No rain but the wind was blowing a gazillion mile per hour. Mel, Gillespie, Sam, Giselle and I start in the 40 person B group. The A's are about the same until the end of the 1st lap and people of flying off back and coming in with us.
Some of them only last one lap with us?
We get Sam off the front in 7-8 person break in lap 2. It sticks to the finish. After pulling and pulling G and decide to attack and bridge up at the end of lap 3? There are only about 20 riders left. After 4 successive attacks and help from Mel, G is away. I can't quite hang. I look back and only 2 guys behind me. Tthey come by and jump on. They are getting us closer to the 3-4 person group G is in but soon can't pull and look to me. I am not going to take them up to my team mates so I successfully attack. Now it is a solo attempt to bridge. I get closer very slowly going 'all out' for more than 10 minutes. I just can't make it stick.
Sam finishes in first selection and G the second....we are all smiles and exhausted.
Power file says this was more intense than Tour de Moore! WOW.
Hope you can get out soon!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
SCTAC
Looks like possible thunderstorms Tuesday night. Teenie and I may workout earlier?? We're not fair weather but we need a serious BT Workout on Tuesday. Waiting until 6 to encounter thunder and lightening might not be prudent.
We will look at forecast early in the AM and make a call. I will put our plans in COMMENTS to this post by 9AM tomorrow.
We will look at forecast early in the AM and make a call. I will put our plans in COMMENTS to this post by 9AM tomorrow.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Masters Nationals.... Take note.....
See the following post on USA Cycling.... Sign up starts June 4th ... course maps and schedules are on this site.
http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=4764
http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=4764
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tour de Moore......
JUST ONE PAUSE, HESITATION, REDLINE……will cost you dearly……
Randall and I, lined up this morning at 8:15 with some the biggest “dogs” of the southeast Masters (40+) cycling circuit…… LeDuc, Blackington, Canon, Johnson, Humphreys, Ruscoe, Moore, Mead, etc etc….. ( I think Randall was the 3rd oldest and I was like the 7th….. well at least of the finishers)
But nothing… and I mean nothing had prepared us for what was to be a blistering pace. 80 started only 55 finished the 2 lap race of 54 miles……..
The course basically rolls down for the first 12 miles……… before a slow long ascent culminating with, what we thought, was a slight 2 mile climb back to the Start/Finish…….. were we wrong….. well not exactly ....more on that later.
Whistle and we are off….. within seconds we are pushing the big chainring and the 12 tooth cog elbow to elbow, hip to hip with 80 very determined cyclists spread entirely across the road going 30+ mph…….
You know how most races start with a bang and the pack tries to rid itself of the riff raff and then backs off and settles down……. no settling down was in the cards for today…….
I told Randall that we needed to be near the front at the finish of the lap as it would go on the climb, and if need be, we could drift back and stay in contact…… that was the plan…. the execution, however was something different….
We spent considerable effort in fighting our way up through the pack… which was next to impossible and so at about the 13 mile mark I made a move up the outside going up a climb finding myself doing such a good job that I ended up creating a break of 4 riders… another 4 riders were off the front and we started to reel them in, but in the end the peleton saw that this would not be good and shut us down …. bad move on my part as I was redlined with only 2 miles to go before the climb up to the start/finsh….. calm down… settle in…. relax…..
I see Randall and once again tell him to move up….MOVE UP!...
We bottom out at the small creek, and pass the horses who look at us with perked ears shaking their heads at the stupidity of MAN…..
LeDuc, Canon, Johnson are moving up the right going the front….. I see LeDuc out of the saddle….too far back…….. this is it…… a 3 tier climb…..not steep at all…….. “actually not much of climb” ( I think that is what Randall said …. well before the race)….. The pack of something less than 80 is being strung out ….. we are too far back….. relax….. spin…spin……. still in the big ring as we are going up the climb at 25mph….. lactic acid burn in the quads….stay in contact…… where’s Randall…. he must me right behind me….. go… go……. gaps forming…… go…go…… around the bend up the final rise……… Morgan is coming back…… I go around….. gap in front of me…. only 15 ft to the next rider…. the pack is strung out up ahead………crest the hill……..…….heading down for 100yards to the hard right hand off camber turn (remember the man hole cover)….. roll through the turn ……the pack is already over the rise…. out of the saddle … chase …. chase………. 40 yards to bridge…… in the drops .. pick up 2 riders we collectively chase…… losing ground…….. pick up 3 more riders …. .chase…. chase…… in the drops giving it all we can….rotating pace line…… we now have 9 guys….. only 5 working….. not too smooth……. chase ….. chase …. losing ground……
look at my watch…… mile 36….. chasing now for 9 miles and the pack is still a quarter to a third of a mile ahead (we have been averaging almost 27mph and could not close the gap)….. our group of 9 is down to 7….. 5 of us doing a rotating paceline……….. losing ground with each mile ....
I am thinking how many were there ahead….. 40? 50?? Bad day…….. Funny how you can just blow a whole race in a 4 minute climb……. By the way…..no climb is easy when being raced……….especially as the defining moment of the race…. how deep can you dig, when it counts.......
As the 7 of us settled down into a more comfortable paceline, I look over my shoulder to see if there is a pack behind us that will reels us in……. but just road…… just empty blacktop…… we do a gentleman’s sprint (meaning we all spin in together across the finish line) actually they slowed up and let me cross it first….maybe it was respect for doing my share and being the oldest of the bunch……. or maybe just too tired to bother with another rotation of the cranks........
I head down the road and come back after a short spin to watch the others come in… and here comes the next group with Randall sprinting in about 4th position for the line……….
He, like me, got gapped on the climb to the Start/Finish and he thought he was OK as there were riders around him and he could see me 3-4 bike lengths ahead…. he paused to catch his breath before the right hand turn, dove through the turn, and looked up and we were gone………….
We both had great efforts….. I did end up in 11th for the 50+, but only 35th overall (disappointed no matter we were racing with 40 yr olds, you have to race whoever is in your race)…… Randall was 18th (I think)……..
Epic day…… Very, Very Fast……..
One pause, One hesitation, One redline at the wrong time………. that is the difference.
Randall and I, lined up this morning at 8:15 with some the biggest “dogs” of the southeast Masters (40+) cycling circuit…… LeDuc, Blackington, Canon, Johnson, Humphreys, Ruscoe, Moore, Mead, etc etc….. ( I think Randall was the 3rd oldest and I was like the 7th….. well at least of the finishers)
But nothing… and I mean nothing had prepared us for what was to be a blistering pace. 80 started only 55 finished the 2 lap race of 54 miles……..
The course basically rolls down for the first 12 miles……… before a slow long ascent culminating with, what we thought, was a slight 2 mile climb back to the Start/Finish…….. were we wrong….. well not exactly ....more on that later.
Whistle and we are off….. within seconds we are pushing the big chainring and the 12 tooth cog elbow to elbow, hip to hip with 80 very determined cyclists spread entirely across the road going 30+ mph…….
You know how most races start with a bang and the pack tries to rid itself of the riff raff and then backs off and settles down……. no settling down was in the cards for today…….
I told Randall that we needed to be near the front at the finish of the lap as it would go on the climb, and if need be, we could drift back and stay in contact…… that was the plan…. the execution, however was something different….
We spent considerable effort in fighting our way up through the pack… which was next to impossible and so at about the 13 mile mark I made a move up the outside going up a climb finding myself doing such a good job that I ended up creating a break of 4 riders… another 4 riders were off the front and we started to reel them in, but in the end the peleton saw that this would not be good and shut us down …. bad move on my part as I was redlined with only 2 miles to go before the climb up to the start/finsh….. calm down… settle in…. relax…..
I see Randall and once again tell him to move up….MOVE UP!...
We bottom out at the small creek, and pass the horses who look at us with perked ears shaking their heads at the stupidity of MAN…..
LeDuc, Canon, Johnson are moving up the right going the front….. I see LeDuc out of the saddle….too far back…….. this is it…… a 3 tier climb…..not steep at all…….. “actually not much of climb” ( I think that is what Randall said …. well before the race)….. The pack of something less than 80 is being strung out ….. we are too far back….. relax….. spin…spin……. still in the big ring as we are going up the climb at 25mph….. lactic acid burn in the quads….stay in contact…… where’s Randall…. he must me right behind me….. go… go……. gaps forming…… go…go…… around the bend up the final rise……… Morgan is coming back…… I go around….. gap in front of me…. only 15 ft to the next rider…. the pack is strung out up ahead………crest the hill……..…….heading down for 100yards to the hard right hand off camber turn (remember the man hole cover)….. roll through the turn ……the pack is already over the rise…. out of the saddle … chase …. chase………. 40 yards to bridge…… in the drops .. pick up 2 riders we collectively chase…… losing ground…….. pick up 3 more riders …. .chase…. chase…… in the drops giving it all we can….rotating pace line…… we now have 9 guys….. only 5 working….. not too smooth……. chase ….. chase …. losing ground……
look at my watch…… mile 36….. chasing now for 9 miles and the pack is still a quarter to a third of a mile ahead (we have been averaging almost 27mph and could not close the gap)….. our group of 9 is down to 7….. 5 of us doing a rotating paceline……….. losing ground with each mile ....
I am thinking how many were there ahead….. 40? 50?? Bad day…….. Funny how you can just blow a whole race in a 4 minute climb……. By the way…..no climb is easy when being raced……….especially as the defining moment of the race…. how deep can you dig, when it counts.......
As the 7 of us settled down into a more comfortable paceline, I look over my shoulder to see if there is a pack behind us that will reels us in……. but just road…… just empty blacktop…… we do a gentleman’s sprint (meaning we all spin in together across the finish line) actually they slowed up and let me cross it first….maybe it was respect for doing my share and being the oldest of the bunch……. or maybe just too tired to bother with another rotation of the cranks........
I head down the road and come back after a short spin to watch the others come in… and here comes the next group with Randall sprinting in about 4th position for the line……….
He, like me, got gapped on the climb to the Start/Finish and he thought he was OK as there were riders around him and he could see me 3-4 bike lengths ahead…. he paused to catch his breath before the right hand turn, dove through the turn, and looked up and we were gone………….
We both had great efforts….. I did end up in 11th for the 50+, but only 35th overall (disappointed no matter we were racing with 40 yr olds, you have to race whoever is in your race)…… Randall was 18th (I think)……..
Epic day…… Very, Very Fast……..
One pause, One hesitation, One redline at the wrong time………. that is the difference.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Ironman 70.3 New Orleans...Racing in the wake of Katrina
I have a love/hate relationship with large events, much like the love/hate relationship I have with New Orleans herself, a city where I worked frequently over a 5 year span following the millennium. I love the competition, energy, professional organization and pageantry of large races, but I find the crowds and logistics, especially for point-to-point triathlons, to be more of a challenge than the race itself. New Orleans, at least on the surface, has recovered from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina that I witnessed first hand on my last visit to the Crescent City, two months after the storm.
Sunday morning, 4:00 a.m....I strike out from the race host hotel outside the French Quarter as the buses line up to ferry athletes to the start line and T1. Since I will be bolting for the airport immediately after the race (almost a 4th event), I have checked out of the hotel and piled my gear in a rental minivan. As I skirt the French Quarter, making my way over the 5 miles to the start line, I am diverted into the Quarter by the first of several unanticipated road blocks. Suddenly I find myself in bumper-to-bumper taxi lines and surrounded by mobs of inebriated partiers. I crawl forward, escaping the Quarter only to find myself lost in a neighborhood where a guy dressed in Team headstrong kit and driving a minivan is way conspicuous. Back on track, I arrive at the start and set up my transition before the shuttle bus brigade arrives.
7:40 a.m....The wind that had been building for a week out of the north, and fetching across the 24 mile surface of Lake Pontchartrain, has created significant chop on the southerly lee shore from which we start the swim...I position myself to the far right and get an excellent start as the gun goes off sending our wave of athletes running down the beach and hopping into the water before dolphin diving out to swim depth. We are slammed by the chop as we funnel out past the breakwater and make a left turn. With the chop coming from the right, I am forced to breathe to the left in order to avoid swallowing the questionable lake water ("Dude, you're swimming in Pontchartrain??? Whatever you do, DON'T SWALLOW THE WATER" said my friends...) Sighting becomes very difficult and several athletes swim off course....Shortly before the turn-around buoy I am cut-off by a rescue kayak towing in 3 athletes who were beaten by the rough water...I turn and head back, forced now to breathe on my off side, but feeling good...
I race through T1, setting a PR for swim/bike transition and make my way out onto the bike course...the race directors had warned us during the mandatory race briefing that the first 3 miles were "a little rough", but they didn't tell us it would be Paris-Roubaix..."pop-bam", "pop-bam"...my TT bike complains as it slams over the pot-holes and broken pavement..."pop-bam-SQUEAK", "pop-bam-SQUEAK"...it takes me 230 watts to ride 18mph and I realize something is wrong...I hop off and spin my front wheel and notice that my brake has canted radically to the right and is jammed against the rim...the Inner Caveman comes out as I frantically search for stone and sticks from which to fashion tools for brake repair...after losing precious minutes, I'm back on the road and off the "cobbles", listening to the sweet tune of my aero wheels whistling happily once again....there's been a lot of chat on the blog lately about "racing" an event versus "sitting in", and I can tell you it's the same for triathlon. In order to "race" this event, I must stay constantly on top of my effort, maintaining my power output in the face of changing conditions; a momentary lapse of concentration costs seconds which add up to minutes which add up to lost places...midway through the bike leg and I'm on my game, "geezing" several 20-40 yr old athletes who started in earlier waves...the final 3 miles of the bike leg, and I'm flying back to Paris-Roubaix...as I approach an overpass at 27mph, I slam across a 1 inch gap in the pavement and instantly I know I've done some damage...on the back side of the overpass I feel my rear tire start to go soft, and I slow to maintain control...if I can just get to T2 without changing the tire...I limp through the last 2 miles of the bike course, babying my bike through the corners as the rear wheel begins to wash out...I finally make it to T2 just as the rear tir
e goes completely flat....Another PR through T2 and I'm out on the hot, humid and exposed run course...exhaustion has set in early for many, for as I relax and allow my legs to "open up" for the run, I see several athletes from earlier waves walking...my legs open up and I focus on completing a series of 13 x 1 mile intervals, focusing on my race pace...before long I turn onto the Esplanade and head into the shady relief of the French Quarter, where hundreds of new friends line the streets, cheering us on...a final turn onto Decatur Street and I sprint for the finish in Jackson Square, crossing the line in 5:31 and 28th place out of 104 finishers in my wave (160 had subscribed)....
It would be easy to say the bike mechanicals cost me, and they did, but even without them, I still would have been a good 15 min off my target time, roughly 5 min in each event...so while I am particularly happy with the way I remained calm and focused during adverse challenges, I have my work cut out for me before ITU Nationals in Oct, where I must place in the top 20 in order to qualify for the National Team and the 2011 World's...rest assured, my motivation this summer will be at an all-time high.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
ON THE ROAD THIS WEEKEND
We are racing in 3 states in 3 different type races!
NC - Bird and I are doing the Tour de Moore in Sandy Hill. It is a 54 mile RR and has drawn all the usual supsects from the tough NC crowd. We will be in the 40/50+ Masters 1/2/3/4.
VA - Tom is in Richmond for the USAT National Duathlon Championship and will be doing a tough course that is about 5k/38k/5k. It has fully subscribed with 1500 people. This is an awesome event.
GA - Brady and Gillespie are headed to Athens for the famous Twilight Crits. If a crit isn't hard enough, do one at night! This is faster than a NASCAR Race. Ladies, start your engines!
Well, did I miss anybody??? Chime in! If you are racing, let us know!
Oh, and good luck to Weinacker, Emily and Teenie. They are assaulting Mt Mitchell as a training ride. They are launching from Marion. Go get 'em ladies!
NC - Bird and I are doing the Tour de Moore in Sandy Hill. It is a 54 mile RR and has drawn all the usual supsects from the tough NC crowd. We will be in the 40/50+ Masters 1/2/3/4.
VA - Tom is in Richmond for the USAT National Duathlon Championship and will be doing a tough course that is about 5k/38k/5k. It has fully subscribed with 1500 people. This is an awesome event.
GA - Brady and Gillespie are headed to Athens for the famous Twilight Crits. If a crit isn't hard enough, do one at night! This is faster than a NASCAR Race. Ladies, start your engines!
Well, did I miss anybody??? Chime in! If you are racing, let us know!
Oh, and good luck to Weinacker, Emily and Teenie. They are assaulting Mt Mitchell as a training ride. They are launching from Marion. Go get 'em ladies!
Thursday, April 22 ride
Anyone up for a ride tomorrow? I was thinking of leaving from Furman around 10 am doing an out and back to the top of Caesar's head...3.5 hours-ish. Weather looks cooperative...78°.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Race to the River
Sam and I raced in the first of two SC state championship mtb races this past Sunday. It took place in Harbison State Forest, which is pretty much in the city limits of Columbia. It was an awesome day, weather wise (no dehydration repeat of last weekend). Points will be tallied from this race and from Stumpjump (which takes place the Sunday of the team camp) to determine who will be "State Champ".
We had decided, before the start, to set a really hard pace into the woods (about a mile or so), and then back off a bit and see what happened. After a little friendly chit-chat (see above), we took off down the gravel road start. When we got to the singletrack, it was just the two of us. Our fast start pace had caused us to catch some of the men that had started earlier. We picked them off, one by one........but guys don't like to get passed by chicks, so they try to race you for as long as they can. During this guy vs. girl battle, Sam and I got separated. I put myself in solo race mode and settled in for another 2 hrs. of racing.
This course suits my riding style (twisty, a little technical in spots, with short power climbs), so I had a blast. Sam enjoyed herself as well, and we plan to go back for a more mellow ride one weekend (anyone is welcome to come along). We ended up taking 1st and 2nd, and got a little cash for our efforts.
Stay tuned as Sam and I head off to Spartanburg for the "Stumpjump", and do battle for the much sought after state champ medal :)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Ok, so I know 'Team Stratton' isn't officially affiliated with Team Headstrong, but they are my heart and soul and I was asked to show pictures. 'Team Stratton' competed in the 'Stratton six's' first official triathlon. Boy did they put up a good show! Carlee (3) was the team anchor. She was about fifth coming out of the water in the most noble 25m swim you ever saw! She ran to her tricycle and pedaled for all she was worth. She then took off in her run so fast that I was having to work to keep up. Unfortunately, she thought she was done after the U on her W course. She then hit her virtual 'wall' and cried when she realized she wasn't done. I picked her up and held her arms up so her legs could finish! She was so excited to have done a 'triafolon!' Caeden (5) was second coming out of the swim, and got a little ambitious on the bike. He rode 'super fast' (real Team Headstrong potential), but accidentally went too many laps. He did great in his run and narrowly missed coming in first in the 3-5 age group (he would have won had he not been over-zealous on his bike). Camden and Chad (the twins) competed more against each other than the rest of the field. Camden (my true competitor) beat Chad by a minute--the rivalry continues. Claire finished--if you know Claire that in it of itself is an accomplishment (she is not much for finishing things). Last, but not least Clayton (Team Capt). Clayton was about third in the 9-12 age division to come out of the water, did great on the bike and run and finished about third. All in all a good day!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
LEVEL 1 COMPLETE
WOW! I've got some amazing teammates, and I am super thankful!
Today, Jim, Beth, Randall, Christina, Emily, and I met at the intersection of Hwy. 288 and Hwy 178 for what was promised to be a "hard" ride. There was some brief discussion that we could ride easy because Bird was unable to make the ride....i knew better than to fall into this trap. I was particularly excited that Beth and Jim came down to ride because I hadn't ridden with either teammate at length.
We started out with a brisk warmup and did a nice rotating line towards the base of Ceasar's Head. I asked Jim if he had a nickname, and he replied, "Mr. Wonderful", christening him this title for the rest of the day. We arrived at the base rather quickly. After a much needed bathroom break and Mr. Wonderful shouting he wanted to go to the girl's room instead, we ascended Ceasar's Head at our own paces. At one point, Brian from Carolina Tri drove up next to me and yelled "You better not let Randall beat you". As we climbed, I could see Randall moving up behind me at a steady pace. He eventually caught me, yes, caught me! on the one flat section about 2/3rds of the way up. I did ride away near the end, but he was pushing me the entire time.
This is what I learned today:
1. Randall is a climber, never believe him when he says that he is not. He is lying.
2. Beth is a maniac of a climber and can tell a great troubled youth story while she is climbing without missing a beat. At one point I looked at her near the end of the ride and said "Are you even tired?" Maybe it was the hot latte she drank at the gas station?
3. Christina is a constant encourager and will do anything for a promise of coffee (too bad that coffee shop was closed :( She has the ability to see things and make moves when most riders turn a blind eye. Action oriented.
4. Jim IS "Mr. Wonderful", patiently helping each of us with our bike maintenance issues and taking strong, very extended pulls at the front. There was even talk that he could fix my hernia while I rode? What?
5. Emily is unbelievably relentless. The epitome of headstrong, giving it everything she had the entire ride even as the push of the pace picked up. Proud of you!
I had to share today's ride with everyone because I felt today that I took my riding to the next level. Of course, I have completed many group climbing rides before, but not anything that compared to the intensity of today. The time between the climbs where I usually slow and regroup was spent in pacelines that were so well oiled and polished that I truly felt like Lance Armstrong. No joke. There was organization and a steady, united push as one unit towards our common goal. THIS is what a group ride should be! I never want to go back, I only want to advance.
You all bring out the best in me, and I am so thankful for each of you! I encourage everyone to take advantage of their teammates. I have to say, you are all wicked headstrong!
I am currently working on some personal limiters, namely having the confidence to move up in the peloton, to ride in the front 1/3rd, and handling skills, riding close and cornering. I ask each of you to provide only positive feedback and constructive criticism as I work in these areas. Baby steps.
Level 1 Complete, Level 2 ready.
Today, Jim, Beth, Randall, Christina, Emily, and I met at the intersection of Hwy. 288 and Hwy 178 for what was promised to be a "hard" ride. There was some brief discussion that we could ride easy because Bird was unable to make the ride....i knew better than to fall into this trap. I was particularly excited that Beth and Jim came down to ride because I hadn't ridden with either teammate at length.
We started out with a brisk warmup and did a nice rotating line towards the base of Ceasar's Head. I asked Jim if he had a nickname, and he replied, "Mr. Wonderful", christening him this title for the rest of the day. We arrived at the base rather quickly. After a much needed bathroom break and Mr. Wonderful shouting he wanted to go to the girl's room instead, we ascended Ceasar's Head at our own paces. At one point, Brian from Carolina Tri drove up next to me and yelled "You better not let Randall beat you". As we climbed, I could see Randall moving up behind me at a steady pace. He eventually caught me, yes, caught me! on the one flat section about 2/3rds of the way up. I did ride away near the end, but he was pushing me the entire time.
This is what I learned today:
1. Randall is a climber, never believe him when he says that he is not. He is lying.
2. Beth is a maniac of a climber and can tell a great troubled youth story while she is climbing without missing a beat. At one point I looked at her near the end of the ride and said "Are you even tired?" Maybe it was the hot latte she drank at the gas station?
3. Christina is a constant encourager and will do anything for a promise of coffee (too bad that coffee shop was closed :( She has the ability to see things and make moves when most riders turn a blind eye. Action oriented.
4. Jim IS "Mr. Wonderful", patiently helping each of us with our bike maintenance issues and taking strong, very extended pulls at the front. There was even talk that he could fix my hernia while I rode? What?
5. Emily is unbelievably relentless. The epitome of headstrong, giving it everything she had the entire ride even as the push of the pace picked up. Proud of you!
I had to share today's ride with everyone because I felt today that I took my riding to the next level. Of course, I have completed many group climbing rides before, but not anything that compared to the intensity of today. The time between the climbs where I usually slow and regroup was spent in pacelines that were so well oiled and polished that I truly felt like Lance Armstrong. No joke. There was organization and a steady, united push as one unit towards our common goal. THIS is what a group ride should be! I never want to go back, I only want to advance.
You all bring out the best in me, and I am so thankful for each of you! I encourage everyone to take advantage of their teammates. I have to say, you are all wicked headstrong!
I am currently working on some personal limiters, namely having the confidence to move up in the peloton, to ride in the front 1/3rd, and handling skills, riding close and cornering. I ask each of you to provide only positive feedback and constructive criticism as I work in these areas. Baby steps.
Level 1 Complete, Level 2 ready.
Friday, April 16, 2010
TOUR de MOORE
I am headed down on Friday the 23rd and coming back right after the race. It is 210 miles from Gville. Just looking for some company! let me know if you would like to race.
Tour de Moore
Tour de Moore
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Rock Hill Road Race - Rookie's viewpoint
I have been trying to come up with the words to describe my experience at the Rock Hill Road Race last Saturday. All I can say is... Wow... not so profound, eh?
My second bike race was mentally taxing... There were at least 35 Women 4 racers plus 50 Masters Men Cat 4 - add them all to a two lane road with a forbidden double yellow line for 47 miles - and you get an exhausting adventure! My first error was getting caught in the back with the yo-yo's and my fellow ya-ya's. At one point a woman next to me was so openly scared, all I could hear her mumble was, "... I have children at home..." as we went screaming down a hill. Great.
I saw my teammates close by and at the earliest opportunity I made my way closer to them. My second error was not having the confidence to stay towards the front during the early part of the race. Numerous times in the middle of the ride, I found myself at the front of a second stream swimming up the road. I was out in the wind with unchartered road ahead.
At another moment, I felt so spent, I desperately wanted the race to be over. But I remembered Randall's motivating prerace stories of not giving up… the pain is temporary… the self-doubt quickly faded. I also recalled my conversation with Stratton. She said she normally feels a boost of energy 90 minutes into a race… Ah, the good and the bad of being an endurance athlete… I know that feeling. If we can fight through the first 90 minutes, we can do anything. And we did.
My computer has been causing me grief so I just had the timer running on my watch which was strapped to my bicycle. At about 1:40 into the race, I figured we had another 35 minutes left. At that point Team Headstrong was taking over the race. Randall, Joe and Tom were cycling through at the front and I came up to try and offer some help. An unattached woman who I considered a nemesis at first due to an unexpected and accidental “run off the road incident” of Brady (who brilliantly stayed up right and in the pack!) turned into an ally and helped pull at the front.
What I couldn't believe was that I was pulling the pack. What was I doing on the front of my second bike race? Was this another error on my part? I told Giselle later that day, I wasn’t sure I belonged on the front especially in a men’s race but at that point I was already in the thick of things hoping the team could pull in the breakaway.
At that point, my energy was strong. I felt good. At 1:57 into the race, I still thought we had another 20 minutes left in the race. We could catch the breakaway. I saw a road sign for Fernand Road (?)... "oh dear, we are almost done"... I had mentally marked that sign during my warm up with Emily and Brady. Up ahead, were the last turn and the end of the race!!
We turned the corner on the last stretch with Stratton on the front. We both got trapped as we were approaching the 1000m mark. At the sprint line I gained a little room as the man next to me encouraged me along to my first "sprint" finish. We finished in 2:02. 24mph average is what I was told we did… all I can say is… Wow… and thank you to my team for motivating and encouraging me. Hearing Teenie and Randall calling out the shots while all other teams were mute… you are true leaders.
My second bike race was mentally taxing... There were at least 35 Women 4 racers plus 50 Masters Men Cat 4 - add them all to a two lane road with a forbidden double yellow line for 47 miles - and you get an exhausting adventure! My first error was getting caught in the back with the yo-yo's and my fellow ya-ya's. At one point a woman next to me was so openly scared, all I could hear her mumble was, "... I have children at home..." as we went screaming down a hill. Great.
I saw my teammates close by and at the earliest opportunity I made my way closer to them. My second error was not having the confidence to stay towards the front during the early part of the race. Numerous times in the middle of the ride, I found myself at the front of a second stream swimming up the road. I was out in the wind with unchartered road ahead.
At another moment, I felt so spent, I desperately wanted the race to be over. But I remembered Randall's motivating prerace stories of not giving up… the pain is temporary… the self-doubt quickly faded. I also recalled my conversation with Stratton. She said she normally feels a boost of energy 90 minutes into a race… Ah, the good and the bad of being an endurance athlete… I know that feeling. If we can fight through the first 90 minutes, we can do anything. And we did.
My computer has been causing me grief so I just had the timer running on my watch which was strapped to my bicycle. At about 1:40 into the race, I figured we had another 35 minutes left. At that point Team Headstrong was taking over the race. Randall, Joe and Tom were cycling through at the front and I came up to try and offer some help. An unattached woman who I considered a nemesis at first due to an unexpected and accidental “run off the road incident” of Brady (who brilliantly stayed up right and in the pack!) turned into an ally and helped pull at the front.
What I couldn't believe was that I was pulling the pack. What was I doing on the front of my second bike race? Was this another error on my part? I told Giselle later that day, I wasn’t sure I belonged on the front especially in a men’s race but at that point I was already in the thick of things hoping the team could pull in the breakaway.
At that point, my energy was strong. I felt good. At 1:57 into the race, I still thought we had another 20 minutes left in the race. We could catch the breakaway. I saw a road sign for Fernand Road (?)... "oh dear, we are almost done"... I had mentally marked that sign during my warm up with Emily and Brady. Up ahead, were the last turn and the end of the race!!
We turned the corner on the last stretch with Stratton on the front. We both got trapped as we were approaching the 1000m mark. At the sprint line I gained a little room as the man next to me encouraged me along to my first "sprint" finish. We finished in 2:02. 24mph average is what I was told we did… all I can say is… Wow… and thank you to my team for motivating and encouraging me. Hearing Teenie and Randall calling out the shots while all other teams were mute… you are true leaders.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tsali Knobscorcher Mountainbike Race
This is going to be awesome!! Using a little bit of "Headstrong" tactics.
Debbie and I were talking last night, and decided that the Tsali Knobscorcher mountainbike race on Sunday was the hardest one we’ve raced in quite a few years. I can’t speak for Deb, though I know she suffered too, but this is the race from my perspective.
The yellow wave was scheduled to line up at the start line at 11:30am, and by then, the early morning cold was gone, and it had warmed up to a comfortable race temperature.
Proudly Headstrong. Out here to kick some...
There's the start-line hiccup with the Kenda girl. I didn't just make it up!
There were 21 Cat 1 women and 2 Pro women on the start line, which is a pretty big field for a mountainbike race. Deb found a great spot in the front, right behind the line, and I nudged my front wheel up behind her, between her and one of the pro-women. As the race started, the Kenda girl next to me overbalanced and steered into me, forcing me to put my foot down, and lose precious ground. We had about a 300 yard gravel road climb into the single-track, and it was important to find a good place unless you wanted to fight for position in the trails.
Fighting like crazy for a good spot.
I fought like crazy to gain some spots in those first 300 yards, and entered the trails with a group of girls who were going a little slower than I wanted to be riding. I could see Deb ahead chasing the pro’s and a handful of other cat 1’s. I decided that I felt great, despite the effort of that first climb, and I started turning the pedals harder, passing about 4 women in my category and a few guys from the wave in front. I red-lined for almost 50 minutes, and eventually caught up to Debbie. I still wasn’t feeling too bad, but now we started hitting some gnarly climbs, and I could feel the effects of the first hour of effort. I dropped back a little on the first climb, a technical hard left, and a couple of guys from the wave behind us got in front of me.
Deb railing a corner after the first lap.
Starting to feel a bit stretched at this point.
By the time the second climb came, Deb was further ahead, and I thought I might be in a bit of trouble. I recovered for all of about a minute, and continued to push. For the next hour, I could see Deb about a hundred yards ahead, then two hundred and then I couldn’t see her anymore. A cat 1 girl passed me, which didn’t make me happy, but I was about maxed out at that stage. A short while later I passed the same girl again; she had stopped because of a mechanical issue, and while I never wish mechanicals or falls on anyone, I was glad to be again behind my team mate.
At two hours, the bottom fell out. Bonking is one thing, but I felt awful. I had enough fluids – it was calories I was badly in need of. The Powerbar Endurance mix in my Camelback was definitely keeping me hydrated, but I had planned badly. When you are racing mountainbikes, it’s not always an easy thing to reach into your jersey pocket, grab a bar of some sort, open it and eat it. You have just a few seconds every so often to take your hands off the bars, before you run the risk of losing control and crashing. I got mad at myself for not going to get the “liquid food” I’d been wanting to try for weeks, and that I’d put so much into training for this race, and the stupid small matter of a complete lack of glycogen was standing in the way of me and the podium!
For the next 45 minutes, I dragged myself around that course, not caring when another three girls from my category passed me (that should NOT have happened!!) – all I was thinking about was the chocolate soy milk in the cooler in the car.
Very relieved to cross the finish-line. Wish my face knew!
Deb just as relieved, but looking good.
I was elated to see the finish line, though my face certainly didn’t show it. The final results are posted, and Debbie Gillespie came in 6th and I came in 9th in the cat 1 division. Not bad out of a field of 21, and a huge improvement on last year’s result.
Stuff I learned from this race:
1. I’ve got to figure out the food thing
2. My coach, Dan Shelby, rocks
3. My team-mate, Debbie Gillespie, rocks
4. I cannot hold a red-line pace for almost 3 hours
5. I have to learn to temper my race aggression and pace myself (patience, patience, patience!)
6. I really like chocolate soy milk!
Giselle was subjected to moaning and wailing and gnashing of teeth when I saw her at the YMCA on Monday night. I complained bitterly how I’d bonked, and that of course that was the ONLY thing in the way of me overtaking those Pro-women, you know! Last night at SC-TAC, which I didn’t ride because I’m still trying to figure out who’s legs are attached to my body, she showed up with a possible solution. Hilarious! Thanks Giselle!!
Ban the Bonk!
Something Giselle touched on in her previous blog made me think about "racing" in a race, and now that I’ve been doing crits, road races and mountainbike races for quite some time, I believe that mountainbike racers race, from start to finish, holding nothing back. The only limitation is the amount of pain you can stand. And that race hurt like crazy.
Deb and I are racing on Sunday in
Saturday Climbing Ride - 4 hours on the bike- Hard
Description: 3.5 - 4 hours - 60+ miles - Hard efforts. Paceline work on rollers, climbs at your own pace.
Route: Depart church at corner of 288 and 178 and head for Caesar's Head. From top of CH, we will ride down 276 toward Brevard but take East Fork back to 178.
Time: Wheels up at 10:00 AM.
Current committed participants: RM, Teenie, Weinacker.
We need some more riders!! ARE YA IN OR OUT? RSVP if you are in.
Route: Depart church at corner of 288 and 178 and head for Caesar's Head. From top of CH, we will ride down 276 toward Brevard but take East Fork back to 178.
Time: Wheels up at 10:00 AM.
Current committed participants: RM, Teenie, Weinacker.
We need some more riders!! ARE YA IN OR OUT? RSVP if you are in.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
RHO- THE TIP OF THE SPEAR
I love Omniums and Stage Races and this was my first one back as a cyclist(vs. multisport athlete). The race was well organized, had 3 wonderful venues, drew strong fields and great competitors. It was a blast and is back on my calendar for 2011. I could write volumes but I would like to share a proud few minutes:
We were over 1 hour into the RR when there was a 3 man break. One of the riders had a team of about 10 guys from Charlotte. I got close to catching them early in the break but not quite. With about 5-6 miles to the finish, TEAM headstrong went to the front. Tom, Joe and I were there and we ask the women to help. Emily said she had to set in and I said no problem....been there. Elizabeth, run off the road earlier, was setting in. Teenie had been separated on the KOM hill after 24 miles of riding like a champ. In their second RR, Stratton and Lara came to the front to pull.
The Charlotte team with the guy in the break were blocking. I yelled for anybody that would not pull to get out of the way. Three other women came forward. We gained, slowly we gained. But, then the break, a few hundred meters in front of us, turned the corner about 1 mile from the finish. We were not going to catch them.........today.
We turned the corner. It was TEAM headstrong at the TIP OF THE SPEAR. First Stratton, then Lara, then me , then Tom......not sure of the others?
We are inexperienced....what do we do now??? All we can. We all finish 7th to 13th.......some would say mediocre. We made a ton of mistakes from which we will surely learn. I've got to tell you, I was beaming like a proud father.
A guy told Emily he loved our team because we did all the work. We don't do all the work but we race and he was riding. We were making a race unwilling to set in and sprint for 4th.....unwilling to say we 'finished in the main field'. You can watch a race from a bike just like can from a folding canvas chair. In fact, most riders do just that. Not us on that beautiful Saturday afternoon in Historic Brattonsville. We came to race and race we did. As time passes, we might forget a lot about the RHO RR but let us remember, we put it on the line and, for 10 or 15 minutes, we WERE the TIP OF THE SPEAR.
We were over 1 hour into the RR when there was a 3 man break. One of the riders had a team of about 10 guys from Charlotte. I got close to catching them early in the break but not quite. With about 5-6 miles to the finish, TEAM headstrong went to the front. Tom, Joe and I were there and we ask the women to help. Emily said she had to set in and I said no problem....been there. Elizabeth, run off the road earlier, was setting in. Teenie had been separated on the KOM hill after 24 miles of riding like a champ. In their second RR, Stratton and Lara came to the front to pull.
The Charlotte team with the guy in the break were blocking. I yelled for anybody that would not pull to get out of the way. Three other women came forward. We gained, slowly we gained. But, then the break, a few hundred meters in front of us, turned the corner about 1 mile from the finish. We were not going to catch them.........today.
We turned the corner. It was TEAM headstrong at the TIP OF THE SPEAR. First Stratton, then Lara, then me , then Tom......not sure of the others?
We are inexperienced....what do we do now??? All we can. We all finish 7th to 13th.......some would say mediocre. We made a ton of mistakes from which we will surely learn. I've got to tell you, I was beaming like a proud father.
A guy told Emily he loved our team because we did all the work. We don't do all the work but we race and he was riding. We were making a race unwilling to set in and sprint for 4th.....unwilling to say we 'finished in the main field'. You can watch a race from a bike just like can from a folding canvas chair. In fact, most riders do just that. Not us on that beautiful Saturday afternoon in Historic Brattonsville. We came to race and race we did. As time passes, we might forget a lot about the RHO RR but let us remember, we put it on the line and, for 10 or 15 minutes, we WERE the TIP OF THE SPEAR.
SCTAC
We will be linin 'em up at 5:50 tonight for 5 laps at SCTAC. How about Pita House after? If anybody has a better idea. Let me know.
I have some specific goals for myself:
* Form a breakaway with a team member (no problem). Sustain the breakaway with alternate 30 second pulls. ANYBODY GAME?
* Set up a leadout for the final sprint......3 to 5 people needed!
* Do 10-15 serious anaerobic efforts.
What are your goals?? Can I help you?
See ya out there.
I have some specific goals for myself:
* Form a breakaway with a team member (no problem). Sustain the breakaway with alternate 30 second pulls. ANYBODY GAME?
* Set up a leadout for the final sprint......3 to 5 people needed!
* Do 10-15 serious anaerobic efforts.
What are your goals?? Can I help you?
See ya out there.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Women's 123 Rock Hill Race
This was a tough day for me. Not looking forward to driving up to Rock Hill by myself on Saturday, I woke with some trepidation. I rallied "the troops" (me) and got going, stopping at the Starbuck's in Gaffney for an Americano, hoping the caffeine would get me jazzed up. A little confused with the directions once I got off of I85, but fortunately Jon had his cell phone handy and was able to verbally rescue me. I arrived a little too late for my liking, and realized I didn't know the accurate distance of the race nor much about the course at all. I did this race pre-Max, some 8 to 10 years ago, but the course had changed since then. Talk about a Randall no-no...I was very ill-prepared. Bang! Off goes the...cannon?
When I race, I like to get on the front and spend some time there so the women up there recognize me and know that I'm willing to ride hard and in the wind. Of course, I don't do this at my own expense. I think this pays off. When I was fortunate enough to race at some national and international events many years ago, if you sat in the back most of the time and tried to move forward, you would get shut down FAST, but if you did your time at/on the front they would give you an inch here and there, which makes all the difference in the world!
I spent the first half of the race staying forward, pulling, chasing, jumping, and altogether enjoying myself even though my legs felt they'd rather stay a steady pace than surge on and off. I had a pretty good feeling that there was not likely going to be a break as there were many strong women who wanted to be in it, which probably amounted ot about 90% of our group. So I drifted to the back for the first time and saw the rest of the riders who never see the wind. I stayed there for a while, but two things happened: First, I watched a crash occur right in front of me on a straightaway when a girl drifted to her right for no apparent reason, bumped a girl taking a drink, and she, in turn, took out 4 or 5 riders. Fortunately, I avoided. Later on, I saw a 200M sign...could this be the end of the race, already? NO!!! QOM! And I'm at the back! (I am SO NOT PREPARED!!!) Off goes a group of about 8 girls...8 fast girls...they could have been the break..they SHOULD have been the break, and I SHOULD have been in it, if I wasn't in the back!!! I knew I had to get my butt up there and not let this happen so I pushed my way through, got on the front and did my part of the chase. Fortunately, the group off the front didn't see the opportunity they had and didn't get organized, and there were still many strong legs left to chase. Needless to say, it was likely going to come down to a field sprint with a field of what looked like a bunch of sprinters.
One thing I have been working hard on personally is to get myself in a good position going into a finish of a race (it helps when you've proved you can be up there earlier during the race!). This is not always easy, but think I had a good position this time and really should be happy. But when it came time to GO, I completely bailed! The 1km to go sign came up and we were flying already...I love endings like this. I was near the yellow line near the front, not on it...perfect. But people started pulling around me on my left over the yellow line...they will probably get disqualified. Girls were screaming at them, but more followed, with more screaming, and other screaming besides. Everytime someone screamed, I cringed, until finally I just sat up. I completely gave up. I "raced" almost the entire race, knew it would come down to a sprint, and stopped racing when it counted.
I know I need to look at what I did right, and not what I did wrong. But there is a lesson in this for me, and for everyone: The trepidation before and during the race, being ill-prepared before and during the race, and not "racing" the entire time you are at a RACE. We work so hard on preparing ourselves physically for a race with riding, intervals, hill work, drills, etc. There is way more to it than that! But in the end, that's one of the great things about this sport: it's way more complicated than just riding a bike.
When I race, I like to get on the front and spend some time there so the women up there recognize me and know that I'm willing to ride hard and in the wind. Of course, I don't do this at my own expense. I think this pays off. When I was fortunate enough to race at some national and international events many years ago, if you sat in the back most of the time and tried to move forward, you would get shut down FAST, but if you did your time at/on the front they would give you an inch here and there, which makes all the difference in the world!
I spent the first half of the race staying forward, pulling, chasing, jumping, and altogether enjoying myself even though my legs felt they'd rather stay a steady pace than surge on and off. I had a pretty good feeling that there was not likely going to be a break as there were many strong women who wanted to be in it, which probably amounted ot about 90% of our group. So I drifted to the back for the first time and saw the rest of the riders who never see the wind. I stayed there for a while, but two things happened: First, I watched a crash occur right in front of me on a straightaway when a girl drifted to her right for no apparent reason, bumped a girl taking a drink, and she, in turn, took out 4 or 5 riders. Fortunately, I avoided. Later on, I saw a 200M sign...could this be the end of the race, already? NO!!! QOM! And I'm at the back! (I am SO NOT PREPARED!!!) Off goes a group of about 8 girls...8 fast girls...they could have been the break..they SHOULD have been the break, and I SHOULD have been in it, if I wasn't in the back!!! I knew I had to get my butt up there and not let this happen so I pushed my way through, got on the front and did my part of the chase. Fortunately, the group off the front didn't see the opportunity they had and didn't get organized, and there were still many strong legs left to chase. Needless to say, it was likely going to come down to a field sprint with a field of what looked like a bunch of sprinters.
One thing I have been working hard on personally is to get myself in a good position going into a finish of a race (it helps when you've proved you can be up there earlier during the race!). This is not always easy, but think I had a good position this time and really should be happy. But when it came time to GO, I completely bailed! The 1km to go sign came up and we were flying already...I love endings like this. I was near the yellow line near the front, not on it...perfect. But people started pulling around me on my left over the yellow line...they will probably get disqualified. Girls were screaming at them, but more followed, with more screaming, and other screaming besides. Everytime someone screamed, I cringed, until finally I just sat up. I completely gave up. I "raced" almost the entire race, knew it would come down to a sprint, and stopped racing when it counted.
I know I need to look at what I did right, and not what I did wrong. But there is a lesson in this for me, and for everyone: The trepidation before and during the race, being ill-prepared before and during the race, and not "racing" the entire time you are at a RACE. We work so hard on preparing ourselves physically for a race with riding, intervals, hill work, drills, etc. There is way more to it than that! But in the end, that's one of the great things about this sport: it's way more complicated than just riding a bike.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
RHO IS HERE
Well, this is one of our KEY RACES. That is, one our team and members committed to race. We have 11 of 20 riders lining it up in all or some of the races this weekend at Rock Hill.
Sam and Gillespie will be racing at the Knobscorcher MTB Race on Sunday so I would say 13 of us are in the game! Not sure if that is a good result or not.......?
Most of us will have support, except Bird and he might have been racing alone no matter who showed up due to the way the Cats are set up..........not sure?
Let's go after it so on Sunday afternoon, they will know who TEAM headstrong is. I'll see you over there. Remember, Saturday morning we will have the EZups set up under the trees. BRING A CHAIR, FOOD AND ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DRINK OTHER THAN WATER OR GATORADE.
Sam and Gillespie will be racing at the Knobscorcher MTB Race on Sunday so I would say 13 of us are in the game! Not sure if that is a good result or not.......?
Most of us will have support, except Bird and he might have been racing alone no matter who showed up due to the way the Cats are set up..........not sure?
Let's go after it so on Sunday afternoon, they will know who TEAM headstrong is. I'll see you over there. Remember, Saturday morning we will have the EZups set up under the trees. BRING A CHAIR, FOOD AND ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DRINK OTHER THAN WATER OR GATORADE.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
SCTAC - Highs and Lows
Week 4 was humbling for many of us. In Week 1&2, we spanked the B field. Lead by Bird and Giselle, we owned the race with G winning the sprints both weeks. In Week 3, G matriculated to the A's and Bird was out. We still had our way with the field.
This week , Bird went to A's and finished the 5 laps and G was out. Well, it wasn't our finest hour. I started to write a recap but why relive what was at best, mediocrity? Yes, the wind was blowing and it was hot, but everyone had to deal with this.
Let's look at the positives. Emily rode 3 strong laps in the front part of the field and practiced some bumping drills. Joe and Randy finished in the field.
Was not a long list of positives, huh??
Ok, Rock Hill is next !!!
This week , Bird went to A's and finished the 5 laps and G was out. Well, it wasn't our finest hour. I started to write a recap but why relive what was at best, mediocrity? Yes, the wind was blowing and it was hot, but everyone had to deal with this.
Let's look at the positives. Emily rode 3 strong laps in the front part of the field and practiced some bumping drills. Joe and Randy finished in the field.
Was not a long list of positives, huh??
Ok, Rock Hill is next !!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
ROCK HILL OMNIUM
CAN YOU RESPOND IF YOU ARE RACING AND WHAT RACE/RACES YOU WILL BE IN?
FRIDAY - These sprints require a substantial warm up. I would bring a trainer.
SAT - We will have EZups (compliments of CARO TRI) set up under the trees adjacent to the start. The Cat 4 Women and Mens 50+ 4/5 will meet at 10:40 for pre race strategy. This meeting is mandatory. We will warm up after. Please bring your folding chairs and any drinks you want other than water. You may want your trainer.
SUN - Again we will have the EZups set up at Winthrop Lake. The Mens 50+ 4/5 will meet at 3:15. Again, bring chairs, drinks, trainer.
Ride captains for the weekend:
Open women - Giselle
Men 50+ 1/2/3 - Bird
Cat 4 women - Teenie
Men 50= 4/5 - RM
See ya there.
YOU CAN ONLY SIGN UP ONLINE UNTIL 4/7. THEN THE PRICE GOES UP.
FRIDAY - These sprints require a substantial warm up. I would bring a trainer.
SAT - We will have EZups (compliments of CARO TRI) set up under the trees adjacent to the start. The Cat 4 Women and Mens 50+ 4/5 will meet at 10:40 for pre race strategy. This meeting is mandatory. We will warm up after. Please bring your folding chairs and any drinks you want other than water. You may want your trainer.
SUN - Again we will have the EZups set up at Winthrop Lake. The Mens 50+ 4/5 will meet at 3:15. Again, bring chairs, drinks, trainer.
Ride captains for the weekend:
Open women - Giselle
Men 50+ 1/2/3 - Bird
Cat 4 women - Teenie
Men 50= 4/5 - RM
See ya there.
YOU CAN ONLY SIGN UP ONLINE UNTIL 4/7. THEN THE PRICE GOES UP.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
SCTAC
CAT 4 women and Males 4/5 will be practicing for RHO in the B Group.
Bird (Jens V) is back. He and Giselle may well lead a group in the A's??
Everyone racing will likely be tapering for this weekend but this hard effort will fit in for many of us.
Eat after at Pita House!!!
Bird (Jens V) is back. He and Giselle may well lead a group in the A's??
Everyone racing will likely be tapering for this weekend but this hard effort will fit in for many of us.
Eat after at Pita House!!!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Saturday Climbing Ride - 4 hours on the bike- Hard
We will start at North Greenville University at 9:00 AM. That is 'wheels up at 9'. We will meet the NC contingent (they are coming out of Flat Rock) on way up the Saluda grade. We will climb Saluda Grade, Pierson Falls and Green River Cove Road (Alpe d'Saluda) and maybe others.
We will climb at our own pace, regrouping at the top of each climb. This is a Break Thru workout for some of us so we will be moving. WE LEAVE NO TEAM MEMBER FOR DEAD> If your schedule calls for less volume, this ride works well as there are lots of places to cut it short!
You can park along Tigerville Rd or behind the bank/Einsteins.
Please comment on this post if you are coming so we know who to look for.
Hope to see ya there!
We will climb at our own pace, regrouping at the top of each climb. This is a Break Thru workout for some of us so we will be moving. WE LEAVE NO TEAM MEMBER FOR DEAD> If your schedule calls for less volume, this ride works well as there are lots of places to cut it short!
You can park along Tigerville Rd or behind the bank/Einsteins.
Please comment on this post if you are coming so we know who to look for.
Hope to see ya there!
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