Salt Water Fish vs Fresh Water Fish

Teenie and I participated in the Fab 4 today at Tryon.  Katie Malone and a host of folks put on a really nice 'event'.   Good course, lots of volunteers, good and healthy food after.

I must confess, I had a miserable time.   I have not been in this sport all my life but long enough to 'find myself'.   I am bike racer.   I ride in training and do just fun rides, but my heart is in racing.

Today's event was not a race, although I could have raced it but I did not.  After signing up, this was second mistake.  Going back to my opening statement, we participated and did not race.

The event draws many VERY STRONG good riders.   I saw a lot of these people excited and having a very good time.

About once a year, it seems I have to do a cookie ride to remind me I don't do cookie rides.  I am not a participant, I am a racer.

OK, let's get back to the fish thing.....there are salt water fish and fresh water fish.   Neither is better, just different.  Salt water fish don't get into fresh water much and vise versa.  I just need to remember which one I am.

Anybody wanna race?

It is about this time of year when a lot of folks start to lose enthusiasm about bike racing??   Surprising, with the Tour de France starting tomorrow!   It is hot and we have been riding for a long time.

For me, my main race season is just starting and I hope I will have some company:

7/4 - Fab 4 in Tryon - 62 miles - cookie ride but a warm up
7/5 - Spinners TT at SCTAC
7/7 - GA State Games RR - Marietta, Ga
7/8 - GA State Games ITT - Marietta, GA
7/10 - SCTAC
7/14 - NC State RR Championship
7/17 - SCTAC
7/20-7/22 - French Broad Classic - TT/RR/Crit

Let me know if you can join me so we can plan team support!
 

Looking forward to Tuesday

I am already looking forward to the Tuesday B ride.... come on out......

on another note, Emily put the hurt on me on Saturday's ride up and back over the Mt Pisgah doing the 151 loop.   Then she contested the "stone pile" sprint to end a great 60 mile 7,000ft of climbing ride... She was just awesome..  (below is the original stone entrance to the Pisgah on 276)...

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Oh and Tom did not let a mechanical (only 2 gears,  rear derailleur stuck in 1st gear) stop him from having a good ride.  Although he opted out of the 151 loop he did the down and back up Mt Pisgah through all the tunnels towards the  Arboretum then started a second climb up 276 meeting us to finish the ride.

We finished it off with a trip to Dolly's......sooooo good...

Beyond the Bike

Teenie and I have taken 4 of our grandchildren to Costa Rica for 10 days.

We are satisfying dreams of spending vacation time with them (no parents allowed), giving them experiences and learning Spanish (a goal all 6 of us share).

We are at Conversa in Santa Anna, studying  for 5-6 hours daily.

Of course, I am getting about 1.5 hours of hard mountain biking in each morning.  Afternoons, after class, are filled with yoga and hiking in the rain forest.

Yo quiero carrer mi bicicleta con TEAM headstrong por muchos anos.     Hay amigos y amigas en TEAM headstrong.  Yo amo ustedes con todo mi corazón.

After 4 days, this is the best I could do..........

Hope to see you out there soon!

For the Record

A couple of weeks ago, in the South Carolina State RR Championships, I had a great day!  I mean, everything went really well for me; I had a luck-filled day.  I am happy to take these days, as they come few and far between.

In the wake of these races (Masters 50+ and Womens 123), I've had few comments come to my attention, granted, none of them said directly to me.  I've been having a difficult time understanding why people would say such things.  Mostly, I just had to let them slide, that was until I found out that people have been saying that I "cheated". 

So...I would like to set the record straight:

I was registered for the Men's 50+ race.  This IS allowed.

I raced with the Men's 50+ group.  The entire time.  I did NOT jump off the women's field to join them.

I was at the start line for this race.  

Yes, I was late for the start of the W123 race. I had to chase to catch up to them and it wasn't easy.  When I caught the group, I CHECKED WITH THE MOTO to ensure I was okay to race.  I did not do this on purpose, nor did I do it in a sneaky manner.  Many people have stories of missing the start of a race and having to chase to catch, and most people know that the only person harmed is the person who is late.  

I'm not really sure what to make of these comments, but the truth is...they hurt.  These are not strangers who I have never met saying these things.  They are people I know, and...liked.  I think they may read this post.  I hope they read this post.  In the meantime, I'm still trying to find the lesson in all of this, as I'm sure He intended.  

Tuesday SCTAC

Several of us have been having discussions on the Tuesday night ride’s participation and safety this season.   Several talking points have arisen, namely    safety (quite a number of crashes this year in the A’s)

1. safety
2. participation (paying is really down, and the B group has all but disappeared)
3.  quality / skills of riders in the A (to point number 1 and no. 2)
4.  road condition

We would like to ensure that Tuesday night continues and grows in participation as one of the key training events in the upstate.    We cannot do much about the road surface, but we can collectively address the other issues.  

• ·         First we need to re-establish the B group, pulling back some of those trying to race in the A’s. and create a competitive training environment for riders to become higher level racers   
• o    I will be riding the B’s Tuesday, and am asking any of you (and anyone you can solicit) that can, to join me as an effort to rebuild the B race.
• o   We should set a competitive B pace, I would guess somewhere between 21-23mph,   
• o   This may take time, but I would guess we would see more join us each week as those that cannot hang with A’s are overtaken by the B’s..  and that it is a better “fit” for many of the racers..
• ·         one concept is that the A’s should be for Licensed EXPERIENCED riders, specifically that it should be Men Cat IV and above, Women Cat III and above,  but this is a self regulated as no one wants to “police” the ride.
• ·         Solicit other cyclists to join us …
• ·         Encourage every participant to “ante up”…… rule is …”if you ride, you should pay”

As one of Greenville’s predominant teams we should help to improve the SCTAC Tuesday night ride in participation, safety, competitiveness, and fun.   

In keeping with that, we would like feedback and suggestions around this topic from you and any other participating cyclist.

I hope see some of you out there tomorrow night.  And feel free to share this with anyone…(I sent an email version of this out)

FAB 4

July the 4th is just around the corner.   It is about this time in June, every year, that Teenie and I ask each other if we are gonna be in town for the 4th.   Thank goodness the answer is YES, this year.

Then we both scrunch our noses and kinda agree to do the FAB 4 ride out of Tryon.  I guess it is becoming a tradition.  We're not big on traditions in the Maddox household.  We have few.

We don't love this event but it is better than setting on the couch and watching football.   Oh, it's summer...no football, I forgot.  Maybe we would go if it was football season?  They usually have some pretty bad barbecue after but it is all for a good cause....I think?  Aren't all cookie rides for good causes?

Sometimes we race and sometimes we just ride.  The start is nuts.  Not sure how we will approach it this year?  If Emily comes and says she is not racing, don't believe her.  She always races.  It's in her blood.....one of the reasons we all love her.  Bake/Sam might be building the new Shake and Bake Garage but I will try to talk them into coming.

What can I tell you??   After this blog, I am not sure any of you will show but I hope so.  Misery loves company!

DS rocks at SC TT

The DS turned in a great TT at the SC state TT in Mt. Pleasant today. His 40k average speed was faster than my 20k! Well done!

View from the back.....

SCTAC... speed is up... skills are down....

The last several weeks SCTAC A's have had its share of crashes and close calls.   This past Tuesday saw a cadre of USA Development team riders join the fray.  Some of which could not even pedal the bike smoothly, weaving left and right.  Add in some riders who display less than experienced pack racing skills and well you feel like you are in a Cat 5 race........you might want to be at the front or at the back, just in case....  (A's should be for USA Cycling licensed and EXPERIENCED riders)...

The Devo's moved near the front during the warmup and the pace started going up quickly... they were holding a good pace but displaying less than adequate skills.   Add some wind and then a little rain... well you can guess what was going to happen....

On the 2nd lap, on the back side flat, a rider came back on another rider not holding his line and BAM.. riders going down...  All the while I am thinking this is not safe, this is not safe....riding in the gutter on the right.. I don't care if the pavement is bad....good to have a bailout plan.... so I just ride out into the grass field avoiding the mayhem....

In the old days back in Atlanta, my late brother would hand out "pink slips" to riders who "did not belong" sending those riders to the back.. Needless to say, there were those who really disliked him, but the veterans of the peleton appreciated someone was doing some "policing".

I am not sure what we can do to ensure the quality and safety of the A's, but we might want to explore some ideas (Cat 4 racers and above?).... for me.. the A's used to be the safest of the Donaldson races...now, I am more and more riding on edge as I feel it is no longer "safe"....

Just my view.....

Johnson City Omnium

Saturday RR…  point to point starting at 1,600ft and finishing at Rhodendrum Gardens atop Roan Mountain at 6,200ft in just 32 miles…  … affectionately known as the Roan Groan.

The elevation profile…. Need I say more…

Except I am not a climber….( click here to continue reading......)

Debbie does Leadville: 12 Hours of Insane (aka 12 Hours of Tsali)

Debbie does Leadville: 12 Hours of Insane (aka 12 Hours of Tsali): This race is always one of my favorites. For the past three years I have done this race as a member of a 4 person team. I have always though...

TEAM Headstrong Women Rock at Tsali

Congratulations to Debbie Gillespie (1st Women Solo), Catherine James (1st Women's Team 4), and Elizabeth Brady (1st Women's Team 2) at the 12 Hrs of Tsali last weekend.

RACE AND PARTY

The State RR is coming to Fork Shoals on 6/9.  TEAM headstrong is a proud sponsor of this all important event and it is key team race that allows full reimbursement of your entry fee.

With many setbacks under our belt, a good turnout and some championship jerseys would be nice.

Teenie and I are hosting a party at our house the night of race, Saturday night.   Details on time and what you can bring will follow.

Hope to see you out!

Congratulations to Camille Hood on a great finish today at the Gainesville Gran Prix.  I believe She finished on the podium today.  Nice to see you out there.

TEAM headstrong MAKES THE NEWS

We are featured in an article in Tailwinds, a Tucson publication, on page 17!

Living Like a Stage Racer

As bike racers, we have a very unique understanding of the sport of cycling. We watch big races like the Tour de France knowing what it’s like to go as fast as you can for 60, 70 even 100 miles. We have a special appreciation for what those pro athletes do on their bikes. Even though we get a glimpse of one day racing now and then, we rarely take the opportunity to ride long distances more than a couple days in a row. Sam, Mel and I got a taste of what it might be like to be a big time stage racer last week when we took part in the David Sutton Memorial Cross State Tour.

The Tour (affectionately known as The Beach Trip) is hosted by the Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club. It’s basically a 4 day ride across SC and GA from Greenville, SC to Savannah, GA. I bring up the stage racing reference above because that’s the feeling you get when you’re doing this Tour. You get up in the morning and ride your bike to the next destination. It’s all you have to do for that day. There is really no hurry, so it’s all the fun of multi-day riding without the pressure of racing. If you think that sounds pretty cool, you are right. It is one of the most fun weeks I spend on my bike all year.

We left Moonville, SC on Wed morning under warm, sunny skies with a good group of friends. The rural route had us pedal south through the SC countryside on lots of pretty back roads. Our group stayed together most of the way, regrouping now and then as various members took their time while others surged ahead for county line and city limit signs. We rolled into Newberry, SC after 70 scenic miles, grabbed lunch on the square and lounged in the hotel pool. That’s pretty much the theme for the week. Ride, Eat, Lounge, Sleep and do it all over again the next day.

On Thursday, we set off for Augusta, GA pretty early to beat the heat. The scenery in that part of the state is quite nice with some rolling hills and lots of pastures and forests along the way. We kept the group rolling steady with just a few efforts now and then to “let the dogs out” as Sam likes to say. 78 miles into the day, we jumped on the Riverside Greenway in Augusta, GA. This extensive trail system connects North Augusta and Augusta similarly to Greenville’s Swamp Rabbit Trail, but this one is bigger and better in many ways. We rolled the last 10 miles along the river through the shade trees right into downtown Augusta. I would have to say that this Greenway is an example of what I hope we can get to in Greenville with our SRT system. I also have to say that it made the 88 mile stage a little more palatable.

After two long rides my body was thinking it was going to get a break. Normally, I would take a rest day after such decent adventures on the bike. This is where the stage race feeling gets cranked up on high. Friday’s ride was a 106 miler from Augusta, GA to Statesboro, GA. Not exactly a normal effort for me at this stage in my career. I’ve done many centuries in my lifetime, but I haven’t done many of them after two 70+ mile days. I was a little worried that this one was going to hurt.

We rolled out of Augusta under cool, cloudy skies hoping that the 90 degree temperatures forecast for that afternoon were an exaggeration. Sam and I were forced to chase the others for the first 20 miles when they left earlier than they had promised the night before. She and I rotated at a pretty good pace, enjoying the cool morning and reveling in the fact that our legs didn’t feel terrible after all the miles we had already covered. We eventually caught up to a great group of folks and settled in for the long day ahead.

Sam was riding like a champ, taking her turns at the front when most people were just looking for wheels. Several of us kept the pace steady as we ticked off the miles. The roads in the lower part of GA are VERY rough and we were all complaining about the nasty chip and seal pavement. Many of the others were very glad that I had shared a trick with them to run lower tire pressure for the day on the rough roads. 100-105 psi helped to take the edge off some of the roads for me, while the lighter folks were down around 80-90 psi. (Most riders put too much air pressure in their tires anyway, so this worked well to soften the ride a little.)

It started getting very hot towards the end of our century stage and we were all very happy to roll into Statesboro, GA. We grabbed a quick lunch before retiring to the swimming pool out back. Man this was the life. Riding, Eating and Lounging was even more fun than you think it was.

Saturday’s ride from Statesboro to Savannah, GA was sort of a formality. The roads were very flat and we rolled along at 24 mph without any trouble at all. I constantly fought the urge to crank up the speed as we enjoyed the unusual terrain. I was very pleased with how my legs were feeling after so many miles on the bike, and Sam was still riding like a champ as well. We rolled into Savannah after a quick 75 miles and hit the town for some lunch.

Savannah was really hopping so we spent some time wondering around the streets of downtown along the river. There was a Tall Ships Festival going on, so we saw some really awesome sailing ships with their 60 foot masts and huge sails. It was fun to imagine what it would be like to see these things docked here 100 years ago. We enjoyed out time in Savannah even with the sweltering heat.

Sunday we returned to Greenville to get back to reality. Overall, we did over 330 miles for the 4 days of riding, so we were not sad that there was no riding on day 5. If you’re looking for a fun, low pressure event that will give you a taste of what it’s like to be a big time stage racer, sign up for the Greenville Spinners Beach Trip next year. You really do get that stage race feel without all the pressure of having to win anything. Well, you can win something actually. They do give out some tour gag prizes and Sam and I won the Best Behind to Be Behind for male and female. Now that’s a no pressure victory.

Tour of the Dragons

Manchester, VT. - Hoodster took the yellow and green jersey in the GC as the overall winner and sprint champion.   He won the RR today covering 62 grueling miles.   I don't know if you can understand how big of a deal this is without being here?

JOHN & RANDALL'S BIG ADVENTURE

After 1.5 days of driving, the Hoodster and arrived yesterday about lunch in Arlington, VT.   Primary goal:  Race and win the GC in Tour of the Dragons Stage Race.

Settling in the house, getting groceries, eating, spinning the TT and crit course kept us busy the rest of the day.

We awoke to rain and fog this morning and headed via car to Bennington, location of the start and finish of the RR.  Our tour of 30 miles of the 62 mile course, took us up Col Du Rupert, a 4.8K -avg. 6%/max 14% climb over hardback dirt road.  We swung by Battenkill Bike Shop on the way back.  The mechanic was very friendly and and was quick to inform us that the RR was harder than it's big brother one day race, Tour of Battenkill.

The TT course is 10.7 miles and highly technical, very hilly and has a lot of sharp turns.   I would rate it VERY dangerous.

We returned to our temporary headquarters at lunch and whipped up a solid meal.   We then took a one hour spin down Highway 313 along the Battenkill River.

Negative thoughts cropped up as I cleaned and readied my bikes.   Some people call it the 'Moment of Truth'.   It is the feeling that this sounded like a better idea a few weeks ago.  No worry, I know how to get rid of it......visualize successful outcomes.  I am already on it.

Watch for a race results soon!

PS.  I will add pics when I get my Mac fixed!

Tour de Cashiers

Saturday May 5th.  If you are looking for something to ride with some challenging climbs, this may be it... Tour de Cashiers.   I am planning on doing the 100k.   The 100 miler is a really tough century.  

Debbie does Leadville: Cohutta 100

Debbie does Leadville: Cohutta 100: This past Saturday I did my first ever 100 mile mtb race. The race was the Cohutta 100, the first race in the National Ultra Endurance (NUE)...