And a good deal of the guys who are racing in the Master categories can be typified as those who excel in the cold and feed on it.
This weekend has not been a weekend for us.
Cold and wet is best. Gloucester got close but still no cigar.
Will it get cold before Warwick?
Today was the antithesis of cold. 80+ is too hot. I blew up. I GeWilli'd the race. Mushroom cloud in the trees.
Kaboom.
But even with the epic implosion I still managed to stay on the lead lap, and wasn't DFL...
Bring on the cold please. And today's course was so f'n fast. SO fast. No rest. Power power power power power power.
I should have put a bottle cage on at the least. But I raced. And as my littlest said while we were walking to check the results, "It isn't about winning, you raced, that's what counts."
Damn she's smart.
My hip flexor took a beating with the super high speed barrier. And my back was enraged by the two step dismount on the new section by the reg tent. But I managed a finish.
and that's enough, for now.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Providence Festival of Cyclocross Day 1
Wow.
Painful course, esp for those who crashed. Thoughts go out to Rob Hult who went down really hard in the transition to the finishing stretch. Rumor has it that his arm bone was nearly poking through his skin it was broken and displaced so badly. I hope Jonny Bold is okay. I passed him as he pulled the plug by the Cliff Bar sugar station and then heard the rumor that he crashed hard.
Jerry kept his shit upright, but maybe that's because he says he didn't have legs and wearing gloves he couldn't drive the bike. Curtis squeaked into the top 10, but a whole new crop occupied the podium. Okay Wilichoski, isn't new this season but he's new this year. Results here.
My personal race? Lined up somewhere (on the left behind Wade). And we started. It was brutally hot (for a CX race) but off we went. At least much of the course was shady and we were carrying a shit ton of speed through most of it. It didn't feel nearly as oppressive as White Park up in Concord, NH.
I didn't have the same snap as Sunday at gloucester off the bike. Hoping to find a bit of that tomorrow.
Start was fast, fast, fast and faster. And I hit cruise control and parked it just below the redline and followed wheels. A few dudes tried to get a bit douchey, but most of them ended up behind me w/in a lap or two. I passed more people than passed me once we hit the barriers, but then that is what happens when you wind up close to DFL. But pass drill it and pass and I worked my ass off and didn't slide too poorly.
Matt B found some crazy mojo and was hopping the barriers and putting time in to me through them, skilz that I don't have. Oh well. I worked my ass off. Screwed up a few turns here or there. Botched it big time with Todd Rowell sitting on my wheel, pretty embarrassing really.
Best part was reeling Gary David in, until two to go when he found a second gear or i just screwed up and he got slightly more of a gap.
It really hurt. Brutal pain, not much rest and if you did rest you were losing time big time. I figured most of it out about the same time Gary A did, it got me close enough to sit on his wheel until Sean rode through me and inspired Gary to pedal just a bit harder.
I made the first page of results. 50/70 starters and 61 finishers, pretty far behind the winner by "those who do not suck" standards but for me? It was good. I'm happy with it, esp coming off of this week of course set up, life stress, and not riding again.
Got my normal pre-ride routine down pretty well, but the whole parking challenge fractured the team pretty well and there was no cohesive gathering point. Not that we needed to hold hands and say a prayer before the race or anything. The whole not drinking beer at the race does certainly change the social dynamic of the event. That's something that I'm actually grappling with a bit. The trade offs are probably worth it but it feels different. Still pretty awesome to see everyone and hang out pre-race. Post race I've been so cooked that I just feel like taking a nap. So that's part of it.
Racing with the fast old dudes is pretty awesome and pushes me to stay focused and work harder to improve, it is all good and pretty rewarding.
Tomorrow is going to be pretty brutal, esp wearing a dark long sleeve skinsuit (i'd wear shorts and a jersey if either of them fit well enough - i'm too skinny for them). But tonight is a load up with salt night and fill the body with as much fluid as I can to keep everything lubricated for 50 minutes or how ever long it takes me to finish.
Again, thoughts go out to those who hit the deck today. Heal fast.
Heddwch
G
Painful course, esp for those who crashed. Thoughts go out to Rob Hult who went down really hard in the transition to the finishing stretch. Rumor has it that his arm bone was nearly poking through his skin it was broken and displaced so badly. I hope Jonny Bold is okay. I passed him as he pulled the plug by the Cliff Bar sugar station and then heard the rumor that he crashed hard.
Jerry kept his shit upright, but maybe that's because he says he didn't have legs and wearing gloves he couldn't drive the bike. Curtis squeaked into the top 10, but a whole new crop occupied the podium. Okay Wilichoski, isn't new this season but he's new this year. Results here.
My personal race? Lined up somewhere (on the left behind Wade). And we started. It was brutally hot (for a CX race) but off we went. At least much of the course was shady and we were carrying a shit ton of speed through most of it. It didn't feel nearly as oppressive as White Park up in Concord, NH.
I didn't have the same snap as Sunday at gloucester off the bike. Hoping to find a bit of that tomorrow.
Start was fast, fast, fast and faster. And I hit cruise control and parked it just below the redline and followed wheels. A few dudes tried to get a bit douchey, but most of them ended up behind me w/in a lap or two. I passed more people than passed me once we hit the barriers, but then that is what happens when you wind up close to DFL. But pass drill it and pass and I worked my ass off and didn't slide too poorly.
Matt B found some crazy mojo and was hopping the barriers and putting time in to me through them, skilz that I don't have. Oh well. I worked my ass off. Screwed up a few turns here or there. Botched it big time with Todd Rowell sitting on my wheel, pretty embarrassing really.
Best part was reeling Gary David in, until two to go when he found a second gear or i just screwed up and he got slightly more of a gap.
It really hurt. Brutal pain, not much rest and if you did rest you were losing time big time. I figured most of it out about the same time Gary A did, it got me close enough to sit on his wheel until Sean rode through me and inspired Gary to pedal just a bit harder.
I made the first page of results. 50/70 starters and 61 finishers, pretty far behind the winner by "those who do not suck" standards but for me? It was good. I'm happy with it, esp coming off of this week of course set up, life stress, and not riding again.
Got my normal pre-ride routine down pretty well, but the whole parking challenge fractured the team pretty well and there was no cohesive gathering point. Not that we needed to hold hands and say a prayer before the race or anything. The whole not drinking beer at the race does certainly change the social dynamic of the event. That's something that I'm actually grappling with a bit. The trade offs are probably worth it but it feels different. Still pretty awesome to see everyone and hang out pre-race. Post race I've been so cooked that I just feel like taking a nap. So that's part of it.
Racing with the fast old dudes is pretty awesome and pushes me to stay focused and work harder to improve, it is all good and pretty rewarding.
Tomorrow is going to be pretty brutal, esp wearing a dark long sleeve skinsuit (i'd wear shorts and a jersey if either of them fit well enough - i'm too skinny for them). But tonight is a load up with salt night and fill the body with as much fluid as I can to keep everything lubricated for 50 minutes or how ever long it takes me to finish.
Again, thoughts go out to those who hit the deck today. Heal fast.
Heddwch
G
Friday, October 07, 2011
Gloucester Day 2 (for real this time)
Day Two really started immediately after Saturday's race ended. I recovered enough to make it back to the car, drank a bit of water till everything settled down enough to eat some food. I ate. Drank some more water and got on the trainer.
20 minutes of spinning out the legs was good, I felt much better after that was over. Headed down to the car, and changed clothes and ate a couple of bites of the bacon & egg pasta. So good. Washed the bike and then ate the rest of it while walking around to say hello and check things out. I think. Details are fuzzy a week later.
More or less that was the deal. Drank a TON of water. And not a drop of beer (big change this year). Headed home and finished washing the bike with soap and water, lubing the chain up. For the wet and muddy races I put the EVerlube lube on there and just let the mineral spirits evaporate after working it all in well (instead of wiping it off). Seems to work well. And the chain always washes clean.
(there's still mud on the bike from Sunday. and yes. it is friday)
Kit cleaned, bike cleaned and lubed, we moved on to Dinner. Baked potatoes, salad and some WF pork sausages (they were on sale). Simple. And good.
Sleep didn't really come easily but I did get some, maybe not enough but I got up with enough time to make some more of the same breakfast routine as I did the day before (oats, egg scramble wraps, coffee). Hopped in the car for the run north again.
Got there at the perfect time. Grabbed the number, checked out the course a bit, ran the beach with Nick and the stairs after that. Watched the leaders get through it and watched them race a bit. Got the stuff together, number pinned, joked around with Fatmarc, got props from his brother about my comment that the suit has room for two and moved on to getting the bike set up for pre-ride.
This time I got out there as soon as the race ended. Did a full lap before the women's race and then went back to sort through everything else and hang out a bit and kept getting ready. Relaxed, no stress. Hit the course one more time for a good lap before start of the 45+ race. After that lap I got on the trainer for about 30 minutes, and headed down to the start line to do laps with everyone else waiting for staging. And it felt cold.
And I LOVED THAT. COLD. finally. Temperatures that work for me.
We lined up and it was off. Very fast. And I was not agressive, but I wasn't slow, and that put me in probably about 60th place maybe 70th. Kind of far back. But you know what I did? I passed people.
And I passed more people. We hit the run up and it was a slow slog. Someone tried to grab me and push up on the right hand side, um yeah, no dice dude, we ain't going no where, chill. And we got up and around and pedaled. And we pedaled and we went hard. It was pretty fucking awesome.
The next feature of note was the beach run and the stairs. Again, people wanted to go faster, some how I wound up behind the gimp (he was really visibly limping off the bike esp after the stairs before the remount). Someone bounced his bike or pushed and Jerry snapped back to chill the fuck down or something. And I made like a wall. No one's passing me on the stairs. And we took off. And dropped Jerry.
And pretty soon I was racing. Catching groups, keeping a group from catching. Then a group did get on and one of them would wind up in front but he was so slow in certain sections. Every time we hit the pavement I drilled it like the day before and dropped people or really put them into deep pain to catch back up.
It was working really well for me. Pedaling so hard I was dying but then finding a spot to recover and before I knew it I was pedaling just as hard. If I had been able to ride the corners as fast as some people I'd have been way farther up, i was losing time in some of the sections but just destroying it in others.
The mud wall for example I literally sprinted up it every time on sunday. for some reason it was set up for me. I had made the catch on Carl with 2 to go (bridged up to him on the pavement). I had the group that had been dangling for a lap or two getting a bit closer than i wanted as I hit the stairs but I jammed it HARD up the beach (riding all the way to the base of the stairs is faster than getting off - i didn't get off). Carl was going hard and I was coming in hot and had gotten a good gap on the group of 6 that had been getting too close for comfort. Remounted and the rear tire felt soft, but I was thinking about the next section along the sea wall. Every lap I'd been able to absolutely CHARGE past people and gain time and Carl was in my sights.
Until...
the back end went all squishy.
flat
tire
AGAIN.
With barely more than a lap to go, my brain made a stupid choice to pack it in. No way to salvage the ride and get back to back top 50s at Gloucester, and I don't have spare wheels in the pits or a spare bike, and running the firecrest 303s (which are awesome) the neutral wheels probably would mean I wouldn't have any rear brakes. doing a lap w/o rear brakes assuming I survived the run to the pit meant... well all that created a defeatest mentality. And I pulled the plug. Pissed this time. Sure I am slow. Top 50 in the 1/2/3 35+ masters field is nothing for others, but to me that is a good result. Would have been incredible way to cap off racing on potentially two of the best cyclocross courses ever constructed (I'm serious).
But as it was I rolled back to the car. put the bike in, loaded the stuff, changed, and headed down to say hey to the really old dudes at the pop-up trailer and left. Got home in time to pick up the oldest from Rehearsal and take her shopping with me. And that was actually a great way to cap off the weekend, hanging out with her.
We did put 50ml of Doc Blue in the rear tire while at the shop on Sunday. took a bit to get it filled up, the previous batch of Doc Blue from Quad (not nearly 25ml - maybe 15) sealed the valve for a minute, but we got it all in there. It wasn't sealing well at the shop but I just kept rotating it around, and by the time we got home it was really very well sealed up and only dropped 20 pounds (60-40psi) from Sunday night until this morning. Which is pretty good for a latex tube.
So that's the Sunday story. A kick ass bike race defeated by a lack of air. Oh well. It is racing.
Bring on Providence!
heddwch
G
20 minutes of spinning out the legs was good, I felt much better after that was over. Headed down to the car, and changed clothes and ate a couple of bites of the bacon & egg pasta. So good. Washed the bike and then ate the rest of it while walking around to say hello and check things out. I think. Details are fuzzy a week later.
More or less that was the deal. Drank a TON of water. And not a drop of beer (big change this year). Headed home and finished washing the bike with soap and water, lubing the chain up. For the wet and muddy races I put the EVerlube lube on there and just let the mineral spirits evaporate after working it all in well (instead of wiping it off). Seems to work well. And the chain always washes clean.
(there's still mud on the bike from Sunday. and yes. it is friday)
Kit cleaned, bike cleaned and lubed, we moved on to Dinner. Baked potatoes, salad and some WF pork sausages (they were on sale). Simple. And good.
Sleep didn't really come easily but I did get some, maybe not enough but I got up with enough time to make some more of the same breakfast routine as I did the day before (oats, egg scramble wraps, coffee). Hopped in the car for the run north again.
Got there at the perfect time. Grabbed the number, checked out the course a bit, ran the beach with Nick and the stairs after that. Watched the leaders get through it and watched them race a bit. Got the stuff together, number pinned, joked around with Fatmarc, got props from his brother about my comment that the suit has room for two and moved on to getting the bike set up for pre-ride.
This time I got out there as soon as the race ended. Did a full lap before the women's race and then went back to sort through everything else and hang out a bit and kept getting ready. Relaxed, no stress. Hit the course one more time for a good lap before start of the 45+ race. After that lap I got on the trainer for about 30 minutes, and headed down to the start line to do laps with everyone else waiting for staging. And it felt cold.
And I LOVED THAT. COLD. finally. Temperatures that work for me.
We lined up and it was off. Very fast. And I was not agressive, but I wasn't slow, and that put me in probably about 60th place maybe 70th. Kind of far back. But you know what I did? I passed people.
And I passed more people. We hit the run up and it was a slow slog. Someone tried to grab me and push up on the right hand side, um yeah, no dice dude, we ain't going no where, chill. And we got up and around and pedaled. And we pedaled and we went hard. It was pretty fucking awesome.
The next feature of note was the beach run and the stairs. Again, people wanted to go faster, some how I wound up behind the gimp (he was really visibly limping off the bike esp after the stairs before the remount). Someone bounced his bike or pushed and Jerry snapped back to chill the fuck down or something. And I made like a wall. No one's passing me on the stairs. And we took off. And dropped Jerry.
And pretty soon I was racing. Catching groups, keeping a group from catching. Then a group did get on and one of them would wind up in front but he was so slow in certain sections. Every time we hit the pavement I drilled it like the day before and dropped people or really put them into deep pain to catch back up.
It was working really well for me. Pedaling so hard I was dying but then finding a spot to recover and before I knew it I was pedaling just as hard. If I had been able to ride the corners as fast as some people I'd have been way farther up, i was losing time in some of the sections but just destroying it in others.
The mud wall for example I literally sprinted up it every time on sunday. for some reason it was set up for me. I had made the catch on Carl with 2 to go (bridged up to him on the pavement). I had the group that had been dangling for a lap or two getting a bit closer than i wanted as I hit the stairs but I jammed it HARD up the beach (riding all the way to the base of the stairs is faster than getting off - i didn't get off). Carl was going hard and I was coming in hot and had gotten a good gap on the group of 6 that had been getting too close for comfort. Remounted and the rear tire felt soft, but I was thinking about the next section along the sea wall. Every lap I'd been able to absolutely CHARGE past people and gain time and Carl was in my sights.
Until...
the back end went all squishy.
flat
tire
AGAIN.
With barely more than a lap to go, my brain made a stupid choice to pack it in. No way to salvage the ride and get back to back top 50s at Gloucester, and I don't have spare wheels in the pits or a spare bike, and running the firecrest 303s (which are awesome) the neutral wheels probably would mean I wouldn't have any rear brakes. doing a lap w/o rear brakes assuming I survived the run to the pit meant... well all that created a defeatest mentality. And I pulled the plug. Pissed this time. Sure I am slow. Top 50 in the 1/2/3 35+ masters field is nothing for others, but to me that is a good result. Would have been incredible way to cap off racing on potentially two of the best cyclocross courses ever constructed (I'm serious).
But as it was I rolled back to the car. put the bike in, loaded the stuff, changed, and headed down to say hey to the really old dudes at the pop-up trailer and left. Got home in time to pick up the oldest from Rehearsal and take her shopping with me. And that was actually a great way to cap off the weekend, hanging out with her.
We did put 50ml of Doc Blue in the rear tire while at the shop on Sunday. took a bit to get it filled up, the previous batch of Doc Blue from Quad (not nearly 25ml - maybe 15) sealed the valve for a minute, but we got it all in there. It wasn't sealing well at the shop but I just kept rotating it around, and by the time we got home it was really very well sealed up and only dropped 20 pounds (60-40psi) from Sunday night until this morning. Which is pretty good for a latex tube.
So that's the Sunday story. A kick ass bike race defeated by a lack of air. Oh well. It is racing.
Bring on Providence!
heddwch
G
Great Deeds
Steve Jobs died a day or two ago. Maybe you've heard the news.
Not really a shock, we knew his time was limited. 2003 i think, right? That was the initial diagnosis. My dear friend Amy's father was diagnosed the same thing Steve had. The cancer was found at the end of March. Mr Anderson died on July 8th. Not nearly enough time for the trans-formative power cancer can give certain people.
I watched this unaired commercial and thought of someone else who wanted to change the world...
I made me think about Mark Louis Francis Nicholson enough that I had to take a moment to write this on Mark's FB wall:
Excuse me a moment. I have to close my office door.
We can all conceptually agree that to live life the way Mark and Steve did post diagnosis, to fight and beat the odds the way they both did. Add Dr. David Servan-Schreiber to the list even maybe. We know what we might do if we were given a short time, but without the certainty and the deadline, do we really ever push ourselves the same. Can we even push ourselves that much? For 99% of the people out there, no we can't.
Rolling through the growing list of friends and family who've fought and lost the battle with Cancer, I hate it more each day. I have great frustration in the lack of a desire to work on prevention in favor of a cure, there's far more money to be made in treatment than prevention and as I've said before much in the same way Type II diabetes is being dealt with.
I'm just reflecting a bit.
I have been more cynical and negative about the press and media hype about SJ's passing than maybe I should, that said, even reflecting as I am now I still feel it is a bit overblown. But the human race does involuntarily select single individuals out for greatness, despite the fact that they never act alone, and never achieve their greatness alone.
I tend to reflect on Mark's life more around Cyclocross season because of the few races I picked him up at and we went to together. The time talking with him in the car was awesome. He always did well too and nothing ever phased him except when he thought he lost the green fuzzy scarf, and then it was more sadness and resignation than anger or frustration.
To me, Mark will always be a great individual. And my daughter's words after spending the day at the bike race with him will ever ring true, "Daddy, he is my favorite Mark."
Yes, little one, he's my favorite Mark too.
Heddwch
G
Not really a shock, we knew his time was limited. 2003 i think, right? That was the initial diagnosis. My dear friend Amy's father was diagnosed the same thing Steve had. The cancer was found at the end of March. Mr Anderson died on July 8th. Not nearly enough time for the trans-formative power cancer can give certain people.
I watched this unaired commercial and thought of someone else who wanted to change the world...
I made me think about Mark Louis Francis Nicholson enough that I had to take a moment to write this on Mark's FB wall:
The passing of Steve Jobs, and all he accomplished after his diagnosis reminds me of all you accomplished in your short time with us. I think of all the people who's lives were deeply touched, all because you had cancer. It is a horrible thing that it ultimately took you from us, but at the same time allowed so many of us to be inspired by your soul, your courage, your compassion, your radiant light. I miss you Mark.And now I think I have something in my eye because they are watering so much that I can't really see clearly right now. I'm sure those who were close to Steve must feel the same way I feel thinking about Mark.
Excuse me a moment. I have to close my office door.
We can all conceptually agree that to live life the way Mark and Steve did post diagnosis, to fight and beat the odds the way they both did. Add Dr. David Servan-Schreiber to the list even maybe. We know what we might do if we were given a short time, but without the certainty and the deadline, do we really ever push ourselves the same. Can we even push ourselves that much? For 99% of the people out there, no we can't.
Rolling through the growing list of friends and family who've fought and lost the battle with Cancer, I hate it more each day. I have great frustration in the lack of a desire to work on prevention in favor of a cure, there's far more money to be made in treatment than prevention and as I've said before much in the same way Type II diabetes is being dealt with.
I'm just reflecting a bit.
I have been more cynical and negative about the press and media hype about SJ's passing than maybe I should, that said, even reflecting as I am now I still feel it is a bit overblown. But the human race does involuntarily select single individuals out for greatness, despite the fact that they never act alone, and never achieve their greatness alone.
I tend to reflect on Mark's life more around Cyclocross season because of the few races I picked him up at and we went to together. The time talking with him in the car was awesome. He always did well too and nothing ever phased him except when he thought he lost the green fuzzy scarf, and then it was more sadness and resignation than anger or frustration.
To me, Mark will always be a great individual. And my daughter's words after spending the day at the bike race with him will ever ring true, "Daddy, he is my favorite Mark."
Yes, little one, he's my favorite Mark too.
Heddwch
G
Thursday, October 06, 2011
a connection
To the man who said these words:
"Life is a continuum in which we all owe a debt to the past and are under obligation to the future."
-William Niering
A connection made more profound and personal after discovering something new lately...
He was a brilliant man. One who influenced me greatly. A real mentor. And probably the reason I hit the Botanical vs other focus of study.
"Life is a continuum in which we all owe a debt to the past and are under obligation to the future."
-William Niering
A connection made more profound and personal after discovering something new lately...
He was a brilliant man. One who influenced me greatly. A real mentor. And probably the reason I hit the Botanical vs other focus of study.
still waiting
Haven't written it yet - (day 2 report). Spent yesterday morning helping to set up the Providence Festival of Cyclocross Course. Stevens has some new wrinkles that should make it pretty interesting and while still PVD should be fresh and new (and harder).
Fortunately (in my opinion) the 'Tree Warden' is feeling the pain of losing 250+ trees in the Hurricane and had declared the tree and the roots around the trees off limits for the course. Which I like, but also means Stevens has added some crazy turny shit that is very new.
Those of you who showed up in 2005 and 2006 for Nationals might remember the whole Jelly Belly bowl and that side of the hill. There wasn't a blade of grass there. Or in a few other spots. What the crew putting on the race has done is pay for re-seeding of the whole place each year. They are the only group doing that and the Park doesn't do it. Because of a big time cyclocross race the venue has IMPROVED, not been degrade. The park is better due to cyclocross than the opposite.
Pretty cool bit of trivia I think.
Parking is going to nuts because the old racer parking (the road at the top of the hill leading from the Boathouse above the Carousel) is full of trees and limbs and leaves and all sorts of Hurricane Irene debris.
There's space but it will be a bit more creative than in the past. Pit tent parking is going to be on the backside, and of course, no open grills/fires/cooking at the race. You want to be subtle about it, fine, but this isn't a tailgate venue.
I'm going to try and get out and pre-ride tomorrow afternoon, come join the fun if you're local.
Heading back out today to help finish up. We got it almost all staked when I have to leave at 2pm, hopefully the wind will stay mellow and we can get the snow fencing up and most of the course tape up, and what ever else the crazy race designer has in store for those who show up to help.
heddwch
G
Fortunately (in my opinion) the 'Tree Warden' is feeling the pain of losing 250+ trees in the Hurricane and had declared the tree and the roots around the trees off limits for the course. Which I like, but also means Stevens has added some crazy turny shit that is very new.
Those of you who showed up in 2005 and 2006 for Nationals might remember the whole Jelly Belly bowl and that side of the hill. There wasn't a blade of grass there. Or in a few other spots. What the crew putting on the race has done is pay for re-seeding of the whole place each year. They are the only group doing that and the Park doesn't do it. Because of a big time cyclocross race the venue has IMPROVED, not been degrade. The park is better due to cyclocross than the opposite.
Pretty cool bit of trivia I think.
Parking is going to nuts because the old racer parking (the road at the top of the hill leading from the Boathouse above the Carousel) is full of trees and limbs and leaves and all sorts of Hurricane Irene debris.
There's space but it will be a bit more creative than in the past. Pit tent parking is going to be on the backside, and of course, no open grills/fires/cooking at the race. You want to be subtle about it, fine, but this isn't a tailgate venue.
I'm going to try and get out and pre-ride tomorrow afternoon, come join the fun if you're local.
Heading back out today to help finish up. We got it almost all staked when I have to leave at 2pm, hopefully the wind will stay mellow and we can get the snow fencing up and most of the course tape up, and what ever else the crazy race designer has in store for those who show up to help.
heddwch
G
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Day 2 Gloucester
Yeah, it didn't get written last night did it? Nope.
This morning?
Nope.
Did it happen?
Yup.
Enough about me - see how many times you can spot CycloWHAT? and Todd in this:
"Behind The Barriers" Season II Episode 2 from Behind The Barriers on Vimeo.
And then try and survive the first part to get to the end:
And yeah...
So I should write up day two, eventually. I wasted my lunch time watching B2B II 2 and reading Bittman's latest.
Really - go read it. And check the links.
Oh shit (yeah yeah i swear too much - is 40 too old to change?) I was going to do a bit of a food thing, about Oatmeal spurred by the comments from the other post.
And something else too... forget now.
Legs are definitely feeling sore from the weekend even after 20 miles of spinning lightly yesterday (with a couple forced hills of no choice in there to put an exclamation point on the fact that they need recovery). This morning's ride in was fast Zone 1... ala high 90s HRM and speeds between 15-20 (depending on the wind and slope).
On the plus side - Tubular is holding air still. 50ml of doc blue seems to do the trick. That and my new skinny ass is still probably too fat to run the RR tubies at the pressure I was.
So yeah I'll get to writing about Day 2. Soon. Maybe.
heddwch
G
This morning?
Nope.
Did it happen?
Yup.
Enough about me - see how many times you can spot CycloWHAT? and Todd in this:
"Behind The Barriers" Season II Episode 2 from Behind The Barriers on Vimeo.
And then try and survive the first part to get to the end:
And yeah...
So I should write up day two, eventually. I wasted my lunch time watching B2B II 2 and reading Bittman's latest.
Really - go read it. And check the links.
Oh shit (yeah yeah i swear too much - is 40 too old to change?) I was going to do a bit of a food thing, about Oatmeal spurred by the comments from the other post.
And something else too... forget now.
Legs are definitely feeling sore from the weekend even after 20 miles of spinning lightly yesterday (with a couple forced hills of no choice in there to put an exclamation point on the fact that they need recovery). This morning's ride in was fast Zone 1... ala high 90s HRM and speeds between 15-20 (depending on the wind and slope).
On the plus side - Tubular is holding air still. 50ml of doc blue seems to do the trick. That and my new skinny ass is still probably too fat to run the RR tubies at the pressure I was.
So yeah I'll get to writing about Day 2. Soon. Maybe.
heddwch
G
Monday, October 03, 2011
New England Worlds aka CXmas
Two days. Two races. Two results. Some definite progress for me in many areas.
Call it an awesome weekend race. It certainly lived up to the hype in the racing and course and competition departments. The social stuff? Not as much but then, well, you can party or you can act like an 'athlete' or something, some fast dude told me something along those lines this summer. More than a little truth to that.
Pre-amble? Well I seem to be doing much better than last year. Still plenty to work on and both the course and the people around me seem to be important to get my brain in the game, and I've got some tire issues to figure out. The drive up and back wasn't too bad and the Rusty Race Wagon must have wanted to impress the Previous Owner and it did the job quite well.
Race prep for this weekend really did begin on Thursday and Friday. less about being on the bike and more about relaxing, resting a little and eating a ton (of good stuff). The efforts all seemed to pay off, and the rest kept me feeling fresh.
Day 1 dawned and I climbed out of bed nice and late (6am). Fired up the coffee maker, and ate some oatmeal while catching up on the night's twitter noise. Downed the coffee while making the pre-race food.
I've tried a handful of different things. Eggs in a wrap with veggies and some meat certainly kept me full but left me a bit dead. Oatmeal (steel cut or rolled and steamed) alone always left me feeling hungry, but with a bit more energy during the race. Since I've bailed on drinking anything other than coffee or water carbs are sort of important. Eating the oats at 6:30 (5+ hrs before race time) seems to be a good magic number. Seems to work as long as I get a full belly 4+ hours before race time. Then at 3 hours before I eat the 'meal.' Saturday i made a scramble, olive oil, onions, mushrooms, red pepper, habanero, turmeric, black pepper, garlic, napa cabbage two eggs and some cheese. I divided all that into three burrito wraps. Ate them after stopping at the BK road side place there on 128 (just before 9). I actually only ate 2. Saved the third for post race recovery food along with the pasta (carbonara w/bacon) I made Friday night and an apple. Added a bite of oatmeal at 10:40 just before heading out for the second pre-ride recon lap. A Chocolate Cherry Clif shot 20 min before the race and a bunch of water and coffee.
It seemed to work, or at least wasn't a limiter. Curtis is right, what's the point of focusing on all that if I'm not as fast as he is? Well, if I focus on that stuff (that I have control on) I won't suck relative to my potential, as low as the potential might be.
Warm up was 3/4 of a lap before the 10am race. A full lap before the 11am race and then 30 min of trainer ending about 20 min before our race at noon.
The race? Lined up Sort of way far back. Still a good number of rows behind me though. I think I was seeded in the 70s or so with 93 starters that put maybe 20 guys behind me (not that many). But there were plenty of faster than me guys in the row in front of me (Wade Summers, Shawn McCormack, David Stacey...). And really when it came right down to it most of the field really was pretty fast.
We started up the hill and I just chilled, didn't actively try and blow up but I kept my head down in the draft and followed the crowd, pedaling harder than some, but not riding as stupid as others. And we were racing.
Up, turn, off the bike, run, pedal hard turn what not. It was muddy for our race. The rain over night saturated everything and the four races previous to ours chewed up the course very well, worked the water into mud and everything was slick and goopy. Fun stuff. Oh and we had the flyover. Foot deep mud in places on the down hill approach to it. Nuts. The sun started coming out for the 1pm race and the course dried right the hell out. We had the best conditions of the day.
Negacoach was yelling that I was about 50th, which was spectacular for me considering the race predictor. And I was catching Scott Brooks (who usually is way up there with MKR or at least closer to MKR than me). With two to go Scott sort of stretched the elastic a bit and the spots I was catching him weren't compensating for the spots I was losing time on. BUT I WAS RACING! Not just Scott. A few people came through me there with a couple to go. 6 maybe. Too many for certain. But I was really able to unload watts on the paved hill that no one (around me) was matching and in a few other spots.
I was flying up the wooden stairs and over the barriers. Making up lots of time in those spots. On Saturday i wasn't really making up time on the muddy run up but I wasn't losing too much. We came around and I actually sort of pulled it together after a bit of a slide and while the OA guy (John Meerse) and the CCB guy (Sean Langford) got around me and Meerse passed Langford on the hill, I turned onto the finishing stretch and boom, unloaded every last mg of glycogen and what ever else I had to make those muscles contract and went further into the red than I have in a long time. Sean was already at the TIMMIE pop up (three or four trees up) when I turned on to the pavement so it was going to be tight but unload I did. I did probably sprint in the tops but whatever. Got up to speed and flew past Sean and was making hard core time on John and he looked back and I had just enough to pimp him at the line with a bike throw. Of course as soon as I cross the line I thought "I hope no one is standing in front of me this time" I was focused on the finish line and Meerse. Not what was beyond it.
Fortunately no one was there and I spend the next few minutes (felt like an eternity) trying to recover my breath. It didn't really matter what place it was (54/93) but I wasn't about to get lapped and despite a slight slide I held on to solidly beat the Race Predictor. And it was BRUTAL. And I felt exhausted. Literally walking back to the car like a zombie when it was time to leave.
Highlight was always running into Fatmarc. Also chatting the LVG and the Auer Machine. And hell everyone else. It was good. I did tone the insanity down a bit. Post race I ate the food I brought, drank a bunch of water, and sat on the trainer for 20 minutes. And finally after watching the women's start and a lap or so while chatting with folks I headed home. Pulling in at around 5pm. Long day. But a good day.
The short off the cuff race report that I wrote that night may have a few other details or not. The course was great. A nice mix of go really hard and then recover for a second, and I probably 'recovered' too much but whatever.
I'll get to day two in a bit.
Surprisingly despite the massive amount of off the bike and running (no real long runs anyway, just stairs) and my total lack of any running this year, I'm doing pretty well physically today. Right glute is sore, the top of my calf is sore but that's about it. Heart rate was very acceptably low this morning and the ride in was mellow but not wicked slow, even keeping the HR down. Good signs I think.
Heddwch
G
Call it an awesome weekend race. It certainly lived up to the hype in the racing and course and competition departments. The social stuff? Not as much but then, well, you can party or you can act like an 'athlete' or something, some fast dude told me something along those lines this summer. More than a little truth to that.
Pre-amble? Well I seem to be doing much better than last year. Still plenty to work on and both the course and the people around me seem to be important to get my brain in the game, and I've got some tire issues to figure out. The drive up and back wasn't too bad and the Rusty Race Wagon must have wanted to impress the Previous Owner and it did the job quite well.
Race prep for this weekend really did begin on Thursday and Friday. less about being on the bike and more about relaxing, resting a little and eating a ton (of good stuff). The efforts all seemed to pay off, and the rest kept me feeling fresh.
Day 1 dawned and I climbed out of bed nice and late (6am). Fired up the coffee maker, and ate some oatmeal while catching up on the night's twitter noise. Downed the coffee while making the pre-race food.
I've tried a handful of different things. Eggs in a wrap with veggies and some meat certainly kept me full but left me a bit dead. Oatmeal (steel cut or rolled and steamed) alone always left me feeling hungry, but with a bit more energy during the race. Since I've bailed on drinking anything other than coffee or water carbs are sort of important. Eating the oats at 6:30 (5+ hrs before race time) seems to be a good magic number. Seems to work as long as I get a full belly 4+ hours before race time. Then at 3 hours before I eat the 'meal.' Saturday i made a scramble, olive oil, onions, mushrooms, red pepper, habanero, turmeric, black pepper, garlic, napa cabbage two eggs and some cheese. I divided all that into three burrito wraps. Ate them after stopping at the BK road side place there on 128 (just before 9). I actually only ate 2. Saved the third for post race recovery food along with the pasta (carbonara w/bacon) I made Friday night and an apple. Added a bite of oatmeal at 10:40 just before heading out for the second pre-ride recon lap. A Chocolate Cherry Clif shot 20 min before the race and a bunch of water and coffee.
It seemed to work, or at least wasn't a limiter. Curtis is right, what's the point of focusing on all that if I'm not as fast as he is? Well, if I focus on that stuff (that I have control on) I won't suck relative to my potential, as low as the potential might be.
Warm up was 3/4 of a lap before the 10am race. A full lap before the 11am race and then 30 min of trainer ending about 20 min before our race at noon.
The race? Lined up Sort of way far back. Still a good number of rows behind me though. I think I was seeded in the 70s or so with 93 starters that put maybe 20 guys behind me (not that many). But there were plenty of faster than me guys in the row in front of me (Wade Summers, Shawn McCormack, David Stacey...). And really when it came right down to it most of the field really was pretty fast.
We started up the hill and I just chilled, didn't actively try and blow up but I kept my head down in the draft and followed the crowd, pedaling harder than some, but not riding as stupid as others. And we were racing.
Up, turn, off the bike, run, pedal hard turn what not. It was muddy for our race. The rain over night saturated everything and the four races previous to ours chewed up the course very well, worked the water into mud and everything was slick and goopy. Fun stuff. Oh and we had the flyover. Foot deep mud in places on the down hill approach to it. Nuts. The sun started coming out for the 1pm race and the course dried right the hell out. We had the best conditions of the day.
Negacoach was yelling that I was about 50th, which was spectacular for me considering the race predictor. And I was catching Scott Brooks (who usually is way up there with MKR or at least closer to MKR than me). With two to go Scott sort of stretched the elastic a bit and the spots I was catching him weren't compensating for the spots I was losing time on. BUT I WAS RACING! Not just Scott. A few people came through me there with a couple to go. 6 maybe. Too many for certain. But I was really able to unload watts on the paved hill that no one (around me) was matching and in a few other spots.
I was flying up the wooden stairs and over the barriers. Making up lots of time in those spots. On Saturday i wasn't really making up time on the muddy run up but I wasn't losing too much. We came around and I actually sort of pulled it together after a bit of a slide and while the OA guy (John Meerse) and the CCB guy (Sean Langford) got around me and Meerse passed Langford on the hill, I turned onto the finishing stretch and boom, unloaded every last mg of glycogen and what ever else I had to make those muscles contract and went further into the red than I have in a long time. Sean was already at the TIMMIE pop up (three or four trees up) when I turned on to the pavement so it was going to be tight but unload I did. I did probably sprint in the tops but whatever. Got up to speed and flew past Sean and was making hard core time on John and he looked back and I had just enough to pimp him at the line with a bike throw. Of course as soon as I cross the line I thought "I hope no one is standing in front of me this time" I was focused on the finish line and Meerse. Not what was beyond it.
Fortunately no one was there and I spend the next few minutes (felt like an eternity) trying to recover my breath. It didn't really matter what place it was (54/93) but I wasn't about to get lapped and despite a slight slide I held on to solidly beat the Race Predictor. And it was BRUTAL. And I felt exhausted. Literally walking back to the car like a zombie when it was time to leave.
Highlight was always running into Fatmarc. Also chatting the LVG and the Auer Machine. And hell everyone else. It was good. I did tone the insanity down a bit. Post race I ate the food I brought, drank a bunch of water, and sat on the trainer for 20 minutes. And finally after watching the women's start and a lap or so while chatting with folks I headed home. Pulling in at around 5pm. Long day. But a good day.
The short off the cuff race report that I wrote that night may have a few other details or not. The course was great. A nice mix of go really hard and then recover for a second, and I probably 'recovered' too much but whatever.
Grand Prix of Gloucester was brutal today. Tom Stevens out did him self. The fly over was pretty okay. Could have used a few extra feet on the flat section up top, the approach to is was a nightmare slogfest.
Course was tough. I think I beat the race predictor by 25 places or so which is a huge win for me. Sprinted past 56th and 55th place to nab 54th. 93 starters. Conditions were the most brutal of the day. Still wet and chewed up from all the morning races and the rain, but after our race it started warming up and drying out.
I gave it everything, slipped about 5 spots over the last two laps (actually 7 but i got two back), and was a bit further back from the leaders than i wanted but wow that was tough. Tough course.
Here's to hoping my recovery and the nice 2 hrs in the car on the way home translate into decent legs tomorrow.
And it was fun. A lot of fun. And that made it all worth while. I did walk back to the rusty race wagon for the final time more a zombie than anything, but it was worth the pain and the effort. Great course.
And my Team mate Curtis nabbed the podium. 'Live' results here:http://www.crossresults.com/race/1819
I'll get to day two in a bit.
Surprisingly despite the massive amount of off the bike and running (no real long runs anyway, just stairs) and my total lack of any running this year, I'm doing pretty well physically today. Right glute is sore, the top of my calf is sore but that's about it. Heart rate was very acceptably low this morning and the ride in was mellow but not wicked slow, even keeping the HR down. Good signs I think.
Heddwch
G
Friday, September 30, 2011
Flyovers - the short perspective
Check out what Kerry's written about it.
She has some pretty good points. Anyone remember watching the women attempt it at MRC last year? How about the giant clusterfuck first time over it at Ice Weasels? No Flyover and RMM doesn't look like a giant spazz losing minutes because everyone packed into each other.
I just hope it comes WAY late in the course, well after a good number of bottle necks to spread the field out.
Steven's is a mad genius at times and other just flat out full baller nutter (esp when it comes to Crossresults.com ranking - at least as of last year). Hell we are all quirky.
I went through everything already. Add the wet. Toe spikes are required for muddy run ups, hell that loamy earth even when the rest of the course was dry was not affording much grip w/o them. Toe spikes on wooden steps? Not just the Steven's steps held in with 2x2 stakes, talking full on constructed wood. Wicked cool and all. Neat. Maybe could be helpful in making the course new and unique, but also a solid recipe for disaster.
I'm very curious about what I will find when I arrive there tomorrow morning. Excited, anxious... all of it. Bring on the racing pain and the fun and challenge.
She has some pretty good points. Anyone remember watching the women attempt it at MRC last year? How about the giant clusterfuck first time over it at Ice Weasels? No Flyover and RMM doesn't look like a giant spazz losing minutes because everyone packed into each other.
I just hope it comes WAY late in the course, well after a good number of bottle necks to spread the field out.
Steven's is a mad genius at times and other just flat out full baller nutter (esp when it comes to Crossresults.com ranking - at least as of last year). Hell we are all quirky.
I went through everything already. Add the wet. Toe spikes are required for muddy run ups, hell that loamy earth even when the rest of the course was dry was not affording much grip w/o them. Toe spikes on wooden steps? Not just the Steven's steps held in with 2x2 stakes, talking full on constructed wood. Wicked cool and all. Neat. Maybe could be helpful in making the course new and unique, but also a solid recipe for disaster.
I'm very curious about what I will find when I arrive there tomorrow morning. Excited, anxious... all of it. Bring on the racing pain and the fun and challenge.
Gloucester Eve
Today is Christmas Eve (if you open presents on the 25th not the 24th for some reason if you open them on the 24th then today is like the 23rd) for New England Cyclocross fanatics.
Tomorrow is Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter, Valentines day and Fourth of July wrapped into one weekend.
Aka Daytona 500. Often called New England Worlds, it is pretty close to that.
We've got an international field. Sure, no Nys or Stybar or those other monsters but hey, we go to watch our friends get destroyed by the course.
I have a feeling that it is going to be so much less of a grass crit this year that people will actually kind of wish for the old days of power riding and going fast. Some people will.
Here's the list of rumors:
Flyover (look in between the dude with the goggles and the hood of Steven's truck - or here over the thumb)
Steven's Stairs
Barriers
Crazy sea wall run up
Sand Pit*
Hell that's quite a bit esp since most years the sand pit is packed like concrete.
AND it is supposed to rain.
Is this going to be insane or what?
Prep? For that? What do you do. Sort of like realizing the final exam isn't just covering the material from the last test but from the whole year... the day before the test. Ooops.
This is going to be completely f'n nuts with 110 35+ dudes. Going to be some crazy first few laps. Oh to have the legs and points to start up front. Going to be a mental challenge. Go hard, don't blow up, don't fuck up, pedal to the end. Destroy the legs where I can pedal and only be douchy in the corners with Nick and Jerry.
Made a bit of breakfast this morning. Figured I should eat. Why not. My brother's stopped by yesterday afternoon following the hospital adventure (no big deal it turned out) and dropped off a mostly empty 12 pack of Harpoon IPA. And well, you know what? I had to have a couple. This week has been, almost, a wash as far as training goes. Close to the point where I could retroactively call it a rest week. But I seem to have too many of those lately.
Life is supposed to settle down into a routine. Yeah. So much for that. Sick days galore with all the doctors and dentists and what not these last three weeks. Training? Huh? Who has time for that? Mid-week racing? Yeah right.
What did GeWilli eat for breakfast? Coffee. Hah
no actually I did eat more than that. sauteed a bit of onion and some mushrooms in some butter and olive oil with one habanero pepper (seeds removed because they were funky and black).
Added some rice, napa cabbage, radish greens, hoisin sauce, shoyu sauce and two eggs.
Looked pretty much like dog puke. Even I was slightly put off by the appearance (needed more bright red peppers or something, ah shit, should have put a pile of turmeric in there -damnit - i knew i forgot more than just the garlic).
BUT it tasted not so bad.
Wound up riding with Tatar on the way in this morning. Solid case of half-wheeling each other. We just kept ramping the pace up until we were doing 23mph and talking... my heart rate was slowly climbing to 150 after a couple miles and with both remarked that we planned to ride in easily... oh shit, neither of us really intended to half-wheel and we ain't newbies. But talking about Gloucester has a strange influence.
Of course we had to race up the hill to the parkway... got the HR to the max and kept it in Zone 5 until we hit the down hill. legs felt better than lungs, but now legs are feeling it. either way - calling it a great opener for this weekend.
Broke down and just grabbed the 47s off the shelf at the shop. There's these nice orange Bontrager RL shoes there. Not the fancy XLs or anything, the cheap ones. But those old specialized shoes are dead after two years of CX and two years of commuting. The toe spikes are frozen in there and worn down to nothing. Can't even fathom the Sea Wall Scramble w/o spikes. Taking the eSoles out and replacing it with the ancient Sidi insoles that have migrated from my 1996 Dominators did wonders for fit. Toe box and shoe volume is still a bit roomier than i would like and the ratchet is at or near the limit but wow. The difference is way more than I realized. Those old shoes probably were robbing me of 100 watts (kidding). And well, if the LGs actually ever show up I will have two pairs of shoes to go back and forth with. And the orange detail matches the road kit for bonus points.
All over the place today huh.
What the HELL is Boudreau using THIS for?
This weekend is going to be
off
the
hook
See you there. And yes. Big Orange will be in effect. If anyone has a line on an orange skinsuit let me know, warming up in that would be easier than the coveralls.
heddwch
G
Tomorrow is Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter, Valentines day and Fourth of July wrapped into one weekend.
Aka Daytona 500. Often called New England Worlds, it is pretty close to that.
We've got an international field. Sure, no Nys or Stybar or those other monsters but hey, we go to watch our friends get destroyed by the course.
I have a feeling that it is going to be so much less of a grass crit this year that people will actually kind of wish for the old days of power riding and going fast. Some people will.
Here's the list of rumors:
Flyover (look in between the dude with the goggles and the hood of Steven's truck - or here over the thumb)
Steven's Stairs
Barriers
Crazy sea wall run up
Sand Pit*
Hell that's quite a bit esp since most years the sand pit is packed like concrete.
AND it is supposed to rain.
Is this going to be insane or what?
Prep? For that? What do you do. Sort of like realizing the final exam isn't just covering the material from the last test but from the whole year... the day before the test. Ooops.
This is going to be completely f'n nuts with 110 35+ dudes. Going to be some crazy first few laps. Oh to have the legs and points to start up front. Going to be a mental challenge. Go hard, don't blow up, don't fuck up, pedal to the end. Destroy the legs where I can pedal and only be douchy in the corners with Nick and Jerry.
Made a bit of breakfast this morning. Figured I should eat. Why not. My brother's stopped by yesterday afternoon following the hospital adventure (no big deal it turned out) and dropped off a mostly empty 12 pack of Harpoon IPA. And well, you know what? I had to have a couple. This week has been, almost, a wash as far as training goes. Close to the point where I could retroactively call it a rest week. But I seem to have too many of those lately.
Life is supposed to settle down into a routine. Yeah. So much for that. Sick days galore with all the doctors and dentists and what not these last three weeks. Training? Huh? Who has time for that? Mid-week racing? Yeah right.
What did GeWilli eat for breakfast? Coffee. Hah
no actually I did eat more than that. sauteed a bit of onion and some mushrooms in some butter and olive oil with one habanero pepper (seeds removed because they were funky and black).
Added some rice, napa cabbage, radish greens, hoisin sauce, shoyu sauce and two eggs.
Looked pretty much like dog puke. Even I was slightly put off by the appearance (needed more bright red peppers or something, ah shit, should have put a pile of turmeric in there -damnit - i knew i forgot more than just the garlic).
BUT it tasted not so bad.
Wound up riding with Tatar on the way in this morning. Solid case of half-wheeling each other. We just kept ramping the pace up until we were doing 23mph and talking... my heart rate was slowly climbing to 150 after a couple miles and with both remarked that we planned to ride in easily... oh shit, neither of us really intended to half-wheel and we ain't newbies. But talking about Gloucester has a strange influence.
Of course we had to race up the hill to the parkway... got the HR to the max and kept it in Zone 5 until we hit the down hill. legs felt better than lungs, but now legs are feeling it. either way - calling it a great opener for this weekend.
Broke down and just grabbed the 47s off the shelf at the shop. There's these nice orange Bontrager RL shoes there. Not the fancy XLs or anything, the cheap ones. But those old specialized shoes are dead after two years of CX and two years of commuting. The toe spikes are frozen in there and worn down to nothing. Can't even fathom the Sea Wall Scramble w/o spikes. Taking the eSoles out and replacing it with the ancient Sidi insoles that have migrated from my 1996 Dominators did wonders for fit. Toe box and shoe volume is still a bit roomier than i would like and the ratchet is at or near the limit but wow. The difference is way more than I realized. Those old shoes probably were robbing me of 100 watts (kidding). And well, if the LGs actually ever show up I will have two pairs of shoes to go back and forth with. And the orange detail matches the road kit for bonus points.
All over the place today huh.
What the HELL is Boudreau using THIS for?
This weekend is going to be
off
the
hook
See you there. And yes. Big Orange will be in effect. If anyone has a line on an orange skinsuit let me know, warming up in that would be easier than the coveralls.
heddwch
G
What I Need
Ghillie Suit.... and a dollar dollar dollar is what i need...
Thanks for the link @JoachimParbo
Thanks for the link @JoachimParbo
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Chili my way today style
Food, cook it up, it is good. Soothing. Mellow. Like wrenching bikes or trouble shooting microscopes.
Roast 1 Anaheim Chili, 1 Poblano, 1 red pepper.
1/2 a big onion
some ground beef
pinto beans (soaked over night with some Kombu - then cooked for a bit with the kombu in fresh water until being mixed into the chili).
1 can of crushed tomatoes
a pile of fresh ground cumin, and another pile of ground chili (not chili powder), dash of cinnamon, and cocoa powder.
some salt
and a handful of cloves of fresh garlic pressed into the chili.
let it all simmer (put all the stuff in the right order)
oh and some corn (frozen works if you don't have any ears laying around)
when the beans are soft, or to desired tenderness, eat.
Roast 1 Anaheim Chili, 1 Poblano, 1 red pepper.
1/2 a big onion
some ground beef
pinto beans (soaked over night with some Kombu - then cooked for a bit with the kombu in fresh water until being mixed into the chili).
1 can of crushed tomatoes
a pile of fresh ground cumin, and another pile of ground chili (not chili powder), dash of cinnamon, and cocoa powder.
some salt
and a handful of cloves of fresh garlic pressed into the chili.
let it all simmer (put all the stuff in the right order)
oh and some corn (frozen works if you don't have any ears laying around)
when the beans are soft, or to desired tenderness, eat.
Down to One
To add to everything... Yehuda Moon is finished.
That's kinda sucky. I read two comics. Frazz and Yehuda Moon. Now I read one.
That's kinda sucky. I read two comics. Frazz and Yehuda Moon. Now I read one.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
same thing
motivation no where to be found. legs actually decently rested, good night sleep but the head isn't in it.
planned to do the sprint intervals today and twenties tomorrow.
that didn't happen.
oh well.
The Midnight Ride CX race is going to be off the hook insane. For about 2 min I thought about single speeding the bike and making the haul. But yeah, that's not going to happen.
The ride in this morning started off pretty mellow, then a colleague caught me and I upped the tempo. He was going pretty good and I was feeling good and still keeping the HR down in Z1 at 18-20mph on the 300# fendered croll. I allowed myself to match his pace up the one little rise and recovered well. Physiologically I think I am actually recovered and ready for training. Mentally? Nope. Not even close.
Oh well.
Somethings never change.
planned to do the sprint intervals today and twenties tomorrow.
that didn't happen.
oh well.
The Midnight Ride CX race is going to be off the hook insane. For about 2 min I thought about single speeding the bike and making the haul. But yeah, that's not going to happen.
The ride in this morning started off pretty mellow, then a colleague caught me and I upped the tempo. He was going pretty good and I was feeling good and still keeping the HR down in Z1 at 18-20mph on the 300# fendered croll. I allowed myself to match his pace up the one little rise and recovered well. Physiologically I think I am actually recovered and ready for training. Mentally? Nope. Not even close.
Oh well.
Somethings never change.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Junk Food is More Expensive
As a meal plan anyway. If you are okay with globs of trans-fat and sugar Little Debbies are probably pretty cheap eats but a meal they do not make (talk about heart disease in a plastic wrapper - even if you are a healthy individual with a Body Fat % down in the singles)...
Mark Bittman has a great article up today
So many good points. The core problem about how cooking is stressful is somewhat sad. it can be stressful, but most of the stress is in just figuring out WHAT to cook.
Part of my week that I spent way to much time waiting in an office/lounge I picked up some of those magazines, Real Simple or Parenting or heck I don't remember what. I did manage to read most of the New Yorker Article on Jock and the Rwanda cycling team so it wasn't all food. But one "helpful tip" was to have the same breakfast every day. Seriously? Why not have the same dinner every night? How about the same lunch every day? Why bother with diversity... The tip's logic was doing the same thing reduced the stress and thought when you are just waking up. And yes, skim milk with a high protein cereal (still cereal) was one of their suggestions. I'd say if you're going to have the same thing every morning go with a hard boiled egg (make a weeks worth some time while you're screwing around on the internet or watching TV some time during the weekend). They are easy. Put them in a non-reactive pan, cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Once boiling turn the heat off and set the timer for 12 minutes. Rinse em with cold water and stick em in the fridge. Peel and eat. Done. No thought, simple. Cheap.
Another super simple breakfast that takes no time and if you're cooking for one or two makes some left overs for a day or two.
Before going to bed, get your pot out, put 3 cups of water in with a dash of salt and bring to a boil. Once boiling dump 1 cup of steel cut oats in there, and once it is back at a rolling boil, turn the heat off, cover and go to sleep. In the morning you will have perfectly cooked oats. Turn the heat on the burner for a couple minutes to warm it up and serve with whatever you normally do. (Yogurt, frozen blueberries, cinnamon, and a dash of sugar if it is race day for me). Pop the rest in a container (or pop what you aren't going to eat in the container before you re-heat it to speed the re-heat process) and eat it later. Microwave it if ya want less thought.
Simple. Easy. Once you empty the pot stick it in the sink full of cold water, when you come home from work, 2 minutes with the sponge and it is clean. Yes it does mean leaving a pot in the sink for the day, but that shouldn't be a stretch. And it is all about making it easier.
The article has some great points. I'd suggest reading it. The last paragraph in the Bittman piece today puts into words into my actions as of late.
heddwch
G
Mark Bittman has a great article up today
So many good points. The core problem about how cooking is stressful is somewhat sad. it can be stressful, but most of the stress is in just figuring out WHAT to cook.
Part of my week that I spent way to much time waiting in an office/lounge I picked up some of those magazines, Real Simple or Parenting or heck I don't remember what. I did manage to read most of the New Yorker Article on Jock and the Rwanda cycling team so it wasn't all food. But one "helpful tip" was to have the same breakfast every day. Seriously? Why not have the same dinner every night? How about the same lunch every day? Why bother with diversity... The tip's logic was doing the same thing reduced the stress and thought when you are just waking up. And yes, skim milk with a high protein cereal (still cereal) was one of their suggestions. I'd say if you're going to have the same thing every morning go with a hard boiled egg (make a weeks worth some time while you're screwing around on the internet or watching TV some time during the weekend). They are easy. Put them in a non-reactive pan, cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Once boiling turn the heat off and set the timer for 12 minutes. Rinse em with cold water and stick em in the fridge. Peel and eat. Done. No thought, simple. Cheap.
Another super simple breakfast that takes no time and if you're cooking for one or two makes some left overs for a day or two.
Before going to bed, get your pot out, put 3 cups of water in with a dash of salt and bring to a boil. Once boiling dump 1 cup of steel cut oats in there, and once it is back at a rolling boil, turn the heat off, cover and go to sleep. In the morning you will have perfectly cooked oats. Turn the heat on the burner for a couple minutes to warm it up and serve with whatever you normally do. (Yogurt, frozen blueberries, cinnamon, and a dash of sugar if it is race day for me). Pop the rest in a container (or pop what you aren't going to eat in the container before you re-heat it to speed the re-heat process) and eat it later. Microwave it if ya want less thought.
Simple. Easy. Once you empty the pot stick it in the sink full of cold water, when you come home from work, 2 minutes with the sponge and it is clean. Yes it does mean leaving a pot in the sink for the day, but that shouldn't be a stretch. And it is all about making it easier.
The article has some great points. I'd suggest reading it. The last paragraph in the Bittman piece today puts into words into my actions as of late.
What’s easier is to cook at every opportunity, to demonstrate to family and neighbors that the real way is the better way.Cooking is fun, it doesn't have to be crazy complicated to be good. It doesn't even have to be organic. Obviously that's the ultimate goal (as he says) grass-fed beef and locally grown potatoes, but if you can start with plain old beef and whole potatoes, well that's a huge departure from the fast food chains. Get your friends and family to do the same if they don't. Baby steps are the easiest. Slowly replace one packaged Item with one you make from scratch once a month maybe. Slowly, until you're overwhelming preparing everything yourself. If I can find the time...
heddwch
G
Saturday, September 24, 2011
wrecked IOW White Park Cyclocross Race Report
One race kicked my ass. Or maybe it was just the heat. Nick set up a great course, total New England Jungle cross complete with roots, rocks, buckets of turns and solid cyclocross features. It didn't have the flow for me that Quad cross did. I think maybe the reason was Quad had a decent mix of power sections between the technical stuff, this seemed a bit biased or split. power on one half and technical on the other.
I had trouble doing the whole power and ride technical lines (lack of mt biking probably).
I should have finished a bit better but I was a touch tired from the week and seem to be slightly stuffed up and kind of messed up the race day eating. Not enough to fully explain it all but wow it kicked my BUTT!
So hot. The humidity was insane and the temps were high. It's 80 right now down here. I started off with the glasses on, but they were fogging up after two laps and I ditched them at the S/F line. It helped at the start in the pack but after that they weren't needed and i was raining sweat from my helmet all over the bike. So hot.
I don't think a short sleeve skinsuit would have helped, the course was slow in enough sections with that level of humidity it was hard to get enough cooling.
No crashes, no mechanicals but hopefully my new shoes get here before G-ster and the monster run up because i'm just slipping out of them on the run ups.
Drive wasn't really all that bad and other than a possible tire vibration the car functioned quite well.
Time to clean up... the bike first maybe then me.
So tired. And as much as I want to punch nick in the balls for a brutal course that didn't suit me very well, it was a great race. Good venue and while we could have stood maybe another 10 guys in the field, over all the attendance worked perfectly with the park and the parking.
All good.
Next up, Gloucester.
heddwch
G
I had trouble doing the whole power and ride technical lines (lack of mt biking probably).
I should have finished a bit better but I was a touch tired from the week and seem to be slightly stuffed up and kind of messed up the race day eating. Not enough to fully explain it all but wow it kicked my BUTT!
So hot. The humidity was insane and the temps were high. It's 80 right now down here. I started off with the glasses on, but they were fogging up after two laps and I ditched them at the S/F line. It helped at the start in the pack but after that they weren't needed and i was raining sweat from my helmet all over the bike. So hot.
I don't think a short sleeve skinsuit would have helped, the course was slow in enough sections with that level of humidity it was hard to get enough cooling.
No crashes, no mechanicals but hopefully my new shoes get here before G-ster and the monster run up because i'm just slipping out of them on the run ups.
Drive wasn't really all that bad and other than a possible tire vibration the car functioned quite well.
Time to clean up... the bike first maybe then me.
So tired. And as much as I want to punch nick in the balls for a brutal course that didn't suit me very well, it was a great race. Good venue and while we could have stood maybe another 10 guys in the field, over all the attendance worked perfectly with the park and the parking.
All good.
Next up, Gloucester.
heddwch
G
Friday, September 23, 2011
Rainy Commute
I haven't really had many this year to be honest. It has been dry on the bike mostly.
Tonight it was wet. It was dark, but it was not cold.
And it was AWESOME!
Felt so good on the bike tonight, saw a frog (almost squished it), and a snake. I scared something that made a big hissing noise in the bushes at me. And a rabbit tried to run in front of me but then managed to turn and run parallel until veering off and back into the scrub.
Great night on the bike.
Tomorrow early I'm loading up the race wagon and heading north on 93 to Concord. Going to race just once this weekend. Just how the cards were dealt. G'ster will be both days and then Providence. Not sure I can swing the Wed Night races sadly.
And I probably should sit down and look at the rest of the season.
See those of you there. Going to be wet. And wet. lets see what kind of mud they have at White Park. I really hope it is compatible with the racing ralph tubulars.
heddwch
G
Tonight it was wet. It was dark, but it was not cold.
And it was AWESOME!
Felt so good on the bike tonight, saw a frog (almost squished it), and a snake. I scared something that made a big hissing noise in the bushes at me. And a rabbit tried to run in front of me but then managed to turn and run parallel until veering off and back into the scrub.
Great night on the bike.
Tomorrow early I'm loading up the race wagon and heading north on 93 to Concord. Going to race just once this weekend. Just how the cards were dealt. G'ster will be both days and then Providence. Not sure I can swing the Wed Night races sadly.
And I probably should sit down and look at the rest of the season.
See those of you there. Going to be wet. And wet. lets see what kind of mud they have at White Park. I really hope it is compatible with the racing ralph tubulars.
heddwch
G
Thursday, September 22, 2011
It is your Brain Dummy
Or I should say 'MY' brain.
VT weekend was a telling contrast. Day 1 with people, or people in sight. I still got passed by a couple in the end but I was pushing well beyond what I was doing Day 2 when post crash I wound up in no mans land, with no visual motivation. No one to chase or follow through the corners and no one behind, poof, my brain said - hah no way we can catch anyone, lets just pedal around and lose 3-4 minutes in two laps.
Article
Starting faster than is prudent in a TT actually seems to be good for me, puts me up where I mentally push myself. But the back of the grid full of the fastest guys over 35 not doing the Elite race, well it is daunting.
Gotta go back to Dave V's words from this summer. "You don't Suck." No, I don't suck and I am going to work harder at sucking less. Dog Gammit.
Gonna give it a try Saturday. There are lots of people who are headed to Burlington but I can't do that two weekends in a row. 2 hours is going to be tough but at least a 10am start means I can get back at a reasonable time.
Can't swing both days this weekend. And Suckerbrook really isn't much closer, although everyone will be there I've made the tough choice to race Saturday. That and I've been asked to cover for one of the guys at the shop on Sunday. So. It is tough to miss this year's edition of Jack and Justin's race but it looks like they've got quite a full registration.
heddwch
G
VT weekend was a telling contrast. Day 1 with people, or people in sight. I still got passed by a couple in the end but I was pushing well beyond what I was doing Day 2 when post crash I wound up in no mans land, with no visual motivation. No one to chase or follow through the corners and no one behind, poof, my brain said - hah no way we can catch anyone, lets just pedal around and lose 3-4 minutes in two laps.
Article
Starting faster than is prudent in a TT actually seems to be good for me, puts me up where I mentally push myself. But the back of the grid full of the fastest guys over 35 not doing the Elite race, well it is daunting.
Gotta go back to Dave V's words from this summer. "You don't Suck." No, I don't suck and I am going to work harder at sucking less. Dog Gammit.
Gonna give it a try Saturday. There are lots of people who are headed to Burlington but I can't do that two weekends in a row. 2 hours is going to be tough but at least a 10am start means I can get back at a reasonable time.
Can't swing both days this weekend. And Suckerbrook really isn't much closer, although everyone will be there I've made the tough choice to race Saturday. That and I've been asked to cover for one of the guys at the shop on Sunday. So. It is tough to miss this year's edition of Jack and Justin's race but it looks like they've got quite a full registration.
heddwch
G
Monday, September 19, 2011
New England Builders Ball
http://newenglandbuildersball.com/
Be there. Firefly says there will be a big surprise for those who are attending.
Check the builder list. Hot shot builder Mikey Z! will be there. As will the local boys from Circle A Cycles.
Friday night. 8-10pm is kind a late for us old racer types but maybe you'll catch a few old f'kers there.
Be there. Firefly says there will be a big surprise for those who are attending.
Check the builder list. Hot shot builder Mikey Z! will be there. As will the local boys from Circle A Cycles.
Friday night. 8-10pm is kind a late for us old racer types but maybe you'll catch a few old f'kers there.
Plastic Jesus
That was the meter for the ride in... I know I've posted it before, but that fan noise there, the percussion along with the banjo... maybe my chain was making an allusion to that sound this morning. I had meant to post it earlier today, but not until riding home did it click again and I started singing the song.
"Get your self a sweet Madonna..."
Goosebumps man. Goosebumps.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
