Holiday Weekend

So far it's been OK. I was able to lace 95% of aham's wheel. It's official....I HATE paired spoke drillings. Oh...did I mention I have like 3 or 4 more sets coming through a group buy direct from Taiwan. :(

Went on the Village Pedaler ride yesterday. Typically this has been a group ride for any and all. A fun kind of ride where there is a no-drop rule. Back last year CyLowe, Voldemort, and I were among the fastest on the ride. While it was fun to be in that position on a ride it doesn't do much for your fitness. More of a fun ride.

Non of us have been making it much this year probably for those reasons, but I knew they have changed the ride a bit (A and B groups) and the routes...not to mention the strongest guy there has been showing at races this year and I was looking forward to shooting the crap with him.

Showed up and the fast guy (I'll call him Pointer :) ) was there. One of the other regulars - shop employee - was out with a broken collarbone - low speed crash while dusting his wheel with his glove. He's very embarassed I was assured. Karrie was there along with Dan, another regular and 2 newbs (blondie and 'stasch).

We decided early on to take a new route that only Dan really knew. We were on roads I have been riding more frequently so I wasn't totally lost. Pretty soon it was apparant that we needed to split into A and B, but we didn't. We just kept riding hard and waiting at each turn. It was like intervals. It was also kind of fun because it gave us time to shoot the crap while waiting.

We rode up Campton Hills Rd - the opposite way I went on the Bicycle Heaven ride on Tuesday. That's a killer series of hills/rollers all together. Pointer and I peeled everyone off on that one while I mentioned to him that I don't like hills....about 1000 times. I am climbing very well compared to my normal self. Still not good, but much better for sure.

There were a ton of groups out there. Most of these groups were Tri groups - that means they are groups made up of 4 or 5 50-80 yr old men in dayglow kit riding tri bars and about 30-40 women of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. Usually 4-5 in the super-model late 20's to mid 40's range. This is where I decided on Pointer's name.

Before I knew it I was leading the combinations of groups all alone. There was a lot of giggling coming from the group behind. I turned and Pointer was chatting it up with a few of them. Ahh...to be young and single. You know you're old and marriged when all you can think of saying is, "so this will run into Ramm or Middleton rd up here right? Is it North or South of McDonald rd.?"

What I really needed was a little "Tim-Tim" directional advise. "Nah, you just have to stay on this until Jefferson then turn right for a little jog over on to the Henderson farm where there's this little kicker of a grade that doesn't look like much but will knock the wind out of you. Also...little known fact but there is a great microbrew based out of the Henderson's barn. Phish played there in 96 as a part of the ____ tour. etc...."

One of the dayglow wrinkle squad thought he'd show these young dumb roadies a lesson (really a kind of pissing match over 'his' women I think) and turned up the pace on the front. We responded. He pushed harder...we responded. Slowly we began this process of shifting, getting lower in position, all nice and easy like. All I could hear was the sound of popcorn popping behind us (people getting shelled off the back). Wrinkly popped and then Pointer and I finally got in the drops and laid it on. It was just us. We just kep climbing in speed. Finally there was a "stop ahead" sign off in the distance. It was on. Out of the saddle. I dropped him, he came back and dropped me...I came back and was about to pass him again when we both sat up for the stop.

Hella-fun. Heard wrinklly telling one of his women "I thought it was one of us older guys when I turned and looked and saw those young guys. That was it." One of our guys came up to us after that and said, " hey I fell off when you guys crossed 30 mph - and that was before the sprint!" All I could do was smile. (BTW - my freeking Garmin 305 is now plauged with the shut off on every bump glitch. SO I fly blind now).

Well....Pointer let the scenery get to him and I really thought I knew where we were....net result=we ended up really far off from where we wanted to go. We broke off from the group. I could have sworn I heard velcro tearing apart when Pointer came along. We cobbled together what we thought would get us back. We ended up near the school on the regular Pedaler route and just followed the normal route backwards.

Finally caught the back end of the rest of the group (who had turned earlier) within a few miles of the shop. Stasch was well out of his element and it was showing. We were waiting pretty heavily for him in the beginning and this route ended up being longer than anyone was expecting. Newbs were out of water...and so was I. I hung back with him to bring him into the shop. I was literally free-wheeling the whole way. It was painfully slow, but I tried to pass the time with some conversation to take his mind off of everything.

At the end I felt like I had a good ride, but nothing real taxing. Turned out to be about 40 miles at around an 18 pace. Not bad considering the hills and the chatting. :) All I could think was...My batterys needed this.

Last night was a baseball game. Little P loved it. Ate everything in the place. I have a sugar hangover. Today is a "hang around the house day"

Exhibit A:That was taken a few minutes ago.

Finally got on anti-biotics for the hell that I have been enduring. 3 or 4 weeks in. Dairyland Dare, Team Time Trial, Tour of Oakbrook, various group rides, etc all under the siege of snot. Final phase has been a WICKED sinus infection. Had to do something. Hopefully this will kill it all off and not flat my performance for Fall Fling like some anti-biotics will. Z-Pack baby.

I think we'll hit the trail with the trailer today. I can be a "dad" and still get some riding in. He loves it. Really. I just asked if he wanted to go on a bike ride with his helmet in the trailer...he said....with head bobbing..."uh...YEAH!" "Are you sure?" I said...."Uh ....YEAH!" :D

BTW - aham is getting some good natured ribbing over on Bikeforums...check it out...http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=460040

later.

Bicycle Heaven Group Ride

So...I finally rode my first group ride with my team. I've known since I found out about the ride last year that this is a very high caliber ride. So I knew I was going to be in over my head.

I prepared with a map and made sure I had a blinkie (bike talk for little flashing red light used in low light levels to warn motor vehicles of your presence or to generally increase your visibility - used here to imply that I would be coming in after the main group - in the dark). It was nice to see MJH2 and RR both there for the ride. I pulled the newb move and didn't wear my team kit (still dirty from the race - P U). I wasnt sure what the protocol was and I didn't want to be the guy that wears the shirt of the band you are going to see. Turns out I should have been that guy.

So what is there to tell...um...these guys are indeed all business. There was more slabs of prime grade A racing beef there than at almost anything else I have ever done outside of a race. Oh...and chatty cathys too. Real lively talkative bunch. It was nice because they rollout pretty slow for quite a while and most of the talk had to do with the race that seemingly all of us were in last weekend.

Then they attack. Holy crap Batman. This isn't a quick flyer or hard sprint kind of attack, but rather a slow rolling into pace. The kind where it just keeps going....you hit "kinda fast" and it keeps increasing....you hit "fast" and it keeps going....you hit "this is hauling ass" and it keeps going.....you see stars and start to get tunnel vision.....and there is still a gap.

That kind of acceleration always makes me feel like I am in a slow mo replay of the special effects from Star Wars when they do a jump into hyper-space.

I knew it would happen eventually so I didn't freak out or anything. MJH2 and I ended up plodding ahead. It took me forever to really get my engine running. I have been noticing that lately. What I mean is that it takes like 15-20 minutes of HARD riding before I stop hyper-ventilating and start being able to pour on power, etc without totally popping.

MJH2 noticed that as well as I was wheel sucking him like I was a 2 month old and his wheel was a nipple. All said we ended up doing some decent work. Really cranked out some powerful sections. The effort was similar to the TTT I did with aham a few weeks back. Has to list up there as one of my all time hard efforts speed wise.

It was like being in a race. Actually being in a race. Pegged from the start with absolutely no breaks.

We finished respectfully and got some "meh....not too horrible for cat4/5's" looks from some of the guys. Even got a "good riding" from the shop/team owner as a side comment.

Different vibe. No drinking afterwards, etc. All Roadie. I liked it, but I can't see abandoning "my People" on the Penny Rd Ride. Then again I will get much faster riding the BH ride. So....thinking of doing the Penny Rd on Tuesdays and the BH ride on Thursdays.

....now.....how do I convince Mrs. P that this is something that needs to happen.......hmmmmm

Chicago

So...after the race I took Mrs. P out to celebrate her 30th in downtown Chicago. I made a reservation at the Omni on Michigan Ave (where Oprah put up her guests I hear) and made a reservation at a local fondue establishment.

We made it into town without a hitch and found time to walk a section of the Miracle Mile before heading over to Navy Pier to bask in the other tourists and beer garden. Before I knew it we were eating and trying to pick the perfect wine.

Neither of us is much of a wine follower, but I appreciate a nice wine and know one when I drink one. We ordered what we thought we would like (hard to do when you just don't know) and then headed to the wine tasting this place has on the weekends in their wine cellar.

Luckily we got some time alone with the sommelier (?) to discuss our likes and dislikes and got to sample a wide array of selections. Pretty soon our server came in and informed us the bottle we selected was no longer available. Holy bait and switch batman!

After thinking for a moment our sommelier recommended a Pinot Noir from Failla. Following is my take on a "Runner Susan" wine shot.

It was a great bottle. Finally convinced my wife that Pinot Noir is OK, and that there are other wines outside of Pinot Grigio.

Still....could have used a good Belgian Wheat Ale.

The meal was great and we had time to catch a quick cab back to Navy Pier to watch the fireworks. Good trip. I do love Chicago. There just isn't any other place like it in the midwest.

It was nice to get some time away from little p, but we both started feeling guilty. Who could blame us....

BTW - check out those thighs! He'll be dropping pousers before he can do math. He'll be calling every "Fred" before the 1st grade.

Then again....maybe he lacks that "killer instinct"....

Tour of Oakbrook Road Race

Well...I did pretty much what I expected. Really wasn't planning on doing this race and coming out of a really bad virus at the same time. MJH2, myself, and another teamate (RR) just kind of went out to see what was up.

I got there first thing - 6:33 when registration was set to open at 6:45. Figured I signed up late and wanted to make sure I got a timing chip. You know you are in the rich part of town when they have you parking....PARKING...on the local polo fields. Srsly folks. We had some ferrari as a pace car. Also a Hummer as well.


Turns out I was first in line for registration. Also turns out it was a major cluster. They didn't register me until about 7:30. I was in line at 6:40. By the time I was registered there were about 100-200 people in line waiting behind me. Oh....and I preregistered.

Needless to say they ran late. Major late. They pushed back races, cut laps off of them (no complaints here about that), ran people with the same numbers in the same fields, did 1/2 manual and 1/2 chip timing, had a course official whose motorcycle had broken down....but apart from that it was an awesome race.

By the time we got rolling it was 45 minutes PAST our original start time. I was starving before we even took one pedal stroke. We lined up early to get a front row start. We had decided to be in front for the first turn onto Spring Hill. It worked.

photo evidence: L to R - MJH2, RR, Me...in front. Kit looks good from here.

Colorchange is in the SD jersey behind MJH2's shoulder

I was out front right off the line. MJH2 rode right next to me down York into the "headwind". A couple of times I told him I was blowing up by doing it, but we both held it. We paced the group up the first climbs and our teammate (RR) came around on the top of the big one.

We blocked like a bunch of xXx'rs (local team known for development in the lower cats, great guys that play heavy team tactics in the lower ranks) but RR was looking for someone else to go with.

So we tried something, it worked, but none of us had the juice to make anything stick (which we pretty much knew going in). After that I just floated back. Started to fall off the back in the home straight on the second lap when RJBTrek (another BF'er on Village Cyclesport) yelled at me to grab a wheel and I did. Got me back into the pack - thanks!

Third lap I blew up on Spring. The hills popped me like an over-ripe cherry. I knew it was coming, but hoped I had an extra lap or two. Legs were fine, but the ticker was losing rythm. Looking at stats afterwards my avg HR was something like 180. My max was right when I popped at 193. Seriously folks. You can't make this crap up.

Down the straight I worked up to Scummer and we just shot the crap to the line. We could have caught the pack, but I think both of us wanted our races to be over. It was hot and the long wait and delays before the race had me hurting food wise.

After that I just watched everyone else. MJH2 made it another 2 laps - same as our other teamate. Colorchange did well...like he was always able to. Came in off the back of the pack at the end - loose saddle/seatpost. That's that cheap Cervelo crap for you.Turns out Alien 2 came in 2nd overall and depending on the age of the guy in front he may have won the 40+ group. He's racing 3's over at ABR so.....

Podium for Master 40+ 4/5 - Alien2 on right side in second place. I try to hold his wheel every Tuesday night and he punishes me severely just for trying. BTW - I would have to drop 30 lbs just to match his weight.

As always I am in crap shape, but at least I am in stellar shape compared to last year. I can only hope I can see this much of an improvement again over the next year. Looking forward to more racing.

Just dumped some SERIOUS money on a getaway weekend for the wife for her b-day. Mine is in December. If she understands the depths I went to then I feel a powertap coming on in December.......between that and some weight loss..........I could be dangerous in the spring.

I'm in hell...

An hour of indoor strength intervals last night. Even with as bad as I feel I found I skated through this one....and it was a Spinervals DVD. I typically bomb out on those. It was constant 50X12 (sorry guys, I ride a compact) for the whole thing. 1-legged drills. Seated power. Sprints, off bike lunges....

.... and lung cookies. I hate being sick.

Still hacking this morning, but making it. I needed this to get me ready, at least mentally, for Saturday. Colochange posted a video of the course and it looks like one hill will definitely kill me and I get to climb it 10 times unless I get pulled. I had nightmares about it last night.

For some reason I seem to put on quite a bit of weight right after events only to have it shed off the following week. Example: Before DD last weekend I was 176. When I got home I was 183 or 184. Then slowly each day I just whittled it off. Today...176. Sure it's normal fluctuation and most likely water being restored and then burned off, but it's just weird. Nothing like going on an epic ride and gaining weight at the end and not seeing the results for a week or so.

Oh...and I drastically reduced my caffiene intake starting yesterday as well. Boo.

BTW - WHY IN THE HELL AM I RIDING A TRAINER IN AUGUST!!!!! Trainers suck.

Yuk

I feel like the stuff you find sometimes on the bottom of your shoe that makes you think, "I don't know what the hell that is, but I'm not touching it."

The family has been dealing with a virus for a few weeks. I feel like I am pulling out of the worst point, but I am still a mess. I did the Dairyland Dare with it in full effect, but the stress of the Dare put me over the edge. I have been in a serious funk since then. Add on top of that some business travel - late travel and arrival paired with early meeting and half day travel again - and I am struggling to figure out which side is up.

To top all of this off I have to get to the doc to get my regular Rx filled - something I HATE doing. I have no time and scheduling an appointment is like trying to ask the most popular girl out to the dance. You end up getting a semi-polite appointment at a totally inconvenient time and end up leaving there feeling like you've wasted all your time and were just mildly humored.

I hate healthcare in America. Wife works in the system (RN). She has a Doctor for a sister and the other sister is a nurse as well. Everyone wants to do a better job, but the system seems to never really give them a chance to. Between everyone covering their asses and the occassional individual that just doesn't really know what they're doing....you know where I'm going.

Case in point. I had breathing problems and got bumped around from my primary to a specialist. Specialist needed testing, etc. The total time involved to schedule appointments and get anything done - 6 months. End result - have surgury (nasal polyps). My wife was pregnant at the time so there was no way I was going to take any unecssary risks.

Now that child is 2 1/2. I still have the issue. If I want something done now I will have to start the process all over again. Not to mention if I undergo surgury then I will be laid up for a couple of weeks. So....in order to make sure this happens during the off-season I would have to start this process sometime in July....

....guess I'll wait until next year.

So...what does this mean for Saturday's road race? It means my first event sporting an actual team kit will be a subpar showing. I might have to pull myself to prevent total embarassment to rest of the team who is there.

Pain is what it feels like to get better.......right?

So I went to lunch today...

...and joined a team. I guess I always knew I was joining these guys, but it something else to actually go out and do it. It dawned on me after picking up the kit that I never discussed this with my wife. Not my intention to do that. Hopefully she'll understand. I have a killer weekend planned for her for her birthday (the big 3-0 for her ....ahh....the good old days....) so maybe that might help put her in the right frame of mind for the news.

First race with the team will be this weekend's Oak Brook(?) - It's a road race (check the box that says 'something I am not good at') with 2 "challenging hills" on the circuit (check the second box under something I am not good at) and I'll be racing Masters 30+ 4/5 to boot (trifecta people).

To top all of this off I have been suffering through a really bad virus that has had the whole family laid up bad for the last few weeks. Just keeps hanging on. Oh....and I have to travel for business tonight and will miss the group ride...and I will miss the group ride on Thursday due to some parenting obligations.....

So....looks like trainer intervals tomorrow night and Thursday night late in a vain attempt to maintain some form for the weekend.

What I am doing now is a ritual park of bicycle racing. Some call it "sandbagging". I call it spouting off wimpy excuses. Typically if you hear a rider listing all these reasons why they won't ride well it is likely because they have been doing something new and will either ride better than they ever have before (read, "tear your legs off") or they might ride like crap and want to hedge against that performance with the disclaimers. It usually ends with your legs as bloody stumps in the middle of the road....next to your roasted lungs.

This is cycling. This is what it is about. Posturing, positioning, tactics, ego, etc. Your goal is to inflict pain and crush souls. I only mention this because during the Dairyland Dare aham and I were discussing this in comparison to the culture of running....I'll save that for next time...