Spring can't arrive any sooner. After spending a normal amount of days on the bike for me as far as January is concerned, the same can not be said about February. The snow storm (s), cold temps and wind were enough ingredients to keep him indoors for most of the months. Only last weekend was I able to do some riding, and it hurt so much that this past Monday, while at work, the top of my body was heading in one direction, while my legs were going the opposite way.
Inconsistent riding is the trend so far and it seems like it will continue that way until probably late March because a family vacation is fast approaching. This can only mean that instead of shutting things down in early August as it's customary, maybe this could be a blessing in disguise, that's what I'm telling myself.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The end is near
January 28th was the last time I touched the bike until this past Friday. All the freaking snow we got halted the slow progress I was making into finding some sort of form and rhythm into my riding routine. But as the sun peaked through the clouds and the calls from Jose to "get on the bike", I finally made it to Hains Point, driving of course, since the trail is not rideable and will remain that way for the forseable future. Short story is that the legs and lungs took a vacation and weren't to happy about getting forced to work extra.
Wanting to continue the trend, I ventured out to the 10AM clock ride on Saturday, which turned out to be fun despite the melting snow, but it hurt towards the end. And today was the 8:30am on the pain menu. Mentally I tend to throw in the towl quicker than I should, but there's no reason to dig deep right now, when the tank is on empty and hurting myself will not do much good (at the moment). So I settled into a comfortable pace after not helping (not that I didn't want to help, the legs were just not responding) Dani close the gap on the group even though there were within reach. After regrouping, I was feeling a little better, but the only thoughts then were about lunch and again, the Meaurio's were kind enough to feed me, which is always great because of the food and the company.
Over on the pro scene, things are finally going with the "desert race" over and done and some of the old hands are at it again (McEwen, Petacchi). And some young whippersnappers are getting into the grove of things. Team SKY had a bit of a "fight" in their hands in Oman and the season gets under way proper this Sunday in Belgium. Wind, snow, and cold-miserable temperatures. The peloton will have to deal it with mother nature's fury for a while, but winter will soon be over.
Wanting to continue the trend, I ventured out to the 10AM clock ride on Saturday, which turned out to be fun despite the melting snow, but it hurt towards the end. And today was the 8:30am on the pain menu. Mentally I tend to throw in the towl quicker than I should, but there's no reason to dig deep right now, when the tank is on empty and hurting myself will not do much good (at the moment). So I settled into a comfortable pace after not helping (not that I didn't want to help, the legs were just not responding) Dani close the gap on the group even though there were within reach. After regrouping, I was feeling a little better, but the only thoughts then were about lunch and again, the Meaurio's were kind enough to feed me, which is always great because of the food and the company.
Over on the pro scene, things are finally going with the "desert race" over and done and some of the old hands are at it again (McEwen, Petacchi). And some young whippersnappers are getting into the grove of things. Team SKY had a bit of a "fight" in their hands in Oman and the season gets under way proper this Sunday in Belgium. Wind, snow, and cold-miserable temperatures. The peloton will have to deal it with mother nature's fury for a while, but winter will soon be over.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Hurting, just a little
Seems like the phrase to throw around is, "I'm in better shape than I was at this time last year." I can honestly say that I'm not, but that's no big surprise. Unlike Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), who's a bit worried after taking the winter seriously and his form is, you guessed it, better than it was at this time last year ("I am consequently a little afraid that the form could arrive too early. Therefore, I will make sure to rest"), my main concern at the moment is not to hurt too much. So far I haven't spent any quality time in the hurt box, since I tend to pull the plug these days as soon as the speed reaches 25mph.
Today I ventured to the Italian Store ride and found a couple of frisky riders to go out with. Small group of about 10 of us, who kept an interesting pace throughout the duration of the festivities. Nothing big to report other than I wasn't the first one to get dropped and even surprised myself that I hung in there. I find hills to be better (for me) than Hains Point. Once the "inmortals" get cranking at the noon ride, I don't stand a chance, even if I was in shape. But Thursday I will return to Hains to try and hang for four laps (last week's record was three) before having to make an appearance in the hurt box. Like Phillipe, I don't want my form to arrive too early.
Today I ventured to the Italian Store ride and found a couple of frisky riders to go out with. Small group of about 10 of us, who kept an interesting pace throughout the duration of the festivities. Nothing big to report other than I wasn't the first one to get dropped and even surprised myself that I hung in there. I find hills to be better (for me) than Hains Point. Once the "inmortals" get cranking at the noon ride, I don't stand a chance, even if I was in shape. But Thursday I will return to Hains to try and hang for four laps (last week's record was three) before having to make an appearance in the hurt box. Like Phillipe, I don't want my form to arrive too early.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Cold fashion
Since the temperature refuses to climb, it's another day of football, food and fun at home. The supreme leader is visiting a museum with a friend, so I had some time to scan the interent and found a couple of more team kits to review.
BMC's new attire is rather blend for my taste. They went from the predominaly black and white setup, to the red and black. Easy to spot I guess, but not much bang if you ask me.
A further search located the Futton-Servetto team colors. In my humble opinion, there's not much to say to the "artist" (Dario Urzay) other than, "that's art, huh". Those poor souls will have to wear that for an entire season, I can't wait to see the cars and buses.
Looks like Quick Step is going a little old school with the black shorts and that's cool, but they took a page from the Astana book and decided not to match their bike colors with the jersey colors. A no-no if you were to ask me.
BMC's new attire is rather blend for my taste. They went from the predominaly black and white setup, to the red and black. Easy to spot I guess, but not much bang if you ask me.
A further search located the Futton-Servetto team colors. In my humble opinion, there's not much to say to the "artist" (Dario Urzay) other than, "that's art, huh". Those poor souls will have to wear that for an entire season, I can't wait to see the cars and buses.
Looks like Quick Step is going a little old school with the black shorts and that's cool, but they took a page from the Astana book and decided not to match their bike colors with the jersey colors. A no-no if you were to ask me.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A week's review
Last Sunday I was at work looking at the weather forecast for the week. Since I was off but one day of said week, I was planning on getting a hefty amount of miles in the legs, but the thought quickly started to melt as the aforementioned forecast was looking to be in the "artic zone". One of my co-workers asked me if I was going to ride, and then I made up mind, "f#$% it, I will go out no matter what the weather is". Soon after I fired an email to my friend Dave in Texas, who was also not happy about temperatures the Lone Star State was about to embrace. I said, "if I ride Monday, then I'll ride Tuesday, and if I ride Tuesday, then I'll ride Thur and Fri"...that was it, I was in for the long haul...Monday and Tuesday came and went I was out there, getting dropped at Hains Point after only one lap of the noon ride. Wed I worked so no problem, Thursday I was back at the point, this time going a full three laps with the group. Then the snow came Thursday night and so did the National Championships and a late night watching Texas vs. Alabama and the consumption of several pictures of Shiner Bock and chicken wings, had me thinking otherwise about getting on the bike on Friday morning. No ride, but Dani managed to put the new fork on the spare bike, so some cycling was accomplished.
So far this morning (Saturday), I got up with the best intentions of riding, but soon I started to listen to the voice in my head telling me "it's too cold to ride"...the day is not over yet.
Switching topics for a bit, I tend to follow the pro scene here and there, and considering myself somewhat of a cycling fashionista, I couldn't help but vomit a little bit when I saw this. Come on, the kit color combination is just horrendous, but matching it to a red and black bike, someone in Kazakhstan is missing a sense of humor.
From the "don't drink the Kool-Aid your president is serving" department comes news that diminutive Venezuelan climber, Jose Rujano, is for real this time. I remember the same line when he broke his contract with Selle-Italia to join Quick Step (bad move), then when Caisse d'Espagne picked him up for almost nothing. So three strikes and you are out??...maybe, but he needs to stop visiting Hugo Chavez's Palacio de Miraflores and concentrate on riding and not talking.
Rabobank's Pedro Horrillo called it quits after riding 12 seasons and having survived a crash that put him in a coma during last year's Giro. Now he will dedicate his time to his family and writing.
As the pros are heading to the warmth of Southern Spain, South Africa or Autralia to get the tan lines going, the local bunch is bundling up and facing a pretty cold weekend. Nonetheless, as Jose explained to me this morning, "it's not that cold", that sounds just like when you hear,"we'll go easy". Maybe I'll go to Hains later and do a few laps, then again, I think the supreme leader may make some chili.
So far this morning (Saturday), I got up with the best intentions of riding, but soon I started to listen to the voice in my head telling me "it's too cold to ride"...the day is not over yet.
Switching topics for a bit, I tend to follow the pro scene here and there, and considering myself somewhat of a cycling fashionista, I couldn't help but vomit a little bit when I saw this. Come on, the kit color combination is just horrendous, but matching it to a red and black bike, someone in Kazakhstan is missing a sense of humor.
From the "don't drink the Kool-Aid your president is serving" department comes news that diminutive Venezuelan climber, Jose Rujano, is for real this time. I remember the same line when he broke his contract with Selle-Italia to join Quick Step (bad move), then when Caisse d'Espagne picked him up for almost nothing. So three strikes and you are out??...maybe, but he needs to stop visiting Hugo Chavez's Palacio de Miraflores and concentrate on riding and not talking.
Rabobank's Pedro Horrillo called it quits after riding 12 seasons and having survived a crash that put him in a coma during last year's Giro. Now he will dedicate his time to his family and writing.
As the pros are heading to the warmth of Southern Spain, South Africa or Autralia to get the tan lines going, the local bunch is bundling up and facing a pretty cold weekend. Nonetheless, as Jose explained to me this morning, "it's not that cold", that sounds just like when you hear,"we'll go easy". Maybe I'll go to Hains later and do a few laps, then again, I think the supreme leader may make some chili.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Last ride of 09
Today was probably the last ride of 2009, unless I manage to sneak a ride before the rain that is forecasted for tomorrow, although I'm not feeling too confident at the moment. Ever since the snow storm of two weeks ago, I hadn't manage any physical activity worth mentioning, although the supreme leader and I started to walk in the mornings. Plan is to incorporate some core workouts to the routine once the new year arrives, but I'm not making any promises.
So Hains Point today with a balmy 28 degrees and a group of about 10. I have no dreams of hanging in the noon ride for quite some time, but man, what an eye opener when the speed went violently from a perfect 18mph to 24mph, my body just didn't want part of it. Two laps was all I could do before settling to finish the hour by myself. Good thing the Ipod came along to keep company, otherwise Dani would have ridden home by himself.
As the year ends, looking back, it was a fun one. Got to travel with the bike, despite having a pretty ugly crash, nothing was severly damaged, and overall, I am happy with the miles and form I had throughout the year. No pro contracts arrived at my door, but not like I was waiting for them anyway. Now looking to 2010, the goal is to just have fun. No set training routine, no races (although July is an important month) to worry about, just ride, stop somewhere for a Coke and enjoy the scenery. Anything else is icing on the cake.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL!!!!
So Hains Point today with a balmy 28 degrees and a group of about 10. I have no dreams of hanging in the noon ride for quite some time, but man, what an eye opener when the speed went violently from a perfect 18mph to 24mph, my body just didn't want part of it. Two laps was all I could do before settling to finish the hour by myself. Good thing the Ipod came along to keep company, otherwise Dani would have ridden home by himself.
As the year ends, looking back, it was a fun one. Got to travel with the bike, despite having a pretty ugly crash, nothing was severly damaged, and overall, I am happy with the miles and form I had throughout the year. No pro contracts arrived at my door, but not like I was waiting for them anyway. Now looking to 2010, the goal is to just have fun. No set training routine, no races (although July is an important month) to worry about, just ride, stop somewhere for a Coke and enjoy the scenery. Anything else is icing on the cake.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL!!!!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
It's been a while
It's been a while since I wrote or rode my bike for that matter. The last time I swung a leg over the top tube was back on August second and since then I have just taken it easy. Well, not really. I, together with the "Supreme Leader" (the fiance), purchased a small townwhouse in Delray and have done nothing but spent money and done all the fun stuff that moving to a new house brings. But we are finally where we wanted to be, close to friends and more importantly, the bike trail.
Yesterday I finally gave in and even though I had a self impossed date to start riding again (Dec. 1, I couldn't pass the opportunity and so after calling Dani, we decided to head south to Mt. Vernon for an easy spin. It felt great to be back on th bike. The shoulder even though I took three months to rest it hurt half way through the ride and I am convinced now that I will ride with pain for the rest of my life. So be it.
A decision was reached during my hiatus and I will not be racing the local circuit next year. The only event I will probably take part in will be the Vuelta a Chiriqui Masters in July, if the event takes place. Other than that, I will do the usual rides on the weekends I don't work and ride at Hains Point the rest of the time. A trip out of state for some fun events may be added at the last minute, but no USCF sanctioned event are in my distant future. Things at work are not looking too promising for next year, so the hunt for a job has begun. Rumor has it that personnel may be downsized by the end of next, and I don't want to wait until zero hour to start the search.
Yesterday I finally gave in and even though I had a self impossed date to start riding again (Dec. 1, I couldn't pass the opportunity and so after calling Dani, we decided to head south to Mt. Vernon for an easy spin. It felt great to be back on th bike. The shoulder even though I took three months to rest it hurt half way through the ride and I am convinced now that I will ride with pain for the rest of my life. So be it.
A decision was reached during my hiatus and I will not be racing the local circuit next year. The only event I will probably take part in will be the Vuelta a Chiriqui Masters in July, if the event takes place. Other than that, I will do the usual rides on the weekends I don't work and ride at Hains Point the rest of the time. A trip out of state for some fun events may be added at the last minute, but no USCF sanctioned event are in my distant future. Things at work are not looking too promising for next year, so the hunt for a job has begun. Rumor has it that personnel may be downsized by the end of next, and I don't want to wait until zero hour to start the search.
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