An Evening with Jennifer (and Katy)

About 10 days ago, I was in need of a recovery spin so Jenifer and I dropped Collin off at soccer practice and drove over to the Katy trail for a just that. Jennifer had the benefit of gears, while I chose the s/s mtb. She rolled off a few minutes ahead of me and I found myself pedaling as fast as I could to catch her some 10 minutes later. (I guess her spinning classes are paying off.) After I caught up with her we pedalled for an hour and then buzzed back to pick up Collin. It was a perfect day for both of us and perhaps this could become a regular date??

Ready to Roll

Here's the re-painted Redline Conquest. Les at Powder Coat Specialists did the stripping and repainting and did an excellent job. Not a flaw to be found anywhere. The decals were created online at SpeedySigns.com and I took the liberty of choosing a font that appealed to me and not one that matched the Redline company font. I also must thank Dave Schindler at FitPro for putting the bike back together to meet all of my fitting specs. Dave took the time to get the single chainring set-up just right and I couldn't be happier with the results. As always, I have to thank Mark and Cody back at my home shop, Ballwin Cycles, for their help with the parts I needed and the deals they give me.

The bike weighs in at 19.3 pounds and features the following options:
Ritchey WCS full carbon fork
Cane Creek SCX-5 brakes with Kool Stop black/red pads
FSA Carbon Pro crankset with Salsa 42T single ring and Salsa chainguards
Crank Bros Twin Ti pedals
Dura Ace shifters
Dura Ace rear derailleur with VCRC ceramic pulleys
SRAM 12-27 rear cassette
Nokon cable housing
Ritchey WCS stem and bars
Fizik bar tape
FSA carbon seatpost
Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow saddle
Neuvation R28 SL3 wheels
Michelin Jet S rear / Michelin Mud front tire

This will most likely be the last time the bike is clean as it's time to start putting some training efforts in and the early season races will be dusty or muddy.

Not so Lost Valley

Had every intention of heading down to the TNW's last night to put in a hard effort workout. Wasn't planning to race as much as I was planning to do sprints and push some harder gears up the hill at pace. However, the need to help my daughter with her homework won over (rightfully so) and before long I was staring at a clock which read 6:30pm and knowing my chances at riding were dimishing quickly. I thought if I left immediately, I could get out to Greensfelder for a few quick loops on the race course for Sunday, but by the time I threw everything together, that idea was also a mirage.

So, as I organized my bike stuff I had the plan of heading out to Lost Valley and riding in the darkness with me, myself, and I. Luckily when I got home yesterday, I was thinking a little in advance and tossed the Light & Motion Arc Li-Ion battery on the charger. As I rolled into the parking lot at the Mound, I saw several GORC-sters changing and cracking open their post-ride bottles of hops. Envious, I continued to suit up, do a battery check, and roll down the Hamburg Trail for a little me time. As I descended into the trail, I used the waning sunlight to guide my way. However, as I crossed the creek and headed into the singletrack, I was quickly met with darkness. I flipped on the headlight and lit up the trails. I buzzed along for 45 minutes on the trails and decided to point back to the car. During the ride, I saw two very nice trophy bucks and a bazillion frogs. I even passed a rider going up the last hill. I went from feeling like no ride was going to happen to getting a great, albeit less than planned, ride in.

Dr. Strangecross (How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the 'Cross)

Mud, slop, ruts, roots, run-ups, barriers, sand pits, and stairs. Sun, rain, wind, snow, and ice. Gin, trombones, beer, frites, and cowbells. Those words conjure up wild images of pay-per-view excitement more akin to the likes of this Japanese Game Show than the real, fall/winter season Belgian-based spectacle that is Cyclocross.



Why did I choose cyclocross? Heck, like almost everything I've ever done competitively on a bike it's because of Pfoodman. Nah, he just mentioned it to me (over and over and over). More likely is the fact that I've always loved the fringe sports. No, I'm not talking trampoline, rhythmic gymnastics, or dressage. I'm talking real sports where skills are involved and subjectivity are eliminated. Sports were healthy doses of intestinal fortitude, addictions to pain, and embarrassment are very real possibilities. Cyclocross is one of those sports where you feel like the guys in the video. Their options for success look slim, but doggone they put forth the effort and they don't care if they survive or not. Participation isn't an option, but a calling or a duty. A duty to push your body and mind in a manner few others would dare. In the end, others may shake their head in wonder and ask, "what's the point?" Fellow crossers only you and I will know the real answer.

So, what's left to worry about. We'll never have any barriers in our Bubba Cross series that remotely resemble the ones in the game show. But then again wouldn't it be great if we did???

Happy Birthday RP!

You're a great Christian man and I'm proud to call you a friend! Happy Birthday!

Say What???

I don't know what the heck they're saying, but I'm certain is something along the lines of "Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark!"

Not much going on this weekend. More riding and this morning was 60 miles including the Big Shark team ride. Rolled with Theo down to BS and then met up with Damien and the rest of the gang for an easy paced ride. I guess that was good enough for me because I really never felt good the entire morning. I never felt like my lungs opened up and was working harder than normal when the pace quickened or the road tilted upward.

Right now, it's time to take the kids to Carl's for cheeseburgers and root beers. Seeing that I rode 60 miles this morning, I think I'll have the same.

An Hour in Hell

Fitness

After my strong build-up earlier this year, I was highly confident in a lot of my rides and races. Then the mid-year funk set-in, my confident waned, and my desire to ride and race seemed to evaporate overnight. I literally walked away from the bikes for a week and never gave them another thought. During that period, I also formulated a plan to take more time off the bike, focus on doing fewer races, and set some late season goals.

I'm now one month into my second half fitness and planning for upcoming events. Today is the "one month to go" date for the Hermann Cross Invitational and as I assess where I am at in preparation for the start of cross season, I'd say I'm right where I want to be. My legs and lungs are responding nicely and mentally, I'm starting to get into racing mode. Ah, racing mode. That 'mode' was a primary contributor to some of my mid-season malaise. So, I'm working on channeling my energy and truly racing when I need to race, not when I want to race. I guess I suffered from a little bit of the porch dog syndrome. You know, laying calmly on the front porch until a vehicle rolls by and then it's GO TIME!

As I train, I'm training my body and mind. Fitness will come in terms of how my body responds to efforts physically AND mentally. Responding to race choices and responding within races. I'm chasing fewer race choices and I'm responding to more strategic opportunities within races. I can't race every race and I'll only race within the race when it strategically suits my game plan. Most of you know this about bike racing already. I didn't. I tend to learn best by experience. In bike racing, experience is a dangerous and painful teacher.

So how's it going? Fitness is on track. During our last team ride, we were approaching the last 2 miles of the ride and there's always a sprint finish on this particular route. As I was riding front wheel in our group of 4, I was fighting back every urge to put the hammer down and push the guys to their redlines. However, Kent Jones was in our group and he's got some serious fire power. So instead of riding harder for the last 5 or so miles (which is what usually happens), I kept the pace down. Actually, I was testing myself. I was strategically riding easy and waiting for someone else to tire of the pedestrian pace and start the sprint. To my delight, I hear Kent say, "watch it, this is where Boz likes to attack." My plan was perfect. I had no intentions of attacking. I had every intention of ambushing. I continued to spin and they took the bait hook, line, and sinker. First attack, I didn't respond by staying at the front. I actually sat in the back. Only until I got on top of my gears and let the others attack did I proceed. When I was second wheel again, I attacked and succeeded. My patience actually paid off and as a result, my fitness grows.

A Little Bit of Everything

Yesterday's ride was a team ride on the Covered Bridge route. I really enjoy the route and use it as a gauge of fitness and training, as it has a little bit of everything tempo climbs, steep hills, false flats, rollers, and technical downhills. Of course, it's also what the route doesn't have (stop signs, stop lights, heavy traffic, too many homes, stores, buildings) that makes the ride appealing to me. When you throw in the awesome natural beauty of the valleys and ridgelines, it's just a great, great ride.

However, yesterday's ride also included a lost teammate and me getting hit by a car (or me hitting a car depending on your point of view.) The lost teammate was the result of him taking a wrong turn near the top of the first climb away from the bridge and resulted in two teammates spending the better part of an hour and a lot of climbing tracking him down. Unfortunately, this was his first ride on the route and he had no clue where he was or where to go. Thankfully, our two "search and rescue" teammates were diligent and found him and had enough gas in the tank to bring him back safely. The other four of us sped for home with the full intention of bringing the vehicles back to drive them home, but after a final phone call they decided to pedal their way back. They looked a little tired, but all survived without too much additional drama.

As the four of us sped for home, I was on the front as we started our descent out of High Ridge. As we dropped onto Hillsboro-High Ridge Road, I noticed a car further up the road backing out of their driveway onto the road. Sensing this car will be in our path soon enough, I sat up and waved to the group to slow and called out "car up." Once the car backed out of the drive and blocked the lane, they began to pull forward and then stopped again in the middle of the road. By this time, we were rolling slowly enough, but also not understanding why the car stopped again. I yelled out to the driver to "go" and she started moving (I don't think she saw us or the car behind us.) Unfortunately, she quickly stopped again and caused us to scatter to avoid a collision. Two riders made it around her left and thankfully there was no oncoming traffic while me and another rider tried to squeeze between the car and the ditch. I didn't make it and banged into her right rear tail light and rear quarter panel. No damage was done to her car (other than my sweaty arm leaving a streak of sweat on her black car), nor was my body damaged. My elbow was a little sore, but I knew I would be okay. I signaled "OK" to the driver, but shook my head in disbelief. She rolled along behind me and at the stop sign I fully figured she'd roll her window down to say "Sorry." Nope. Just rolled on.

I'm thankful God watched over us on our ride. Next time, I'll get everyone's cell numbers before we take off and we'll all just try to watch over each other.

Insight

I'm training, resting, and eating very well. I'm not racing road bikes the rest of the year. I'm not racing mountain bikes (with the exception of Burnin') the rest of the year. My next race will be the Hermann Cross Invitational on September 20th. I chased after too many race distractions this year and as a result I didn't have great results at anything, including my personal life. With all due respect to El Cavano, there is still time left for me to lay claim to the year as "my year."

I'm also dealing with some personal issues. While everything in my immediate family is good and all are healthy, I was thrown a major knockdown pitch last week pertaining to my brother. I'm really not prepared to write about it here and those close to me know what's going on. It's very tough to handle. I pray constantly and have asked others to pray for God's grace, mercy, and healing for the situation. While I'm better than I initially was, I'm still in shock. Little things can set me off and I'm reduced to tears. Riding the bike has been a good outlet for the pain of my heart. I simply replace it with pain in my legs or lungs. God will see us through this valley and in Him I put my faith and trust.

Commuting

I've dabbled with commuting to work by bike a few times. I enjoy it, but I also work in a suit and tie environment and our work facilities aren't equipped with showers and changing rooms. For the times I've ridden to work, my bike comes into my office (cubicle) and remains propped against the wall like a piece of art and a source of questions for all who enter. "What's that?" being one of my favorites.

While traveling with the family in Munich this summer, we noticed more bikers than motorists. Everyone, I mean everyone, rides a bicycle in Munich. Grandmothers in housecoats, businessmen in suits, children, families, dogs. Yep, we even saw dogs sitting prouding in the baskets while their owners pedaled merrily on their way. I'm thinking to myself why can't I do that? Why do I let some of the work inconveniences rule my life. No more.

I'm building up a full-time dedicated commuting machine. Complete with fenders, baskets, lights, funny handlebars, and one gear. A utilitarian machine. Something the likes of Ultra Scott's current machine. Laugh if that sort of thing is not your bag or if it looks too old-school but remember two things. My legs are getting stronger and I'm not the one burning $4 fuel.