Hot and Jet Lagged

So recovery begins a little slowly. I did a forty-five minute ride on the 6000 Saturday after lawn-work, a cheeseburger (thank God for American food and ice) and a nap. Sunday I woke up feeling good so I decided to head out for 25 before hitting training hard prior to Mountain Mama. I ended up doing 33 and finished in a puddle of sweat.

I know, Share the Road. Same Rules. Same Rights. But as I approached the toll booth for the Causeway I slowed at a red light, no cars so I went on. The toll keeper steps out and waves me down. S**t! busted for that? She wanted to tell me that they put in a "sidewalk" for cyclists to go past the toll. It is actually about 6 feet of curbed pavement with two 90º turns. That means going from 15-20 m.p.h. to 2 and starting the ascent. Sucks. I hope to ignore it in the future.

Heart rate was high again. Up to 212 at one point and the average with a cool down was 158 bpm. Thinking most of it is due to heat. We'll see, I get a Holter monitor later this month.

Two positives were being the "rabbit" and getting passed. I later caught up to a guy named Peter and we rode and chatted for a while. He does the same basic route I do weekly.

Hot, tired and sleepy I rested the bulk of the day watching Olympic Trials, wishing I had the thighs of a 14 year old gymnast and proud that I had a bigger chest. Saw Italy get beat in a shoot out and the end of the Tour de Suisse. Staying indoors felt great.



Here is a picture from the trip right outside our first hotel in Rome. It is the old wall built by Emperor Constantine in the year 400... still standing. Try that in modern times.

Back In The Saddle

Been out of town for the last ten days -- Nifi and I traveled to Italy. While I did not come home with that Italian frame, I did come back with great memories and souvenirs --the best of which are new found friends!

I will be back to biking soon and I will include some images and tid-bits on our travels.

Spin On

Chasing Rabbits

This weekend's training log began on the stationery bike in the RankRoom™ due to heavy downpours -- typical for our sub-tropic environment. Got in a good hour spin starting with a warm-up, consistently gearing up every ten minutes then a cool down.

Saturday was up early for Spin Class. I took a good long warm-up before class started. Once it began so did my heart rate issues. I spiked to 236 at one point but it would drop back to a normal to high level. Recovery seems to come quickly though. I am scheduled to get a Holter Monitor at the end of the month to see what's up.

Errands and yard work into the heat of the day, then a long nap. Felt sinfully good:)

Sunday was up with the girls and prepping for a ride. I was scheduled for 60 but with having to come into work, chores and pending travel, I felt it best to cut back. I did 35 with a two mile cool down. Felt pretty good. I had a nice tailwind for 20 miles and kept a good pace back into the wind home.

I used this ride to "chase rabbits", i.e. other cyclists. Can't say it was all that effective since they were mainly tourists or dads towing kids on third wheels. Plus my new rear LED light popped off on a decent and I had to do a repair on the road. Errg.

Today is a rest day, tomorrow weights.

Spin On

Jersey

Took a few cues from Rock Racing with the Carbon. Color theme remains about the same as the past. Included some inside jokes, like the No Pussies Chimay Kitty and the side panel caffeine molecule.

Spin On

Reveling in Routine

Ready for the weekend. Last week was short, included a fun ride and good friends making this week seem a little long. Not much on the docket, Spin class, errands, yard work, Belgian ales and a longish ride Sunday hopefully.

Tickled that the '08 Team R2R jerseys came in -- personally, I think they look great. I appreciate all the insights from the Team in helping make it look it's best. Now time to start thinking about '09 and more swag!

Spin On

Quick Spin

Got in a quick 14 last night before the afternoon rains set in. We really need the rain. Brown lawns, muck on fire in Lake "O", hot. It is very cleansing to the soul as well. I could do without the lightening though. Shakes the house and startles the Bejeezus out of you.

So the source of my loose bearings was the bottom of the headset. What were to be sealed Crane Creek bearings busted open. While I am not happy with the Trek's manufacture (I also had a bad bottom bracket some of you might recall) I think this might have been due to travel and awkward stresses on the down tube. Alvelo slapped a quick fix on it in the morning, I got it a lunch and will wait for the new part to come in before but it is fine to ride.

Been looking at Italian frames and found a cool site. Take a look:)

Spin On

I'm Shiflexic

Thanks to Jim at EMCC for getting the Ride 2 The Rescue site back up and running!

Here are a few more random thoughts from the weekend C&G ride.

First, I annoy myself with continually shifting in the wrong direction. Big right lever, big gear. Small right lever, small gear. Nearly every time I readied a climb or prepared for a decent I fired the shifters the wrong way -- especially annoying on the climbs. All the noise (chain slap, grunting, swearing and groaning) made me sound like bad porn... really bad porn.

Second, may apologies to a rider I inadvertently got inside of at a stop sign -- thought we were clear. Payback was a long and dirty look. Also a faux pax of coasting to the front of the pack at a stop sign instead of holding my position. My only defense is that I am new to the group ride thing. I'll know better next time.

Lastly, the trip continues to cost me. As I rebuilt my bike last night and readied the case to store I noted 1, 2, 3 no 4, crap 5! bearings in the box. I assume it is from the headset being lose but it is in to the shop this morning for a once over.

This is becoming an expensive hobby. The Pinarello might have to wait a while longer.

Spin On