On Your Mark...

The Mountain Mama is calling even louder now -- just two days away. If you're not ready now...

Meals are planned, half a suitcase of suppliments are packed, gear and more gear.

Safe and healthy travels, all.

Pedal and paddle

Arrivee

The Tour is over, congrats to Discovery! My training is about over for the MM event. I have tried all the suppliments, fitted my machine the best I can and put most of the training miles behind me now. I have begun to taper my schedule a bit. Did a solo 45 Sunday at a good clip. Started and ended in some rain, but it kept the humidity down and me a little cooler. Now my challenge is to just stay healthy and avoid getting a bug.

Thanks to all who have donated to R2R and for the great sharing of information. I hope both continue to grow as I begin getting ready, dare I say, for the next Century.

Pedal and Paddle

Tour De Farce?

It is a sad state when the tour top contenders all get dropped for use (or alleged use) of performance enhancing drugs. In what is undoubtedly one of the most grueling competitions in sport honest athletes now have to worry about defending their title in the court as well as the public eye. While I am excited to see Team Discovery move ahead, I wish it was not by default. Perhaps Le Tour should go back to it's humble beginnings... an organized pub crawl.

My 2¢

No Show Mojo

Any suggestions on a good taper workout schedule? I had a rest day Monday and was to train this morning but the alarm and wheels just flew off. I had signs of over-training Sunday and think my system wants the rest.

Any info would be appreciated.

As for equipment changes, since I have a warranty issue I think I might upgrade to a carbon Bontrager crank. Yummy.

Pedal and Paddle

Things I learned This Weekend

First, no matter how good the ride feels, it feels good to get off. Rode 23 Friday, 24 Saturday then 66 on Sunday. The long ride felt good, not as uncomfortable as last time. No hills, but I agree that they will be more mental then anything. Plus being a flat-lander I think there is benefit to constant cranking without a decent.

Still having a little trouble with the machine. I did learn that my derailleur has a "trim" setting that makes a short adjustment to eliminate chain slap. I also learned that they discontiued the system and if you don't downshift precisely your chain falls off. Back to the shop again. One tip for the carbon fiber folks -- once a month lift and twist your seat post. Apparently the sweat and oils get in the seat tube and "fuse" it in place. By lifting and turning the seat (mark it's position with tape, first) you avoid the problem.

I should either buy a pair of Bifoakleys or attach my clip on mirror to a 3' dowel. I spent more time twisting my neck trying to see the lens that was too close without readers.

Monterey is getting closer -- keep up the training and the info!

Pedal and Paddle

Bumps In The Road

Okay, it has been a few days off the Blog and the training. Up 22 hours traveling and meeting in Chicago my system said "WHOA!" Got some rest and feeling human again.

Bike is back thanks to Al at the Bike Route www.thebikeroute.com. Headset spacer, rebuilt bottom bracket and a call to Trek for a warranty claim and I'm good to go. Now I just have to go. Riding this weekend despite oppressive temps.

Bob, send me the article please, sounds interesting. I am going to order more FRS for recovery and some gels from Accelerade to compare to Hammer.

All the chemistry aside, it will be the miles that make the difference.

Happy Friday!

Steady Riding Diet

Riding is supposed to be a hobby, right? I have to keep reminding myself that this is for fun and not to stress when I can't hit the road "on schedule". My trusty steed is in the shop getting the afore mentioned problems fixed -- minor adjustment they tell me. Work has been very busy and taken the forefront over many things -- including training. I hope to hit it again tonight. I think the rest may be good for my knee in any event.

Bob, thanks for the "sugar" research. Unfortunately science was never my strong suit. I thought the periodic table was well designed from a graphic stand point but it defied me mentally. My only concern about extra weight comes from a long-haul perspective. While I am within my BMI range, I could be a little lighter. I figure 5 pounds multiplied by 100 miles is a quarter ton of weight I do not need to lug up hills. I have leveled out now and think that is where I will land for the MM.

Thanks again for the research!!