Coffee Break

As I sit at my desk sipping hours old Folders Drip Grind, I hope my BiS team members will think of and toast us shakled to the office with a good coffee (or Belgian ale) after riding the NC coast. Enjoy the beverages, the riding and the time away from the cubicle.

See you at the finish.

Dogs In Heat

Training in the high temps is taking it's toll. I trained inside hard on Friday, 16/:52. It made the Saturday morning ride more like a recovery day. The heat and humidity were inching up with every mile. Add to that some yard work and outdoor chores it was obvious that the distance ride for Sunday was going to get called off. Instead I took the time to clean bikes, prepare suppliments and nutrition, sleep and stay cool. I read an article in Road Bike Weekly that said it takes 6 to 8 weeks to recover from heat exaustion. Maybe I never quite hit that point, but I never quite escape it either.

I am a "Master-Bidder" now. Thanks to some savvy bidding techniques on Ebay I have scored a carbon triple and triple front deraileur. I am waiting to see what Trek will do for the warranty work -- hopefully I can get some relief on triple shifters.

Hope all are well and your training efforts for Seagull are coming along. I will keep you posted on jerseys. KPS is all over shorts (not white).

Keep on spinnin'

A Little Spin

Work and weather allowed so I got out for a little spin last night for about an hour. Though my training hasn't been to the level I would hope for, as Jason Mahokey at http://soiledchamois.blogspot.com said, it keeps my "meat sticks" from turning into sticks of butter. Lots of head wind yesterday which is oddly a challenge like hills, but different. It does raise the heart rate and ping the legs.

Team jersey's sould be in process by now -- hopefully we will be "geared up" by Seagull.

K-Spun suggested matching socks and shorts. I looked at sockguy.com but no dog oriented designs. They do custom as well but time is short.

Gotta Go

Still Feelin' It

Wow! I guess I did myself in on Sunday. Still feeling the effects of the ride with over-training symptoms. I can't tell if the chest ache is from muscle (like heart muscle) or ligaments. Stress hits me that way too. I did note some salt on my shorts after I finshed -- what was the electrolyte pill link? In any event, tonight is off for meeting anyway.

Bike is all clean and ready to go -- when ever I am.

Really looking forward to pushing the Team R2R concepts. I will work out some stickers for our rides (four and two wheel).

More later.

Training resumed last week. I wanted to take a week of two off but mind, body and the pending Seagull Century wouldn't allow it. Friday was to be riding day, but the body/mind said "no." Saturday I got a little later then wanted start and just did 14 of 16 but the heat had really cranked up. I am still feeling the effects of yesterdays 40/2:25 ride with Mark H. We took it out well and had a consistently good ride. The way back was rough. Headwind all the way. I was feeling a bonk coming on -- glad we stopped when we did. The way out was cool and comfortable and I know I did not hydrate enough. Started cramping a little at 25 miles. I felt bad because Mark was feeling strong and thinking about his racing days. But, like a real team member, he found a gear that allowed me to keep up. Thanks! Maybe Mama beat me more then I thought!

I have to re-evaluate my heart monitor settings. I should be at 175 bpm for my max according the the book. I think I am a little higher. I ran between 174 and 177 for ten miles. Like Mark said, that is eather really good or really ineffcient. I feel like I have squirrel heart beating in my chest! Anyway, today is a rest day as I await the arrival of my ebay purchase, a carbon Botnrager triple crank, new in box for a steal of a deal.

Spin on.

What Doesn't Kill Ya...

Had a great ride last night. Temps were low (83º) due to overcast skies all day. Did 18/1:07. I pushed a few simulated "hills" by kicking it to the highest gear and evenly cranking.

Mama threw some crap at me/us but we survived and I think my legs are stronger for the effort.

I am looking at switching out my 53/39 for a triple 52/42/30. Ebay is my helper with a whole new carbon crank, shimano levers and front deraillure. I'll accept opinions.

Spin on!

I Got A Fever

In the words of Christopher Walken on SNL "I got a fever and the cure call for more cow bells." Well okay, mine calls for more bike parts. I took my ride in for warranty repair and ended up with a new Bontrager X Lite Race saddle and carry-all bag. THe saddle is carbon based with the "labiator" slot down the center on hollow titanium rails. My first ride Sunday was a wee bit uncomfortable at the start but I settled in as the heat pain replaced the a** pain. A little more time and we should both be fine.
Also looking at a carbon compact drive on ebay. After the abuse "Mama" threw at me, any weapon I can put in my arsenal is worth exploring.

Trying to get back in a routine for Seagull -- sign up soon!!

Pedal & Paddle