Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Vulture's Knob

Wow...honestly the last time I RACED a mountain bike was October of '05 out in Moab. The only time on trails since was last fall where I got in three trail rides. Soo....I decided this winter/spring I wanted to do the Mohican 100k. Which equals 62 and some change miles of craziness.
The way things worked out, my only trail time so far this year and what looks to be the only trail time before Mohican, was the race at Vulture's Knob this weekend. With little technical skills left, I decided it was best to ride the sport class. That was a wise choice, the bad choice was trying to "race" it. I was fine until I lost my water bottle less than half way into the first lap. Bad thing on a 85 degree plus day. I faded fast...it was 1st to 4th then I ended up 6th. But I felt like I was standing still out there. I actually took time to pick up my lost bottle on the second lap. But the technical skills are coming back and I atleast have the confidence I can ride for 62+ miles this weekend. The weather for this weekend looks awesome. Mid 70's and sunny. I won't complain. We're (my wife Mel, my son Easton, and my mother-in-law Kathy) are camping down there. It should be epic.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

RUDY! RUDY! RUDY!

Nah..those aren't chants out of the famed movie about the Notre Dame football player...those are chants for the awesome Rudy Sroka. He's the guy you stand around the watercooler and refer to as "the man". He was involved in a nasty crash at RATL this past weekend...He has some complicated breaks in his forearm and wrist and could be in a cast for 2-3 months. Hopefully this is one of those cases where the docs are being ultra conservative and underestimate Rudy's healing time. I'm not sure what he's planning on doing about riding for the next couple of months..but he should be fresh for cyclocross season...I wish him the best and a very speedy recovery!!!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Covered Bridge Race #2..as I saw it

I guess I missed a lot of the race. How..I dunno. I felt like I was a part of it more than anything. I spent the first lap getting the cobb webbs and the first race of the season gitters out. Near the end of the first lap a gap had formed and Spin and Stark Velo were sitting on the front setting tempo. So I thought I'd take my chance to see if i could bridge the gap...so at 1 1/2 laps into the race I started my run at it. I was able to bridge the gap about a quarter of the way through the 2nd lap. Mind you...there are 7 laps, 5 miles each, total. So their was 4 of us in the break...and I guess a couple more up the road a little farther whom we never saw again. We passed the start/finish line with 4 laps to go when we we realized Paul Martin and Sean Adams (my teammate) had started to bridge across to us. I felt ok at this point, but when Paul took a pull at 37 mph...I had my worries...I lasted a little more than a full lap after that point...leaving less than 3 laps to go...So I sat up and waited for the peloton...which in short order caught up to me. So I sat in and endured, even having to stop for the lovely train...I finished the race dangling off the back of the spread out peloton; which never really reformed after the train. I felt I had a great...hard workout and a good race. Next week should prove to be easier.

I'm not really sure how things in the Peloton played out while I was up the road in the break away. I heard my teammates did a lot of work and chasing. Which awesome. As a team we didn't so well, so hopefully this week we can be more organized in our attemptes.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Whats up??? The Tempeture!!!

Dang it got hot. In a freagin hurry too. At the early part of last week (on our way home from Boston) it was 40 something degrees. By fiday it was close to 80 and was 86 yesterday...ouch! This weekend was my first taste of racing for the '09 season. I'm happy with my effort. i bridged up to the break away which took roughly 2 1/2 miles to do...by myself. After 10 to 12 miles Paul Martin and Sean Adams bridged up to us. I knew I was in trouble when Paul took a pull at 37 mph near the church....I hung in there for about 5 miles before my legs cried uncle and said its better to live to ride another day. I'm happy with how hard I was able to go, knowing everyone else already has race milage in. Good signs!
I want to wish Rudy a fast recovery from his crash at RATL. He has a broken bone in his forearm and one in his wrist. We'll miss him on the road and will be looking forward to his return to the peloton.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

hmmm..Team Columbus...

So...my good friend Patrick sent me this link (posted below) this morning about the infamous Tym Tyler and his Team Columbus now known as TacoRacing or something like that. I have been very out spoken about Tym Tyler and his races...he never pays out what he is suppose to..err...ummm what he says he's going to and a laundry list of other unsafe practices and do I mention his constant race date changes??

I'm still mixed about going to another one of his events. I don't want to penalize the sport...only the bad apple that is taking advantage of it. He allowed us to race knowing there was no insurance for the race..isn't that the main reason we pay entry fees? He then did not pay out his advertised payouts...again, entry fee? WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO??

I only have one of his races on my calendar this year....other than that I'm not going to race his events. Why should I? I'd rather support a responsible race promoter.

39x12andcounting

Monday, March 23, 2009

3-23-09...original huh?


This weekend included some great riding....I got in some race pace efforts which not only hurt but classicly felt good at the same time...the irony of cycling. We had our TLE training clinic on Saturday, and then a team ride on Sunday.

I was a bit worried though because of my knee..oh yes my knee. Last weekend it was nice out and my son Easton and I were out playing kickball...well one thing led to another and before I knew it I had "damaged" my patellor tendon. I rode the next 3 days...in pain. It felt like it was on fire. Then I took Wed and Thursday off completely and then rode Friday after work, it was just an easy ride, but my knee was pretty much pain free. So I'm ready to roll!!??

Today's the only day its really "bothered" me sense, it doesn't hurt, but just feels annoyed. What to do?? I'll see how tomorrow goes, if it bothers me, I'll take Wednesday off, maybe. I just don't want this to linger around all season...
(i stole the pic from Bill Marut)

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Lake Effect colors run deep

Its been awhile since I've posted...nothing much going on except the day to day grind. I've been getting in some great miles and most have been outside. Yeah! Four days straight outside! Which leads me to my posting today.

The red and black of Team Lake Effect. In my mind as a racer, ever since I started racing, these colors have always brought butterflies to my stomach. Even while on opposing teams I know we always counted the LE riders in the peloton and kept a watchful eye...whether we could do anything about them or not.

Now that I am on TLE, for year 2, I still get those butterflies. Its different though. Its about expectations and the idea of knowing what goes through the other riders minds when they see us wheel the line. Its also the respect the colors give us as individuals. I'm not a great rider compared to some on the team, but I have had my moments. I see myself as one of those riders that nobody counts as a threat and that none of the cat 1 riders see me as significant...but I have a purpose in the peloton. Somehow...

But my experience last night on my ride made me a believer in the power of the Red and Black. Two words...Paul Martin. I was riding on the Parkway and he was going the other way sporting his old Texas Road House kit...but we exchanged waves and a nod. In general this is nothing big. To me, coming from Paul, this was in recignition of the colors I was wearing and representing, not so much me as the rider. I'm sure he has no idea who I am. But he knew the LE colors. I'm proud to be wearing this uinform. It has a long tradition of greatness. I hope to be a valuable member of my team.

oh yeah...
Here is my race calendar!

April:
4th Malabar Farms
25th RATL
26th CVCRTS – (covered bridge race)

May:
2rd RATL
3rd CVCRTS – (covered bridge race)
9th RATL
10th Chippewa
30th Mohican 100 MTB (tentative)

June:
14th State Road Race
21st State TT (tentative)
27th Raccoon Rally – Salamanca NY

July:
Westlake

August:
15th Shreve RR
29th – Valley City RR

Monday, February 9, 2009

Lake Effect hits Brecksville!


Yesterday was my first chance to ride with some the other Lake Effect guys in '09. I'm not sure how far we road as a group. There were 7 of us total. Mike V, Bill and Tony Marut, Rudy and Robert Sroka, Matt Weeks and myself. Tony and Robert are the youngest on the team...and they rock! Its so great to see young blood out there having fun on a bike and challengeing themselves and us...well, ok, the older guys.


I ended up with 67 miles on the day, just under 4 hrs. We only averaged 16.5 mph for the ride. Buts its great saddle time. We got to share some stories and just get to know each other which is nice. Like now I know Matt has a problem having to do with blood and his chamois. I won't go into detail here...but its not pretty. I also didn't know that Matt raced mountain bikes. We got to hear how Rudy met Paul Martin...It all goes towards helping us ride better together when the season comes. I can't wait to start racing..but I'm still working on getting down to race weight. I'll be there..hopefully sooner than later!
Thanks to Bill Marut for the picture...thus he's not in it. But going left to right we have Mike V. Robert Sroka, Tony Marut, me, Rudy Sroke and Matt Weeks peaking his around the back of Rudy.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

East-Side represents!

So the first official ride in the east side indoor training series held at Team Energetics off of Wilson Mills road went off without a hitch last night. Janet and Tim...um..he has no last name...did a great job at finding a sweet venue. There were 12 that showed up to ride. We got in a kick ass 2 hour strength and endurance workout. I think most everyone that was there were CTC members. But everyone is welcome to head out and ride...just go to the CTC website for info. I'm glad to be apart of this thing representing Bike Authority and Team Lake Effect.

On a personal note...my training got stepped up another notch this week. I'm feeling it a bit in the legs today. But its all good! So I guess the State championship race is in June this year...guess where! you got it! Caesars Creek....hmmmmmph....

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Team Lake Effect

So we had our '09 season kick off meeting last night hosted by Bike Authority. It was great to see everyone without a helmet and shades on and see their faces rather than their spandex'd up ass. We have a broader team this season. With my plans of doing more Westlake races and well, more races in general, this should be a great season. I've been kicking around the idea of doing the Mohican 100k. Just kickin right now...but I may just do it.
I'm also teaming up with Janet Edwards, a fellow TLE rider and CTC member, for her indoor training rides on the east side on Tuesday nights. (if you need more info, just ask). This will be great exposure for the team and for BA.
On a training note...things are going well. I have another power test this week and I'm looking forward to see if and how much I've improved. until then...the Ghost is out!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

its been a while...

So it's been a while since I've posted anything important. I've been riding...despite moving and being sick all since the start of the year. I'm just now beginning to feel close to normal energy levels. I feel I've been riding strong and the weight I gained in the down time is starting to drop off...slowly. It just doesn't fall off like it use to.

It's nice to be in house again. I know with the added responsibilities...shoveling snow, yard work and the such, I'll have a little more stress on my body and time. But its all worth it. I can't wait to see how the new location effects my ride destinations this summer. I've already been riding more to the east of Rt. 8...away from the valley. maybe i can head more north into the Chagrin Valley for some rides. It should be fun. Al I know, is that I have to ride harder than ever.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Big Target

I’m standing in line…next in line, so I had just put my DD coffee and powerbar protein bars down on the belt…the lady in front of my was fishing around in her wallet for correct change…the cute cashier girl was just standing there looking out side and noted out loud that it had just started to snow. This took the attention of everyone in the two open checkout lines to the doors…enter the Target employee that was bringing in the carts from the parking lot. Just as someone in the line at the register next to mine commented on “how its better to have snow than the ice we had last night”, the cart lady walks out from behind all of the carts and begins to walk in front of us all towards the employee door next to the Starbucks…as she does this, she unzips her coat.

Now this fine specimen of a woman…weighing in at about 350 pounds and roughly 5’-6” in height changed my life forever. As most horizontally challenged women are she was well endowed. And as a good Target employee she had on her company issue red T-shirt…a t-shirt that was, well…about 8” too short. This put in full site the glow of her stomach roll from the top of her pants up past her black hole of a naval to the shadows cast by her large sagging breasts. But this woman paid no mind to the free show she was giving everyone. Not too mention the cold rush of winter air that had rushed in behind her and the carts she no doubt had to feel on her open acreage of skin.

So out of respect for the, well…the fat, everyone in the two checkout lines quickly looked away and continued on with what they were doing. The mood had changed; the room was ready to burst. You can now taste the uneasiness. It’s a train wreck and you can’t stop what is unfolding in front you…Though I try, I can’t take my eyes of the glowing whiteness of what appears to be one of several abdominal areas…I’m a deer in caught in head lights and the silence is deafening…As the handful of customers and Target employees that surround me recover from the horror we just witnessed the woman makes her way closer to the employees only area.

So without thinking I said….”They make bigger shirts, right?” and evidently, this wasn’t to myself…I’ve never heard the tension snap in a room so fast and so loud….The cashiers were on the floor laughing, the lady in front of me was bright red with her face buried in her purse, and the store manager was running at full sprint after the spectacle to get her off the floor as fast as possible…


That’s my story….i will laugh about that for years…