyone by the end...oops. Didn't mean to, I just had to get some Super LT and VO2 intervals in and others followed/challenged.

Actually hit 179 in the sprint to the Fire Station. I am using the term "sprint" very liberally. I wouldn't have even gotten that except this BIOC (is that pronounced biatch?) rider sat on my wheel most of the way up and over guardrail hill and to the fire station....had to go for the sprint points? It is only training...

ah, but it was sprint training....

Now, I know for some 179 is not impressive, but that is only one beat lower than I have ever recorded on the bike.

See, I am more a diesel truck than a sports car.

So, I motored, we went fast, it was fun...lots more fun than the lifecycle in the gym yesterday.


Four of us finished together and nobody tried to sprint...

Headwind,
Uphill,
Tired,
Good!

Flying is fun!

Afterburner = cool

Got airborn this morning. Nothing crazy. Just flew to another base, did a couple practice approaches, flew home. But, now I remember why I keep going to the ATL.

Get On With It

Sorry,

sorry,

sorry.





XBunny put me in a Grail mood...and you can see / hear what happened.

Now I have a whole new aspect of fun to add to the blog!





Aren't you excited?

You thought I was kidding?

Another rainy day...it is unfortunate that I am so lazy. It was just cloudy when I got to work. So, I could have, should have, gone for a ride first thing. Of course, then what would my excuse have been for not flying?

Oh, I can't fly in clouds...that's right. It has been so long since I last flew that my first flights cannot be into instrument conditions.

Probably a good rule!

So, let me see...what can I do...hmmmmmmmm.

Hey, isn't there a bike race thingy on TV. Nope, but there is on OLNTV.com.

All that I need is internet access, a big TV, a cushy sofa, and a good cup of coffee.

Got it all right here.

But, wait, it's a transfer day. They are done racing in Belgium and they are on their way to Italia. That sucks! But, I haven't seen Stage 1 or Stage 3 or Stage 4.....better make some more coffee.

Look, it is even raining on TV!

Those guys look NOT happy.

But, it's PPV.

Maybe Stage 4 will be sunny. I'll save that for the hotel room later.

Or I could watch CSI: Topeka?

Inspired, off to the gym for 45 minutes on the spin bike.

Ciao'

4 Crit Weekend

Golden State Criterium
...the life of leisure
Sleep in,
Tucker to the park,
big breakfast,
late sign-in,
weather was great,
respectable fields.

What more could you ask for?

How about a podium appearance?

On this day the Bag Boys would stand on every step of the podium (not all in the same race mind you, but close). The day started with a tough P/1/2 race. I wish I could tell you all about it but I was warming up for the kids race that would take place immediately afterward. The MIB rode hard and got oV in a break with some rough company. He tried to work them over but they were having none of it. He held on for a top ten and the Delivery Man tried to sneak in as well but got nipped for eleventh.

Next up, Lothar. Sat in for most of the race. Enjoyed the ride. Ducked and skirted some impending disasters. Bitch slapped a couple youngin's for thinking they could push grandpa around (besides I outwiegh most of them by at least 2 or 3 stones!). These kids ride all dick, balls, and no forehead. When will they learn. Anyway, moved up in the last couple laps with the group chasing a well timed lead-out move that didn't quite make it. Was just a little too far back and grabbed third.

Sponsoring today's Masters Race is the letter T. T is the first letter in Team and Teamwork. If you have a team and they use teamwork, they can make the field tired (tired also starts with t), then when Ron goes off the front for the last five laps they can help him stay there using tactics. At the end of the race the Delivery Man can ride very fast and get second, second does not start with T.


EMC2/Vellum
0800 is way to early for a race...at least it was only 30 minutes away.

Cat 3 race not so good on this day. Sat in but just didn't have the pop at the end and the riders were even less concious of the impending pain from hitting the ground than the day before. I knew I had to be top 3-5 on the last corner...just didn't get there. I let myself get boxed in and didn't fight hard enough to get out. Turned the corner about 12-15 back...finished 10th.

35+1/2/3: 9 MIB spread out amongst the peloton is n awesome sight. Again worked the field a little to ripen it for a break with attacks and reattacks. A small break went, I think Robert was in the initial jump, Michael bridged up, and then Jeff. Ohhhhhh billy, a twelve man break with 3 MIB and 6 more in the field behind. Then Michael attacked the break with Brian Bosch and got away. Very nice.... What could be better? How about Chris Wire attempting a bridge with 5 or 6 to go and Kyle grabbing his wheel. And then Coates trying to attach the whole group to them and dragging Ron for a lap, only to get dropped, allowing Ron to join Kyle and Chris and succeed in the bridge. Now there was Michael off the front, and Robert, Jeff, Ron and Kyle in the chase, and Roger, Dean, Patrick and Ma in the field. Bosch, much to his credit, was able to hang on to a last ditch acceleration by Michael and outsprint him for the win. Jeff held off everyone but Larry Nolan for a solid 4th. Robert and Kyle grabbed 10th and 11th. Not bad T.

P/1/2: Another tough race. Most of the players used the masters race as a warm-up. (it is after midnight so this will be concise) Michael got away with...get this...Briggs, Fuentes, LaBerge, and Bosch. Oh shit...it looked like a who's who of Northern Cal Sprinter Association. He tried to take advantage of some accelerations but they knew his strengths and theirs, and the sprinter had numbers. The field just couldn't pull them back. Michael took 5th and Roger grabbed 9th with a great effort in the field sprint.

I'll say it again and again....I'm glad these guys are on my team. Nice work everyone!

Look out Los Gatos here we come...

Bummer...or not?

Oh man...you gotta be kidding me. I fly all the way to the ATL to rocket around like Chuck Yeager and it is going to thunder and lightning.

I wish I could just go for a ride then but you gotta be crazy to go out in that. I mean a gentle Cali rain is one thing but electricity screaming out of the sky just searching for a hunk of metal to attach itself to, and me on a steel bike. Uh..uh...not gonna do it...wouldn't be prudent.

At least I have internet at the office, limited as it might be. I wonder if I can figure out a way to hook the computer to the flat panel....hmmm.

The Monday-Saturday stages can be accessed without commercial interruption here on OLNTV.com for only $19.99.

Now all I need to do is break out my government charge card and I can watch the Giro on a government flat panel, accessed via a government computer, on government time, paid for by the government....heeeheeeheee. Naw, I wouldn't do that.

Now We're Having Fun!

This HTML stuff ain't so bad.

I got the misplaced "link" figured out.

Put some images in the header.

Loaded all the sponsor images and made them link to their websites.

Added a title.

Created a footer.

And I'm just getting started...

but it's time for a bowl of cereal (out of ice cream).

Lost in the Blog

After playing with the code for the Safeway blog yesterday I realized I missed my calling.

How sad...I am such a geek at heart. I actually enjoyed reading through lines of code to try to figure out why it wasn't displaying correctly.

   /** We enable spellcheck only for users
     who speak english beause
 *  the spellchecker only works for ASCII. */
var userCanSpellcheck = true

Looks like they need a little "spell check" of their own...or maybe this is a geek joke?

Sadly, I will note, that I still have not figured it out. But, I will!

This is not unlike the evening I spent deciphering my year end brokerage report and trying to calculate mark-to-market values and determine profit/loss to verify my 1099. Yeah, the 1099 was right, but I can prove it with my own spreadsheet!

I am a numbers geek...you've seen my watch?

What the hell is with that? Who needs a slide rule on their wrist?

ME!


My sweety is out of town this weekend becoming one with her business partners....ooohhhhmmmm, ooooohhhhhhmmmmm......kumbaya.

The Cure

I needed to go for a ride.

I mean Monday is easy recovery and Tuesday is day off. But there was no riding yesterday and, like I said, I needed to go for a ride. You understand.

An hour to Palo Alto, jump on the Nooner, an hour home. That should do it.

Great weather so lots of riders today. I felt good...after my warm-up, it was a little hard getting the legs going.

We did the double Alpine today which meant some good climbing. I hung in on the hills and had good legs in the sprints. Even on Arestradero at the end, I went waaaaaay early, Bruce sucked my wheel, I kept it going, I felt him move out of my draft to come around so I stepped it up a little, he ducked back in for another 50m, I let up, it was enough. Even Pascuzzi saw him do that but couldn't figure out why until we chatted later.

And that is where today's story gets good. We get to Page Mill, near the end of the ride, and Robert asks if I want to go up. I don't have any food, almost out of water, not planning that long a ride...OK. It is too nice a day and I need the release, riding is good. We climbed at a leisurely pace, went North to 92, and back home.

Photo from Palo Alto Online


There is very little that a 90 mile bike ride on this beautiful peninsula cannot make better or at least help you forget.

I am thankful for the ability to ride, fantastic roads and weather, and friends with which to share it all.

Out Bid

We didn't get the house...

House Hunting

We found a house we like yesterday after looking for quite some time!


We put an offer in on it today...at the ask price. And, they asked for rent back for one month and we offered it for free.







Can you believe they countered with a $70k increase over original ask and had the balls to still request the free month we offered as good will? I was sooooo pissed. But, we like the house so we offered a little more (there was another offer that they also countered). We will know by 10am tomorrow if they accepted.

Time to Think

You know what the worst part about driving home from Central Valley races is?

TOO much time to think. In the almost three hours it took me to drive home I figured out about a dozen different ways I should have won the race today.

Background: This weekend was the Madera Stage Race. This is my kind of race. A criterium...good...a short, flat time trial...good...a flat road race....good. The first race at 2pm on Saturday the last done by 11 am on Sunday. So, how come it didn't work out that well.

I could make all kind of excuses. Morgan had half the field, we only had two riders, it was the first time on my TT bike in two years, it was windy, it was hot, it was bumpy...blah, blah, blah.

But, really it was mental mistakes again. In the crit I was feeling great and well positioned. I just got myself too far forward and in a position from which I couldn't see the finish developing. I got stuck between two groups with momentum and behind I guy who sat up when he realized his teammate wasn't in position. I got ninth. Jeff was in the group with momentum on my right and got sixth.

The TT should have been better for me. My fitness is good, the course is flat, it was windy, I had good coaching (thanks oV), my bike is as good as any, though one of these BMCs would be nice. I got off to a good start. Heartrate up to the mark in 2 min. I stayed at LT for the downwind legs, 90 rpm, trying to keep pace on my 30 sec rider. I turned the second corner into the wind and cranked it up just a little. I caught a rider but not sure if he was the 30 or 60 second rider. I crossed the line just under max HR still cranking out a good pace in just over 24 minutes. I got 12th. Jeff didn't feel as good out there and finished out of the points as well.

This looks aero...

Maybe we can get Poulsen Cycles to make
some of these for Team Safeway?

So, we went into the road race so far down the rankings that a win could only get us on the podium if nobody else raced. Stranger things have happened. We promenaded out at 22mph up hill...what's with that? First lap a couple attacks but the leaders were all marking each other.

Finally, on the second lap a Morgan rider got away solo. Then they let John Ford (Spine) go. What the hell, I thought I would give it a try. I rolled off the front slowly. They let me go a little then chased. When they caught me they slowed, so I tried again. This time they didn't chase, or at least not hard.

I caught John, pause, pass.

Morgan was about 50m up the road. Bridged to him. Pause, pass. Solo for a while, not really going too hard, not really sure if Morgan sat with me or not. I thought I dropped him but all of the sudden Shawn Oliver was on my wheel. I sat up to see if he would pull through and he did. We motored at a reasonable pace through the rough section, then the hills, feed zone, and we were still off the front about 400-500m.

I asked Shawn if they would let us go and if he thought we could stay away. He said yes if I didn't attack him. Knowing I was better off with him than without, we settled in and worked together, though I was a little more motivated to stay off the front so did the majority (at least in my head).

On the third lap we got neutralized, passed by the P/1/2 field, passed them back, through the pave, the rollers, the finish and they rang the bell (I thought we had 2 more laps...yippee). Same had apparently happened in the rest of the field but it caused a split. The split was supposed to be closed by the officials but wasn't and all three of the GC leaders were caught in the back group with no hopes of catching so quit the race after 3 laps. Eventually, Brian went back out and finished...is that allowed?

Last lap I was determined to stay away. We stayed in front of the pros, the motor official came up on the pave and said there was a chase of 2, 53 seconds back, then a chase of 5-6. Too close and too much work done to not give it all. I put my head down and Shawn hung tight. He edged me at the line and I got second. Damn, always a brides maid. Then, much to my surprise...the next guy across the line was my teammate being chased by Takumi. Shithot!

We ended up 4th and 7th overall, then 2nd and 5th (when they realized Brian and Peter hadn't finished), then 3rd and 6th (when Brian did go finish?)...who the hell knows or cares. What a crazy race.

Sunshine, On my shoulders

Makes me happy!

Riding = Happy

Got to go for a two hour warm-up ride in the sun and mid-seventies, then I joined the nooner for a lil' ride and a climb up OLH. Then an hour back home. Life is good. Oh, then a friend came down with his bike and wanted to go for a short ride so I took Blue out for an easy one. I would guess about 100 miles today...hee hee hee.

I like riding my bike!

New Moo

These photos not by Glenn, but I don't know who took them because they are from the TdF and I just uploaded them because my wife likes cows also and I thought she would think they were funny and I hope the photographer doesn't get mad at me too.

Moo

Why are cows so funny?

These photos by Glenn James. He is funny too!

Wrenching Free

Man, there is nothing that makes me happier than hangin' out at the bike shop chatting with friends and wrenching on my own bike.

But, first, have you ever had one of those days? I pulled Blue off the wall yesterday morning to get her ready for the TT at Madera on Saturday. I know, I know, I should have been riding her at least once a week for the last couple months. Lots of excuses but I'll spare you. No I won't...you just won't read it if you don't care.

So, I tried to ride her last week, but one of my tubulars wouldn't hold air (yes the same one that flatted on the way to the Sea Bisquit Circuit Race, causing Reed and I to have to ride back to the hotel so I could switch wheels, then we had to hammer to the race to make the start) and it was the only wheel with a 9 speed cassette on it and I didn't have an 8mm wrench to change pedals and I didn't have any shoes with Speedplay cleats...see what I mean, so I took the Green Hornet out and we had fun. Besides, the Hornet hadn't been ridden much since Mt. Fuji came along.

Yesterday I vowed to try again. My recovery day. A perfect time to get reaquainted with the TT position. I still hadn't changed the tubular, but I have four sets of wheels. I put a 9 spd on the old Open Pro trainers. Went to put some air in the tires and my pump wouldn't seal. I couldn't inflate my tires. Now, how sad is that? I've been meaning to get a replacement o-ring for a while, just haven't figured out where to get it from. OK, OK, OK, I can put the 9 spd on the wheels I rode yesterday at Wente...they still have air. Nice try. The cassette body is aluminum and is so chewed up from the Ti cassette that was on it, I cannot get the new one on. And, I don't have a file to fix it like I did last time this happened. Now what? I already wasted an hour. The Green Hornet, old faithful, off we go..after we put a 10 spd cassette back on the only set of wheels that have air.

Anyway, today I vowed to fix all those "issues". And, it was a good excuse for taking this week off work. My wife didn't even complain much...and I didn't complain about sleeping on the sofa. So, I got a new tubular glued on, pedals installed, tuned her up, computer works, cassette on wheels for race. Now I just need to go for a ride. It's on the calendar for Thursday. Thankfully it is a short, flat, TT...I think?

Recommendation

Talk to the Hand

See OV's Blog for background.

Wente Crits

ELITE 3...that's right, we're ELITE. I've been accused of being an Elitist...is that the same?

94 on the line and only one MIB...me. Squadra, Pegasus, Form all had a good showing. Now, can I just pick the right one to hook up with at the end. I thought Form would be the ones. Typical 3s crit. No breaks allowed. Several crashes. Lots of bumbing in the first couple laps. If you really want that wheel, that bad, you can have it. I'll just come around you later! So we went around for 48 minutes. Bell lap, 3 Pegasus guys on the front, I'm fourth. Feeling good. They only make it about half way and now I'm 2nd wheel...not were I want to be coming into the head wind finish. Turn the corner and the last Pegasus guy is out of gas but it is too far for me to go it alone. I hear carnage behind me (it was Form and he got hurt bad). A train coming up the left side. Jump, accelerate, try to get in. A long way to go still. Lots of guys not going to make it. Closing but not fast enough, too far back, all the way to the line...10th. Well, it's a crap shoot. Too far forward, too early. Editors note: Lothar was later awarded 9th when Eric Nitschke was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct.

What give's? It's supposed to be fun...right? Don't take yourself so seriously!


35+1/2/3
A much smoother and faster race but still the typical bump and grind...I expect that. Some guys just take this hobby way too seriously. I do it for fun...and road rash ain't fun! I think we had 8 MIB in the race and the rest of the usual suspects. I'll defer to OV for the real report because I have hard time with storing data while operating machinery at 30mph, 110rpm, and 160 on the hrm (I love acronyms). I'll just say that the MIB rode a great race. We got a guy off the front in a break. Had 6 guys in the top 15 with 3 laps to go. Sprinters were on the front...all three of them. Guys with legs ready to go. We just had some execution errors but we can fix that. Besides, 4th and 5th ain't bad...nice job to Andy and M2!


P/1/2
Man do I need to get some points. What a great race. Again, I'll defer to OV but I'll just say the Delivery Man may be back. He and DanO were in a break with Woolie and it looked good. Two MIB out there for a long time. They got caught, another break got off, it was a tough field, RHV and Lombardi put in some hard work at the end, brought it all back together and Roget' sprinted for a 6th place finish. And, two of the guys in front of him were David McCook and Dean LaBerge. From the sidelines the team looked really strong and rode a great race. Woolberg put a serious hurting on the entire field.







Photos by Glenn James and Kevin King. You can tell which one is Glenn's because he put his name on it...Kevin took the otther two. Thanks guys!