Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Opus V
Where to start...
I was shocked to be racing to say the least.
It sure was nice to be back to racing after a month and a half off :(
I was too excited to really care how I ended on the night. I was talking to Tim Girod (cat 4 points leader) about my strategy for the night, I was thinking about going for the first sprint so I could have enough time to go for the last. Tim had a better idea of going for the 2nd since most would hit the 1st with their fresh legs. So I agreed and changed my plans. Well, I thought I had...
We roll up to the start and I find myself on the front line. What am I thinking here? I joked around that this would be the only time I would lead the race. Ha ha. Gun goes off and Tim and I lead everyone out around the course. Pace is quite leisurely. Third lap. I find myself in pretty good position and decide to go for the sprint. So I whined up with everyone and manage 5th. I kinda held back a little bit being concerned that I'd blow up. Looking back now I should have buried the needle. Oh well.
So now I'm thinking it won't be long till I shoot out the back and get lapped. My legs were feeling pretty tight and heavy at this point. I just kept telling myself to stay with the pack, do what ever it takes. Surprisingly my legs started to come back around. Around enough I guess.
I was able to hang with the group quite easily and even take the lead a couple times. I even lead out one of my Silver Cycling teammates Ben Schinke.
Just before the final lap I decided to make a break and take a flyer. So up and over the start/finish I went with no one on my wheel. Dropped down the hill through the S's and just before the back straight saw that Jason Wenk(All 9 Yards) was right there. I knew at that point that I didn't have it in my legs to contest.
In the end I was super stoked!
Here's why:
I was shocked to be racing to say the least.
It sure was nice to be back to racing after a month and a half off :(
I was too excited to really care how I ended on the night. I was talking to Tim Girod (cat 4 points leader) about my strategy for the night, I was thinking about going for the first sprint so I could have enough time to go for the last. Tim had a better idea of going for the 2nd since most would hit the 1st with their fresh legs. So I agreed and changed my plans. Well, I thought I had...
We roll up to the start and I find myself on the front line. What am I thinking here? I joked around that this would be the only time I would lead the race. Ha ha. Gun goes off and Tim and I lead everyone out around the course. Pace is quite leisurely. Third lap. I find myself in pretty good position and decide to go for the sprint. So I whined up with everyone and manage 5th. I kinda held back a little bit being concerned that I'd blow up. Looking back now I should have buried the needle. Oh well.
So now I'm thinking it won't be long till I shoot out the back and get lapped. My legs were feeling pretty tight and heavy at this point. I just kept telling myself to stay with the pack, do what ever it takes. Surprisingly my legs started to come back around. Around enough I guess.
I was able to hang with the group quite easily and even take the lead a couple times. I even lead out one of my Silver Cycling teammates Ben Schinke.
Just before the final lap I decided to make a break and take a flyer. So up and over the start/finish I went with no one on my wheel. Dropped down the hill through the S's and just before the back straight saw that Jason Wenk(All 9 Yards) was right there. I knew at that point that I didn't have it in my legs to contest.
In the end I was super stoked!
Here's why:
- First time racing cat 4 at Opus
- Usually get lapped my first time at Opus every year
- And the kicker--I haven't trained that much lately
So the bug is back and I can't wait till next Tuesday!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Up 'n Up
Well, we finally got a new car so there goes that excuse. And Opus might be a go. I've got lots of ground to make up.
Didn't I say that last year?
This is getting old.
I need to get back to race in a bad way...
Didn't I say that last year?
This is getting old.
I need to get back to race in a bad way...
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Embro Junkie
I'm baaaack!
My latest trial is the POWERbreathe distributed by Gaiam.
Here's some quick stats:
Studies have shown that time trial performance improves in elite rowers (Voliantis et al., 2001a) and cyclists (Romer et al., 2001a) by as much as 4.6%! That slashes almost 3 minutes off a 40km cycling time trial, and gives a winning margin of more than 60m in a 2000m rowing race!
Now I'm not sure how well this little jem will work. But since I've been using it twice daily I find that when I finally get a chance to ride, I don't feel as lousy as I should. Guess I'll just have to see if it really works and report back later.
I do get some funny looks when I use it on my commute to and from work though.
My latest trial is the POWERbreathe distributed by Gaiam.
Here's some quick stats:
Studies have shown that time trial performance improves in elite rowers (Voliantis et al., 2001a) and cyclists (Romer et al., 2001a) by as much as 4.6%! That slashes almost 3 minutes off a 40km cycling time trial, and gives a winning margin of more than 60m in a 2000m rowing race!
Now I'm not sure how well this little jem will work. But since I've been using it twice daily I find that when I finally get a chance to ride, I don't feel as lousy as I should. Guess I'll just have to see if it really works and report back later.
I do get some funny looks when I use it on my commute to and from work though.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Basso out, Nod goes to Levi
I feel bad about Basso, I think he is a great rider, but my boy Levi is back where he belongs. Back in the team leader position.
www.velonews.com
www.eurosport.com
Now meez likes Disco again!
www.velonews.com
www.eurosport.com
Now meez likes Disco again!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Update
Sorry for the long wait everyone. Haven't had much to report. Missed Oxbow, Opus and will more than likely miss Durand. Witler's back :(
Oh and I'll be missing Ken Woods as well, on account it's my son's B-day. Which is very cool 'cause I'm getting him his first bike. :)
But never fear, I'm still training, not as much as I'd like but still training none the less.
And I haven't had a chance to represent the new team yet (Silver Cycling-H-WooD Cycles). :(
On a positive note, I won't be able to bitch about being burnt-out this year. :)
Oh and I'll be missing Ken Woods as well, on account it's my son's B-day. Which is very cool 'cause I'm getting him his first bike. :)
But never fear, I'm still training, not as much as I'd like but still training none the less.
And I haven't had a chance to represent the new team yet (Silver Cycling-H-WooD Cycles). :(
On a positive note, I won't be able to bitch about being burnt-out this year. :)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Ride, Finally
Finally got out for a ride. It's been since the Iowa races. Put in 45 miles. Nothin' big but man did it feel good. I think the little break me did some good.
Still undecided about Oxbow.
Who's going?
Still undecided about Oxbow.
Who's going?
Monday, April 09, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Looking.... eh
Here's me being not fast down in Des Moines last weekend. I haven't ridden my bike since. It's good to have a couple races that make you wonder why you want to upgrade.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Need a laugh?...
Even if you've seen it before, it still makes me cry:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6021365693605761325&q=darth+vader&hl=en
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6021365693605761325&q=darth+vader&hl=en
Monday, April 02, 2007
What I miss
Sunday, April 01, 2007
EPIC!!!
Ok maybe not EPIC. Just wanted to say EPIC since it was a little over used this weekend. Well maybe it wasn't...
I did manage to get away from the wife and kids for a weekend of racing. Got my rear handed to me in the process. That's kinda EPIC.
Satuday's RR in Altoona:
Made the 3 and a half hour drive from the Cities just in time to register throw the bike together and get in a warm up. The race started and I was felling really good, really strong. By the time we got into the second lap I was kinda bored actually. Except for the constant accelerations out of the turns. It seemed everyone liked taking the turns really fast and then honking on the brakes. Well 3/4's into lap two I was haning out with Tuffy who just got done telling me that this was it and to be carefull 'cause we were at the back. So I figured it was time to heads back up towards the front. Problem was that front started pedaling away from us. OH CRAP! I quickly realized that I had to gas it or my race was over. So I did. I had to put in a pretty hard effort, too hard, to get up there. And once I was there the group hit a small climb and drilled it again. Pop goes the Wiki! I was in trouble. Nothin left in the legs and I was dropped. GAME OVER. Should have been more attentive. Could of had a much different result on the day.
Still mad about this one >:(
Des Moines Crit
Uh where's the sun and warmer temps I was promised by the weatherman? Man it was cold! I toughed it out anyways, not sure why. It stared off fine but then on the second lap, kabooooooom, bye bye. Legs said eh eh no chance dude. That sucked!
I did want to thank everyone out there who cheered me on and forced me to stay out there; Andy, Mike, Rob, Some Grumpy's guys and Super Rookie--thanks for the push!
All in all great weekend! Got some good training in (get it). Made some new friends hung out with old ones. Not bad. Not bad at all.
I did manage to get away from the wife and kids for a weekend of racing. Got my rear handed to me in the process. That's kinda EPIC.
Satuday's RR in Altoona:
Made the 3 and a half hour drive from the Cities just in time to register throw the bike together and get in a warm up. The race started and I was felling really good, really strong. By the time we got into the second lap I was kinda bored actually. Except for the constant accelerations out of the turns. It seemed everyone liked taking the turns really fast and then honking on the brakes. Well 3/4's into lap two I was haning out with Tuffy who just got done telling me that this was it and to be carefull 'cause we were at the back. So I figured it was time to heads back up towards the front. Problem was that front started pedaling away from us. OH CRAP! I quickly realized that I had to gas it or my race was over. So I did. I had to put in a pretty hard effort, too hard, to get up there. And once I was there the group hit a small climb and drilled it again. Pop goes the Wiki! I was in trouble. Nothin left in the legs and I was dropped. GAME OVER. Should have been more attentive. Could of had a much different result on the day.
Still mad about this one >:(
Des Moines Crit
Uh where's the sun and warmer temps I was promised by the weatherman? Man it was cold! I toughed it out anyways, not sure why. It stared off fine but then on the second lap, kabooooooom, bye bye. Legs said eh eh no chance dude. That sucked!
I did want to thank everyone out there who cheered me on and forced me to stay out there; Andy, Mike, Rob, Some Grumpy's guys and Super Rookie--thanks for the push!
All in all great weekend! Got some good training in (get it). Made some new friends hung out with old ones. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Wer'z da Grizz?
It seems as if I'am losing readership these days. The only people hitin' the WiKi BLOG are Mike and Dan. Thanks guys.
We here at the Wiki BLOG value our readers and will be taking steps to better our product in the next few weeks.
Stay tuned...
We here at the Wiki BLOG value our readers and will be taking steps to better our product in the next few weeks.
Stay tuned...
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Thanks
I was going to do a ride report but don't feel like writing much right now. I did however want to take a second to put out a huge Thanx to my buddy Lalla for waiting up for me on the GP ride. I was I little late hitching onto the ride coming from Woodbury and Mike being the great guy that he is pulled off at Delaware and waited at least 5 minutes. Very cool, Thanx Mike!
We TT'd it and took a little shortcut and caught back on, NICE!
Mike I think you'll do pretty well this year, riding very strong.
You da man!
We TT'd it and took a little shortcut and caught back on, NICE!
Mike I think you'll do pretty well this year, riding very strong.
You da man!
Monday, March 19, 2007
My favorite time of year
Death to all snow I say!
It's time to ride once more (outside).
I don't know about you but I love the first of the spring training rides. Obviously the warm temps are nice but being able to smell things again is nice too.
Wrap it all up into one smell--the earth, mud, grass, flowers. Wait, did I say flowers? Sure, I'm man enough to say that right? Okay maybe I should say plants. That's better.
Alright, this post is going south quick! Time to talk about something more manly.
Got it!
My Jedi Bike Training is almost complete. I'm feeling stronger than ever before. Time to throw down!
You ready?
It's time to ride once more (outside).
I don't know about you but I love the first of the spring training rides. Obviously the warm temps are nice but being able to smell things again is nice too.
Wrap it all up into one smell--the earth, mud, grass, flowers. Wait, did I say flowers? Sure, I'm man enough to say that right? Okay maybe I should say plants. That's better.
Alright, this post is going south quick! Time to talk about something more manly.
Got it!
My Jedi Bike Training is almost complete. I'm feeling stronger than ever before. Time to throw down!
You ready?
Friday, March 16, 2007
Friday, March 09, 2007
New colors to fly...
I've decided to venture away from a focus on racing mountain bikes and go full-time with the road racing thing (or at least my version of full-time).
With this change in focus comes a change in kits... more of an addition really.
With this change in focus comes a change in kits... more of an addition really.
Not that it's any real big news (meaning- I'm not a Pro) but I've decided to ride for Silver Cycling/H-WooD Cycles for the upcoming road season. I'm really excited and looking forward to gettin' to know the new squad.
Does this mean I'm leaving BCR, heck no!. When I hit the dirt this year I'll be sportin' the orange of BCR as usual.
Looking forward to a great '07.
First order of business, the Altoona RR and Des Moines Crit.
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