A BLOGGER WITH NOTHING TO SAY

Training, but not racing. Not even any good group rides to report. Went camping last week with the family and several other families. Spent a ton of time on the road. Long relaxed paced rides. What most experts call base building, except I've been building base since January! Also, I'm not too sure that the grilled camping food along with copious amounts of "Mr. Daniels" in my coke did anything but set my fitness back a tad. Congrats to all the local riders on there results in Iowa City. Looks like several of you are really flying this spring. I hope to have something more (credible) to report in May. Because a blog with nothing to say is a waste of time! But then isn't it always? Ty

I PICKED A BAD WEEK TO RAMP UP MY TRAINING MILES

After seeing all the result pages on bike Iowa, I looked into the mirror and decided to get off the sidelines and kick the training up a notch. But I forgot to tell mother nature about my plans. So several days of rain, added with several long work days, adds up to more boredom hours on the rollers! I hate my basement! Maybe my next house won't have one, and i"ll have no place to ride rollers. I am still debating the actual fitness gains that may be had by riding them. I added in some early morning "hill repeats" at the local cemetery to break it up a bit. This was a good thing. Last cross season, the run ups were an Achilles heel. So the old adage of practice your week points was my plan. Running up a really big hill countless times only bolstered my conclusion that I'm way out of shape. Super glad that my desired race season doesn't start till September!!! Still, I gotta pick it up. Ty

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS

Been a while since my last post. Sorry. It's been a stressful week or so in my life. No need to get into any boring details, but riding the bike went way down the priority chain. Life can come at you fast. You are rollin along on smooth pavement with everything under control, and then POP! Next thing you know you're in your own version of a Dr. Phil show. In times like these you always find out who your true friends are. The people in that small circle in your life you can always count on. To all of you out there, and you know who you are, THANK YOU!!! After a ton of hashing things out, and making some of the toughest decisions of my life, things are moving back towards the normal side of life. And with that today I had time for a looooong ride. It was a tad chilly and as always I over dressed for it, but I just wanted to ride forever. It felt good. And as it always does in that therapeutic way, helped. After Kent park, the season is now in full swing. I am way behind on the training curve, and that's o.k. for now. The way the other guys on the team are flying this spring, it won't take long just holding onto the tail of training rides to get back into shape. Thank you again for all the prayers and words of encouragement sent my way this week. They were received and heart felt! Ty

GREAT DAY FOR A GROUP RIDE (but i got dropped)

The first part of getting faster, is showing up! By this I mean, you have to show up to the bike races, or group rides. Even when you know that showing up is going to be rough on the ego. That is what I did today on the team Sunday ride. Even with the miles starting to add up in the training log, there have been very few major efforts yet this season. I had heard the gossip, that some of the guys on the team are already flying. Bishop even had a strong 2nd place showing at the first Conn Day race of the season (nice going). So just holding onto the tail today would have been reward enough. THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN. I got dropped early and often! The few glimmers of good form were book end by gasps for any available air, and me flailing all over my bike, while watching the group pull away. It's a sinking feeling loosing the draft, and seeing the group leave you for more "time trial" practice. For those of you that have never felt the suck of going backwards, good for you! For the rest of you, just keep showing up. Eventually "they say" you get better. Just cuz it's not working for me, there still might be hope for you.........Ty

CAN YOU SPORT A SUNGLASSES MIRROR AND STILL BE COOL?

My poll question of the week. If you wear a mirror on your person, or hang one off your bike, can you still be in the "cool" bike racer club? I have a friend who has a trucker sized mirror on his otherwise beautiful Felt road bike. It looks out of place, and ruins the lines of the bike. But he swears by it, and feels much safer while riding with it on. So if you feel more comfortable with it, and it helps you ride your bike more, isn't that a good thing? I also began thinking, will this rearward looking appendage really make a difference when the pickup truck shoulder brushers come calling? Yes you'll know there coming, and when to flinch, but that's about it. This summer one of my goals is to ride more with my oldest son. So in an effort to be more aware of traffic, I bought a mirror that attaches to my glasses. On a few of our 2 up rides, I have used it, and was quite impressed as to how it worked. So much so that I have even used it on several of my solo rides. I have to admit that the "style factor" goes way down, and there is no way at all to make it look good. I will never be able to wear it in large groups. As my fragile ego would never hold up to the torment. So if you see me all decked out euro style pretending to be the player that i'm not, the reminder to you will be hanging from my glasses. The good news for most of you is that i'll probably never see you behind me in said mirror. But if I do..............Then chances are, you have one on too!!!!!! Ty

A GILLIGAN 3 HOUR TOUR

A three hour single speed tour today of the surrounding gravel roads. Started off smooth, but as the day warmed up into the 30's, the edges began to soften up. So by the end of the journey, MUD was the name of the game. The new fenders are now paying dividends big time! The other problem, is that county road crews have been out in full strength re-graveling all the area farm roads. While I'm sure the farmers and country dwellers are thankful of this, my cross bike with the 34mm tires and no suspension was all over the place (or maybe just my handling skills). With one gear and new "mushy" gravel, some of the hills were massive undertakings. But not one car passed me the whole time! That and the new wool socks I got, made for warm tootsies and some fun spring base miles. I am getting the itch for a good group ride. Anyone with the same thought, give me a ring. Extended forcast for the weekend is for 50's! Ty

RE-RUN GETS READY FOR THE TOUR

Re-run (Thomas) and I are heading for the tour this summer! Well TOMROV anyway. With 3 months to get ready, he is doing his part to be in ride shape. The weather outside has been for the dihard riders only. So his base miles are being put in on the trainer. I'm impressed with his moxy so far. As all riders know there is nothing that drains motivation more than slogging away on a trainer in the basement. Thanks to Greg at Harper's, a new shorter stem has made the bike fit as good as can be expected on a hand-me-down frame. I'm trying not to be Earl Woods and start touting him as the next "Tiger" of the sports world. Just a dad and his son spending 3 months training together, so they can enjoy a weekend of bike riding in June. He'll have pleanty of time to get ready for the real tour next year! Ty

NEW TRAINING GROUNDS

Hiked some double track today, and it looks prime for good cross practice when conditions go dry. I've been in the hunt for a much longer training trail. The few local parks that I used last year are good in a pinch, but circle after circle can get a bit tedious. I'm trying to connect some trails that I use with gravel roads, or just one big off road circuit. The goal is an hour or even better lap. If I do find the "magic" course is anybody out there interested in a LONG DISTANCE cross race??? Like the Iron Cross in Pennsylvania, or the Three Peaks cross race in England. Maybe a 2 plus hour mass start cross race. Don't know, still looking, could be fun. I don't want it to be just a gravel race (we have plenty of those), or a single track mtb race, so that's the challenge. But I think I can find it given some effort. Let me know your thoughts. Ty

FIRST "OUTDOOR" RIDE OF THE YEAR

So heavy my truck might have trouble towing her.

Not pretty, but very effective at keeping me dry.

Missed the great temps yesterday, and was not about to do the same today. A solid two months off the roads has "I think" finally broke my burn out funk from last season. I once again could not wait to turn peddles. With road conditions a pot hole mine field, and puddles and road grime in full swing, I opted for the lead sled of my stable. My single speed, a Greg Harper classic, is the Frankenstein of bicycles! The family tree of this bike splits from untold whereabouts. Countless hours of dumpster diving and rummaging through the "vast" Harper back room inventory have gone into her creation. Ugly, Heavy, one gear, but also indestructible and reliable, and I love riding her! Forgot what headwinds felt like, and what happens to thighs when the road points upward. So it was good to get the first ride out of the way. With daylight savings just around the corner, the group rides are not far behind. Ty

LET IT SNOW

4 new inches of snow. What's a bike rider to do? Clip into the snow shoes and forget about race fitness on the bike for a while longer. That's what I did today, and the snow was great. Spent yesterday in Salt Lake City, UT looking at the mountains and all that snow. People kept coming into the airport loaded to the gills with ski totes. All of them heading to skiers heaven. So I returned today to the tourist destination of Andalusia, IL , and the grand trails of Loud Thunder Forest Preserve. Not quite the same, but I did have the trails all to myself. Still not sure how this winter cross training is going to transfer to the bike, but i'm having way more fun. Looks like there are some early season race testers in March so we'll see then. Tomorrow it is off to Atlanta for a few days. Taking the running shoes, maybe a head start on the tan lines to go along with my wind burn...... Ty

I'M NO ANSEL ADAMS SO GO OUT AND SEE IT FOR YOURSELF

Bridge crossing under the lake George spill way

Barrier training for next cross season

run up after run up

Whitetail deer power bar

"Moderate" in the summer, not with calf high snow to tromp through.

The trail snakes along the Andalusia Slough

My new training partner, Faster than even Wiford!!!!


These pictures do little justice to my newly found off season training grounds. It was easy for even a sinner like me to feel blessed on this very crisp morning! I could go all granola on you and talk about getting close to nature, but I won't. Just do yourself a favor and get off the trainers and take a field trip away from your training journals and watt meters. The weather man is calling for warmer temps this weekend, and for the first time since being a kid I will be just a touch sad to see the snow melt. The snowshoes and poles will be put away, and the base miles will soon begin. But this off season I can truly say I "cross trained" off the bike and loved every minute of it..... Ty

ESKIMO IN TRAINING

As I was wasting an hour on my rollers a week or so ago, I decided that enough was enough. If it is going to stay cold and snow every other day, then I'm going to be an Eskimo in training! The gravel roads have lost some of there luster, so I have graduated to Loud Thunder Forest Preserve and there endless trail system. Out come the snowshoes and ski poles and "tada" I'm Grizzly Adams. No clue as to how this will make the pedals turn faster come the thaw, but I don't care. My season doesn't start till September anyway! 2 hours on the trails goes by in a snap. I return to my truck totally thrashed and grinning from ear to ear. Something that my rollers have yet to do for me. There are some awesome views along the river, and the eagles are out in force this year. I'll try and take the camera on my next romp. Until then. Ty

PEANUT GALLERY

I have been wasting time on this blog for over a year now. I was under the assumption that I was doing this for my own amusement ( easy to do ). Anyone actually stopping to read this embarrassment to journalism, really does need to get out and ride there bike more! So imagine my surprise when on my last few posts, I started getting "comments". Somebody out there in cyberspace is interested in what I'm doing and has taken the time and shown great courtesy in responding. If I had an ego (lost it years ago in a crit somewhere) it might have grown a tad. But then I read these comments, and who they were from. It seems my very own teammates are the culprits of these slanderous statements. It looks as if it is there belief that my path of off season training is lacking in intensity. My no show at the Friday night roller sessions in some way will affect my performance come the July sprint fests at our Tuesday night world championships! They are questioning my team spirit due to my no show at any of the roller races. At this time, all I can do is assure them that my fitness is on track (a slow one). Also I do plan to show the team colors at some of the early season races. Even if these colors are YELLOW and BLACK just like almost every other Iowa team out there!!!! So even though I haven't driven 6 hours round trip to race 7 minutes on rollers, don't count me out yet! I just might surprise you on that first stop sign sprint...... Ty

HIGH ALTITUDE TRAINING

At the Summit 600 ft above sea level

Miles and miles of this out my back door

High altitude make your glasses too big!!!!!

Scared myself with all that self pitty, and failure talk last post. So went on a "high altitude" run/hike in the lower Rock Island county mountains. I only live 3 miles from Snow Star ski area, and the endless rolling gravel roads just out my back door are going to be my training grounds for this season. Don't have a reason as to why I don't take advantage of them more. I guess no traffic, great scenery, and challenging terrain is not my thing. But this year the Surly is gunna be the work horse, and the 600 ft Andalusia mountain range will be my domain. Hope my hematocrit stays below UCI standards!

TWO THINGS BAD ABOUT SUCCESS

January now over, I look into the training log to critique my effort, and all is good. Real good to be exact! Ten pounds lost, all weekly training hours met, not one sick day, and motivation going forward is good. But with success comes questions. Can I do it again next month? Will I gain 9and 1/2 lbs back in February? I reached thoes goals rather easily, am I doing enough to progress? Do I need a new bike? (this is always a question even when I suck) ! Success breeds the desire to be even more successful. A few good race results this last fall and the desire to not be last anymore is all the stronger! This ties into enough never being enough. Last year I did this much and I improved. So if I do this much MORE i'll be so much more gooder! Last years bike was an improvement over the previous on, but if I get a lighter wheel set.....who knows. So today I dropped off my taxes to my accountant and asked if my return was going to be a composite size one? He said more like steel or aluminium. So then I went to the all you can eat chinese buffet. If the new bike is gunna be heavy, why not the rider?

ANOTHER REASON I HATE ROLLERS

The end of January in sight, and my mediocre training plan is "on schedule". I have found it easier this year to have low standards and succeed rather than looking at my training log with disgust all the time. So as I start to map out my summer goals, I realize that I better put the running shoes away and get back on the bike. I got out the rollers for an easy re-introduction to my bike. As I start to spin I begin to hear a "tick tick tick tick" every time the front wheel goes around. I get off and spin the wheel by hand and NOTHING! Get back on the bike, start spinning, and "tick, tick, tick, tic," WTF!!!! I'm checking the usual suspects, computer magnet, brakes, loose spoke, NADA. This goes on for a while with plenty of F-bombs to do the trick. Then just as i'm ready to sell everything on e-bay and take up quilting, the phantom "tick" goes away and has not been heard from since. So all the rollers did on this day is show me that not only are my riding skill at a cat 4 level, but my mechanical skills suck as well. Is there AAA for bicycles? Cuz i need it!

BELOW ZERO - STIR CRAZY - OUTSIDE AT ANY COST

The last several days have been brutal cold. After several days on the rollers, and even an attempt to mix things up with a aerobics tape down stairs, I had to get out! So yesterday in total artic garb, we were out the door for a gravel road hike. Day one was not so bad for an hour, so today with slightly warmer temps, we went for a solid 1:30. That little sting on the cheeks was a perfect pick me up. It's amazing what a little fresh air can do for attitude. Also last weekend, I began a total tear down and major cleaning of all bikes. This would not be so bad if I did it more often, but I don't, so it was. The road bike is showing the miles, but she is going to have to pull her weight for a couple more seasons. Tommy is going to ride my old cross bike this summer. So road tires are on, and the seat lowered ready for the first spring like day. Handing a bike down to Re-run, has given me room in my stable for a new cross bike next year!!!!! I even have the team manager o.k. on this one, so the search is on for cool rides. Don't worry all, what in my dreams is titanium and composite, will end up next race year being steel and heavy! But just with a newer shine. Take my advice and get off the trainer and get outside. It may not help my form come memorial day, but it sure is better than staring at basement walls! Ty

MY TEAMATE IS A NEW BLOGGER

Chad Bishop has a new blog site up, so check it out. This new blog will help all the IL/IA racers keep track as to how Chad is doing as a "CAT 3" racer!!!!!!!! Because i'm sure Santa had to have made that change on his brand new 2008 licence! Didn't he?

I DON'T BELIEVE IN RESOLUTIONS, BUT MAYBE I SHOULD

One full bag of Doritos is not in here!

If you don't own a pair of these "good for you"

I have never made a new years resolution that I can remember. Sure I have had things that I've wanted to accomplish in the coming year, but never a bonified commitment to see something through. I think the main reason I shy away from them is my inevitable breakdown and failure in said task. Some past goodies in this area are as follows: Diet soda! (at least it's diet), I quit weekly and still drink it by the truck load! Learn to speak Spanish. Just got back from a trip to Mexico last week, the shoe shine man at the airport spoke better English than I could "spanglish"! And my numero uno every year, quit cussing like a sailor. Anyone who knows me can vouch that this f@#&ing hasn't ever come close to happening! Yet it is healthy to try and better ones self. So with that as my mantra, I set in place a "plan" not a resolution, to not be the fattest rider in the peleton this spring.

The first part of this has been the implementation of RUNNING into my training during the off season. Any of you riders out there that have not sucume to this illness good for you. I am positive that the pain I receive on my pitiful sub-turtle pace runs do my fitness little or no good. The only gains are that I love my bikes all the more. The second and maybe the most eye opening part of my plan has been the counting AND documentation of my daily calorie intake. As I did a small amount of research before starting, the experts say to loose weight you must only consume in the area of 1500 to 2000 calories PER DAY. The first several days I was shocked to realize that I had been inhaling 30,000 calories per day. Who knew that a complete large pizza in one sitting could hide that many calories? I am doing everything in my power to keep the count under 2000, but when you have eaten as rotten as I have for a lifetime, well....... Needless to say being hungry all the time sure hasn't helped my f@#&ing cussing, and my diet soda intake is on the rise (zero calories). Is being skinny worth all this? Will My health be better at the cost of enjoyment of life? You don't have to answer, by next month i'll be back to my pizza for breakfast eatn self. Ty

SEASON OVER.... LET THE OFF SEASON BEGIN

After a couple days off to lick my wounds, my goals for next year are starting to manifest. I'm going to try to stay off the bike for the month of January. Not wanting to gain 50 lbs in a month, I have purchased a pair of running shoes. I can't tell you how painful it has been to walk out the door and try to JOG for any amount of time limit that can be considered constructive. Every uphill run this season proved that my skill in this area are week. Not quite as bad as my technical skills, but still in need of improvement. Time wise running is much easier. Plus with the travel of my job, the shoes fit better than the bike in my suitcase. I'm hoping the layoff the bike and my hatred of running will give me some motivation for a fresh start come spring. Everyone have a wonderful and safe Christmas season, and success in all your off season training goals. See you all in 08! Ty