Tucson Bike Classic

The TBC is history now.   One of the larger stage races in the Southwest, this year'sk 27th Annual drew riders from California, Canada, Colorado and even SC/NC!  Bird thinks this is an A class race that far eclipses the French Broad Classic.

For Bird and I, this was a training race on the road to Battenkill and we struggled but had a few bright points.   Teenie had set this as an 'A' race and was well prepared.

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With a lightening fast TT on Friday, her 1st place put her in the leaders jersey on Saturday for the RR.  

The RR was 40 miles and 13 masters women came to the line. Three from TEAM DNA in Colorado looked like they could be trouble.   The 40 mile course included 2000+ ft of climbing and was definitely a test with some wind thrown in for good measure.   You guys know Teenie.  She was not going to defend the jersey, but goal set to win the stage.   In a tough set of hills, she broke away at approximately mile 24.   She was solo off the front for 8 miles, but then a chase group of 3 caught her.  At mile 37, the road turned up for 3 miles to the finish and Teenie took the 4 up sprint to gain a 10 second time bonus.   She launched at about 300 meters, despite the wind and grade, and only the 2nd place rider finished with same time.




This morning,  the circuit race was 5 laps x 5.5 miles with a crazy hard climb including about 4 stair steps.   The finish included 2 more hard selections.   The riders were really racing today and launched attack after attack that Teenie covered.   As the race matured, the women were down to about 6 riders and they passed the Cat 4 peleton despite the fact that the 4's had a 3 minute head start and about 30 women.   Up the 2 stair steps to the finish, it was again 4 up but Teenie powered ahead of the other 3.   She gapped the other women, gained time and again received a 10 second bonus.

It was a 3 stage sweep and the GC!  It was pretty thrilling to be here to support her.

Tour de Moore

The 38th Tour de Moore is set for April 27th in Southern Pines.   This has been my favorite race for some years.   The venue is great.   The race starts and ends near downtown at an old estate.   The classic home, community center, parking, trees and a terrific uphill finish are all in walking distance.

The race incorporates some rolling terrain that cuts through Ft Bragg but really omits any real mountain climbs.

The morning round of races are short one lap affairs.   This includes the Cat 5's, Cat 5 - 35+, Women's 3/4 and Men 60+.   Only 28 miles, these races don't leave you trashed and if you are the right age, cat or whatever, you can double up and race again around noon.  Bird, Teenie and I did this last year.

As you may know, women can cross over to men's races and add 20 years so all our women can race Master men 50+ (this is what Teenie did so she could race with Bird and I).

This is one of my 'A' races for the year so I hope you will come join and support me.   I have some big goals!

Oh, by the way, if you are really energetic, the Brick City Crit is the next day in Sanford, about 20 miles away!

Spring's Back

And at the risk of jinxing it, I'll welcome it here. After slogging up/down a lonely Rabbit many times this wetter-than-usual winter, today was definitely splendid. Maybe because it's the first I've ridden in 3 days after a bout of severe lower G-I distress (thanks Taco *@%). Or that it was finally sunny after--yes-- more rain. Or that it's daylight savings time again. Regardless why, the Rabbit was a highway of humanity on a Tuesday afternoon-- doggers, joggers, boarders, bladers, walkers, Cross-Fitters, strollers, street people, and yes cyclists of every type-- were all enjoying the same things: sunshine, warming temps, and Nature's serenade. Tree frogs and other croakers, squeakers, and squawkers were in full song in the low-lying sections. Things are greening up. A hawk and a turkey vulture flew low looking for supper. The Rabbit Café's parking lot was busy-- hope Sam's packing them in. Arriving downtown, it's obvious Greenville is taking off its winter coat and welcoming Spring. Parking lot attendants manned their lots and waved flags for some college baseball at Fluor Field. People strolled Main Street in droves, another reminder of this town's walking perfection. Looping around Cleveland Park, I was pleased to see it bustling, people hustling on the tennis and b-ball courts, dusting off their game. Kids, parents, dogs were everywhere. It's that time of year. Maybe why most people seemed friendlier than usual too. More drivers stopped at crossings and waved us across. Seemed easier to smile at the kids I passed, even though they were sorta in the way. I towed the trio of athletic bladers for a few hundred yards before they thanked me and dropped off. I exchanged friendlier-than-usual head nods and waves at other cyclists. Couldn't resist tossing out "hey, you lost somebody" while passing the dude commuting solo on that old tandem with the American flag on a pole. Hey he laughed back-- bet he never heard that one before. Yes it was a great day to be on the bike. And welcome back Spring, hope you're here to stay a while.

Slow Start

Crazy to think that its the beginning of March but the season is already a month old. When I lived in Wisconsin, we didnt get to ride outside until the first of April! The season started off a few weeks earlier than normal with the Greenville Spring Series. Its been a tough start to the year for me. After 8 months off the bike, my speed isnt coming around as quick as I would like. I think I have the base needed, but need that to translate into some real speed in the coming weeks. At most of my races this year I just cant quite hang with the top group. I couldnt run the pace of the other pros at last weekends mountain bike opener, and in the crits and road races I just cant seem to stay with the front group. Hopefully a few more weeks of focused speed work and intervals along with some more mountain bike races will get me ready for a big month of racing in April. SC Crit Champs, Tour De Moore, Mountain Bike State Champs and finally Tsali first weekend of May! Time will tell!

Brian Thompson ride

Great turnout today of 13 riders to welcome Brian Thompson back to the states! Amazing how strong he was for not having ridden a bike in almost a year!!! Steve lead us on a great 2 1/2 hour ride with some double paceline, friendly coversation and a few opportunities to drop the hammer. Tonight a welcome back party at Sam and Steve's place!

Strava Craze

I have been really thinking about this whole 'Strava Thing' and really getting excited.  You know how Teenie and I are always saying we can take what we learn on the bike and apply it to our 'lives in general'? I decided to put this into action.

A new Strava segment has been created!  It starts at the side of my bed and goes to just beyond the Miele(our famous coffee maker).   This segment allows me to measure how long it takes to get a cup of coffee made in the morning!

Wow!  Already gains are being made by aggregating small improvements.  I no longer put my slippers on.....just hit the cold floor.   No hair combing, tooth brushing or face washing during this 'segment'.   I am sure to come out of bed in an aero position and with momentum.  All this, I am refining.

No longer do I wait for a message saying beans are needed or the waste container is full.   All of you coffee drinkers from camp, know this disappointment.   I take care of these issues the night before.   No reason to waste a great chance at a PR.....it might stall me on a morning when I have a stiff tailwind!

TWO RANDALLS ......... IS THE END OF THE SEGMENT!

I still have ideas for improvement.   I am going to set the timer to start the coffee maker prior to me getting up.   When I arrive, it will already be through the intensely long HEAT and RINSE cycle.  I hate waiting on these.  Can you imagine???  This is going mean a 20-30 second drop in my time.   I could train for years and never make this type gain.  

Look for me soon as the KOM on this segment.   Oh yes.   The coolest thing about this segment is I am the only one that will be doing it............Teenie, I will be the only one, won't I??

I bet the TEAM can find all kinds of great applications for Strava?  Keep me posted!

Southeastern Race Calendar

You can access a list of 2013 Southeastern USA Cycling race events in the sidebar to the left of this post.  

I will update this list as the year progresses.  In addition I added some links (blue type throughout the document) at the top for sites that you might want to check (eg Carolina Cycling, TBRA, GBRA, etc).

If you would like to add an event send me an email with the details (name, date, type, location).  Some of the dates are "place holders" as the event has not been permitted.

I hope this will help you in planning your 2013 season.  I welcome your comments and additions.

Training in AZ #9

Running a training plan when everything is going right, is pretty easy.   The problem is, everything almost never goes right.   Weather, work, illness, family, and LIFE get in the way.   I call these speed bumps.  

This week, I hit a speed bump.   I won't get detailed but I was violently ill with a stomach virus on Monday night.   I continue to struggle to recover.  I have been out for easy spins on Thursday and today...........still weak.  I have really not resumed training.

With a big training race weekend ahead I am in dilemma.........   The plans were to 'crit race' at a church about 5 miles from our home(I ride my bike over)on Sat and road race at Colossal Cave(where the TEAM ride was at Camp) on Sun.  I like the crit course and I felt it would provide me with anaerobic training which was to have started Tuesday(obviously did not due to sickness).   The RR would be great training for Tour of Battenkill.

It is 2:00PM on Friday and I have not decided what I will do yet.   These A and B races, for me, can be like this.   As competitive as I am, these races are not the end goal but the misstep goal.   TofB and Tour de Moore is what is important.  I am pretty sure I will make the right decision if 'I keep my eye on the donut and not on the hole'.

Some of you may be facing/have faced similar decisions on the Spring Series this year.   Lot's of illness, bad weather, and other things have caused speed bumps.........I would like to know how you have handled your bumps?

Oh, I will keep you posted on what I do about these races!