King of the Mountain

Here's my cycling buddy, Scott Thompson, at the summit of the Col de la Madeleine. He recently climbed several of the Cols of the 2007 Tour de France route. His climbs included Cormet de Roselend, the Colombiere, the Courcheval Altiport, the Telegraph and Col du Galibier, and the Madeleine. While many of us watched on TV, Scott watched from the saddle of his bike as the kilometers peeled away and the roads rose towards the heavens.

Congratulations Scott and I hope you brought a KOM jersey home to celebrate your success in the mountains!

Riding is a Choice

I recently purchased this book. I'm intrigued by the story of Saul Raisin. Here is someone who was literally at 'death's door.' He has been given the blessing of a second life and he's making every effort to make it count for something. Here's a link to a quick story on Saul featured on Versus. http://www.daveshields.com/saulreviews.html If you get a chance, order one of the books from Dave Shields and help the cause.

As I think about Saul's story (and the story of so many others in similar situations) I think about how blessed I am to 'get to ride a bike.' Riding is an option, not a privilege. I know this first hand. My own daughter has cerebal palsy and deals life's challenges everday. Riding a bike is something the doctors said she'd most likely never do. She can. At this stage in her life, she chooses not to. (She lives vicariously through her father's on bike exploits.) Saul is dealing with some of the same issues as people with cerebal palsy. Their brains must 're-learn' or 're-wire' to account for the brain damage. This isn't something that happens overnight. Even when the body makes the accomodations, their are still minor difficulties to overcome.

Think about the opportunities you have the next time you're on your bike. Think about the struggles others must deal with daily. Consider the pain you're dealing with and how it would compare to a life of suffering. Seems to me the pain is a blessing during a ride because it makes us stronger and it's temporary.

The Elastic Has Stretched!

Monday nights mean the Mueller ride. It's been my weekly pain train. It's where I go to put some speed in my legs and push the aerobic envelope. Lately, I've had some really good rides there. Each week, I finish that ride feeling stronger and stronger. That's a good thing because I've been busting my a$$ to get myself ready for a two week layoff while I'm on vacation.

Tonight, we had a good turnout from the Pfoodman/Wapiti gang. All in we had 11 or 12 riders there. I had been reporting all day that I was riding with the fast group, but that we'd have more than enough folks for 'slower' groups. Unfortunately, we were a little less than organized at the start and as the pack rolled out, I decided I was going. If anyone wanted a taste of the fast life, it was time to roll. Some of my teammates missed the rollout. Sorry, about that guys. We'll get better as we get more in synch with each other's habits and desires.

In the 'fast group' the pace rolled along at 23-24mph or so. I was chatting with Dave Schindler and picking his brain for a few pack riding pointers while discussing his new shop Fit Pro. I told him I would most likely be calling on him for some fitting help with my bikes. The pack of 40 or so rolled along towards highway 94 and I was doing a good job of saving energy by staying out of the wind. As we approached the intersection about 12 riders made it through the intersection before a car came and split the pack. I got left at the intersection and thought, "crap, now I've got to sprint to catch the group!" I told myself not to panic and to actually attempt to bridge the gap. As I sprinted off at 30mph or so, I remember thinking "this isn't too smart and you're going to get caught in no man's land. Why didn't you stay with the pack instead of wasting all of your energy?" As it turns out, I didn't have to think too long as the rest of the pack came to my rescue (not their intent) and I was able to rejoin the main pack.

As we continued to roll, I recall thinking about previous pack rides and how it sucks sitting at the back because of the 'slinky effect.' I decided to move up to the top 10 or so and felt fairly comfortable there. We continued to press on and took the pace up to 28-29mph. As the pace quickened I worked harder to stay out of the wind and conserve more and more energy. I failed to wear my heart monitor, but I could tell I was feeling good and my legs and lungs felt fine. I kept counting down the miles and continuing my strategy.

As we hit the '3 miles to go' mark, I knew I was going to make it home just fine and started getting closer to the front to see what life up there was like. Again, I found myself with Dave Schindler. Dave and I were riding about 5 bikes back from the leader. He told me to get ready for the acceleration. This was with 1 mile to go. I decided, I would stir up some crap (just like I do with our team rides) and push the pace. So, while everyone was looking up the left side of the road and I accelerated up the right side. Directly towards some slower riders that the pack was overtaking. I rode myself right into a box. At this point, every rider was passing me like I was exiting a freeway. I slipped back in but was now 20-25 bikes back. Save the sprint, finish in the peloton.

It was my fastest 28 mile ride ever. I finished in 1h 7m for an average pace of 25mph. I felt great afterwards. I felt proud that I've been working so hard and sacrificing my legs so much. I just hope the vacation doesn't set me back too much. However, I do know I feel much better about how I've been training and my outlook on riding. It's been a good year. I just hope I finish it strong. I may not win any races the rest of my life, but I do know this....the elastic maybe stretching, but it hasn't snapped!

To Gear or Not to Gear

I rode the Chubb trail with several friends (old and new) on Saturday. The ride was organized by Loran Cavano, whom I met at the Matson races this past month. Loran advertised the ride as an easy paced ride at a beginner's pace. I decided it would be a nice change of pace to get off of the road rides and get out with 'El Cavano' and enjoy the trails. I also figured it was a perfect invitation to introduce the single speed Karate Monkey to Chubb Trail.

If you've ever ridden Chubb, you know the single speed experience should only be done by the experts. Well, I'm no expert, but I certainly am determined. I figured if the pace was going to be slower, it was perfect conditions for riding and pushing the Monkey up the steepest of hills. I discovered the ride wasn't too terribly difficult. I rode most of the first climb to just below the stairs. After remounting above the stairs, I rode the trail to just below the trail to the picnic table. I found that most of the trails weren't too steep, but simply too difficult due to the lack of traction or the considerable number of chopped up rocks.

After regrouping at the picnic table we descended into Tyson on the trail which lead directly away from the stairs. I hadn't ridden this section of Chubb and found the trail a treat to descend eventhough I was doing it on an unsuspended single speed. We regrouped at the pavillion at the Tyson end of the park. Afterwards we began our trek back to the top of the trail and the picnic table. I climbed all but one section of the trail and that was due to traction issues with some larger rocks. I've discovered the steepness of the trail isn't what kills you single speeding, as much as the surface. Larger rocks which tend to roll out from underneath your wheels are the bane of a single speed.

After another regrouping at the picnic table it was time to head for home and the cars. I rode out with my buddy, Dutch, and had an easy ride out. Overall, it was one of the harder days on a mountain bike that I'd had in some time, but I was quite pleased with my ability to ride over such demanding terrain.

Joining us on the ride was the legendary mountain biker and dietician, Stan Crocker, whom I've only read about on The Ralph Account (http://theralphaccount,blogspot.com); Christine Ford, a newbie to St. Louis, but a damn good rider and racer, Steve O'Neal, Dutch Oberle, Denny Huebner, Loran Cavano, Steve Smith, Pat Havermale, and a couple of other riders.

I'm thankful Loran organized the day and actually look forward to taking the Gunnar out next week to stay on the lead of the pack for the ride. Rides like this one are what got me into the sport. I enjoy the camaraderie and the fact that the egos are left at the trailhead. I also like it when the organizer shows up with PowerBar goodies for all of the riders!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not turning into a non-competitive softie. I still am preparing for the upcoming races with a vengence. However, if rides like this one would be my only option going forward, I'd be a happy man. Good trails, good weather, good health, and good friends.

Sometimes you just need to plow on

That's me on the right with Mike Shipman on the left. Dan Mogus and Phil Owen are attempting to break from the group just ahead. A short time after this photo was taken lets just say they were feeling strong legs. I obliged their spirits and finished the sprint in the lead. The group is good about jumping the pace up from time to time and generally, I'm to blame for causing it.

Sorry the posts have been non-existent lately. There's been a lot going on in my life. New job (same company) with a totally new role; my son turned 10 on the 4th of July; and we're trying to get the family ready to head to Europe for 2 weeks.

The good news is that I've been getting a lot of riding in. I mentioned last time that I had every intention of beating my body apart in preparation for some late season races. I think I've been doing a pretty good job of that so far. I've ridden with the team several times and offered up some muscles to the training gods. I know I spent one entire week feeling like someone had beaten my thighs with a ball peen hammer, so I guess I achieved my goal of taxing the $hit out of myself. I think it's paying dividends, too. I took on the Monday night speed ride and hammered the 28 mile loop in just over 1 hour and 15 minutes or an average speed of just under 23 mph. It hurt. But as John Cougar Mellencamp or John Cougar or John Mellencamp or whatever the hell he's called now sings, "It hurt so good!"

I'm also tackling the hills like a fourwheeler on methanol. I used to dread them, now, I have this insatiable desire to tear the asphalt or rocks off of any hill I see. They still hurt and I'm not ready for the polka dot jersey (although I own one for it's ironic value) I'm better on the hills.

I'm riding and just plowing onward.