First of all know two things about this day:
1. I was playing hurt
2. Freakish wind
Memorial Day saw me twist and turn and bend with ax, saw, pole saw and various cutting tools in hand as I cleared brush from our lake place for a couple of hours longer than I should have.
I awoke today sore in places I didn't know I had. But the worst was a barking left hammy. Looking outside the wind was gusting and the forecast was for storms by afternoon.
But I had coordinated a small group to ride today, as 'der Jan' and 'Pack Yak' Rich were to meet me at eleven. Hammy be damned. Forecast be damned. We met. We rode.
Clouds, some hazy sun at times
Windy, warm and humid
80-ish with winds 15-20 mph
Wales and back/40 miles
Rich had never taken the route to Wales with me, so despite dark clouds freaking me out as usual and der Jan calling me a baby as usual, we headed west to show Rich that wonderful route.
On the way out we saw the most awesome turtle ever. The thing was huge, with a tail that looked like it should be on a small dinosaur. I've never seen a turtle that big. But there it was just sitting on the side of the path.
Only a few raindrops at the turn around in Wales and we quickly headed back. Then on the way back we saw another turtle, this one much smaller than the first but still a pretty good sized one.
The third turtle was of course me, although I will say I played through some pain and did 40 miles with a trick hammy and a sore body. Those two started picking up the pace on the way back and I knew that would happen. 18..19...20....21....22.....I'm out, dropped off the back with no spunk in the legs to chase.
Later we did a nice pace line section on the NB trail. I always like doing a pace line and in this case was even able to take a few turns on the front. But for much of this ride I was firmly planted on the wheel of Rich. I also can really appreciate riding with a couple of veteran cyclists whom you can trust to ride inches from on the road.
No Wed. ride because I will be at a media day event at the Milwaukee Mile to interview some of the drivers from the Indy 500 who will be in town on Father's Day weekend for a race here.
You can hear whatever interviews I do on the Thursday PhilCast show.
Season Miles: 818
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Guess what crossed the road?
So any guesses?
After a week off the bike due to some hellish spring weather I finally got a ride in today.
Sun
61 degrees
Wind NE 10-15
Three Bridges route, 35 miles
On the way out I happened to just in time catch something out of the corner of my eye. Some sort of animal was crossing the road. Before I knew it I had to hit my brakes pretty hard to avoid smacking the stupid thing. It was an opossum. Those things have to be the dumbest animal out there. It never looked at me and never hurried...just kept going in his own little world. And man...that bare rat-like tail is gross. I'm glad I didn't take the thing out, not because there would be one less opossum in the world but because it would have messed up my bike!
On the path out there was also a funny moment when this little girl, no more than 5-6 years old, who was riding a little tiny bike out there with her mom said to me, "Nice bike." The little kid said that! Kinda cool.
I decided that despite the fact that I would be going into the NE wind on the way back that I would make the loop rather than take the same path home. This means some climbing into the wind, including the hill at the Franklin Correctional Center, where, as usual, I hummed "I'm Free" by the Who as I rode past the barbed-wire fences.
No issues on this ride, but it is clear that I am way out of shape for this time of year and far behind where I was last season at this time. Baby steps.
Happy Memorial Day weekend and thanks to all who have served our great country. No riding planned for me until Tuesday of next week.
Season Miles: 778
After a week off the bike due to some hellish spring weather I finally got a ride in today.
Sun
61 degrees
Wind NE 10-15
Three Bridges route, 35 miles
On the way out I happened to just in time catch something out of the corner of my eye. Some sort of animal was crossing the road. Before I knew it I had to hit my brakes pretty hard to avoid smacking the stupid thing. It was an opossum. Those things have to be the dumbest animal out there. It never looked at me and never hurried...just kept going in his own little world. And man...that bare rat-like tail is gross. I'm glad I didn't take the thing out, not because there would be one less opossum in the world but because it would have messed up my bike!
On the path out there was also a funny moment when this little girl, no more than 5-6 years old, who was riding a little tiny bike out there with her mom said to me, "Nice bike." The little kid said that! Kinda cool.
I decided that despite the fact that I would be going into the NE wind on the way back that I would make the loop rather than take the same path home. This means some climbing into the wind, including the hill at the Franklin Correctional Center, where, as usual, I hummed "I'm Free" by the Who as I rode past the barbed-wire fences.
No issues on this ride, but it is clear that I am way out of shape for this time of year and far behind where I was last season at this time. Baby steps.
Happy Memorial Day weekend and thanks to all who have served our great country. No riding planned for me until Tuesday of next week.
Season Miles: 778
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Lunch of champions
The plan today was to get two things out of a ride on a nice-weather Friday:
1. Let my lily-white winter skin soak up some sun for three hours.
2. Just spin out my sore, tired legs from yesterday's hard climbing workout.
So with the Madone in the shop I pulled out the backup Klein and headed out for the lunch of champions. Ride to Wales where I would pull out my PB&J, banana and granola bar and sit on a bench in the sun for lunch.
Heading out I had thoughts of cutting it short. It was clear that the wind was once again at my back, blowing 10-12 off the lake from the east. This means tailwind out and headwind back. Not ideal, but at least the ride heading west to Wales is a slight false-flat uphill, meaning although I would be coming home into the wind at least it would be slightly downhill for a time.
The Glacial-Drumlin trail has now filled in creating a beautiful canopy of trees. Combine that with the bushes on the sides that are now in bloom and you get a sense of riding in a lush green tunnel. If you have not been out there do yourself a favor on a sunny day and enjoy the view.
I enjoyed my lunch in the sunshine and headed back.
The first part was fine. But the stretch from Waukesha to Greenfield Park on the New Berlin trail can be brutal when the wind is in your face and your legs feel like jello. That stretch was a challenge to just keep going. My legs were really shot.
In fact last night when I got up out of my chair to go to bed my left thigh just locked up in an insane cramp. There was no way that I could twist or turn to alleviate the terrible pain and spasms. I guess I over did it on the climbing yesterday!
So keeping that in mind I figure I did pretty good to put in 41 miles less than 24 hours later.
Sunshine
71 degrees
Wind 6-12, east off lake
Wales, 41 miles
No riding planned for this weekend, with rain in the forecast and other things to accomplish. That's fine. My legs need a rest anyway now.
Madone is ready. The noise was just the need for the crank to be tightened to spec. Nothing serious and we'll be good to go with her next week.
Season Miles: 743
1. Let my lily-white winter skin soak up some sun for three hours.
2. Just spin out my sore, tired legs from yesterday's hard climbing workout.
So with the Madone in the shop I pulled out the backup Klein and headed out for the lunch of champions. Ride to Wales where I would pull out my PB&J, banana and granola bar and sit on a bench in the sun for lunch.
Heading out I had thoughts of cutting it short. It was clear that the wind was once again at my back, blowing 10-12 off the lake from the east. This means tailwind out and headwind back. Not ideal, but at least the ride heading west to Wales is a slight false-flat uphill, meaning although I would be coming home into the wind at least it would be slightly downhill for a time.
The Glacial-Drumlin trail has now filled in creating a beautiful canopy of trees. Combine that with the bushes on the sides that are now in bloom and you get a sense of riding in a lush green tunnel. If you have not been out there do yourself a favor on a sunny day and enjoy the view.
I enjoyed my lunch in the sunshine and headed back.
The first part was fine. But the stretch from Waukesha to Greenfield Park on the New Berlin trail can be brutal when the wind is in your face and your legs feel like jello. That stretch was a challenge to just keep going. My legs were really shot.
In fact last night when I got up out of my chair to go to bed my left thigh just locked up in an insane cramp. There was no way that I could twist or turn to alleviate the terrible pain and spasms. I guess I over did it on the climbing yesterday!
So keeping that in mind I figure I did pretty good to put in 41 miles less than 24 hours later.
Sunshine
71 degrees
Wind 6-12, east off lake
Wales, 41 miles
No riding planned for this weekend, with rain in the forecast and other things to accomplish. That's fine. My legs need a rest anyway now.
Madone is ready. The noise was just the need for the crank to be tightened to spec. Nothing serious and we'll be good to go with her next week.
Season Miles: 743
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Inspired by Chris Horner and Matthew Busche
As I type this ride report I am watching Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California. And it was Stage 4 on Wednesday that really inspired me to go out in a hard effort today and here is the story.
Seeing one of my favorite pro riders Chris Horner just hammer it up the final climb of Sierra Rd. leaving everyone, even his teammate Levi behind was such a treat to watch.
And even better was the fact that my friend and neighbor Matthew was looking awesome in the limelight. No shortage of face time on Versus TV for Matty Hollywood as I call him now, as he pulled the team up a climb. After the victory Chris even mentioned all the hard work Matt put in on the stage.
It inspired me to do some climbing today in Whitnall Park, where I turned 10 laps. And for the occasion I even wore the Amgen ToC socks and jersey that I bought while at the TT in L.A. last year.
Partly Sunny
68 degrees
Wind 6-12
36 miles, 10 laps Whitnall Crit
But before I started the laps I put in a hard turn on the way to the park. Some guy with two bags draped over his back wheel, a hi-viz vest and no helmet passed me. The thought occurred to me, why would someone be concerned enough about safety to wear a vest like that but NOT be wearing a helmet?
Well, for whatever reason he rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like how he kind of fast-rolled through a stop sign to go around me on the left. Usually that's no biggie with me. But he hit a nerve today and I figured no guy with a bagged bike and no helmet was going to pass me right now.
I got busy.
I felt strong.
I passed him, then picked up my tempo even more.
As I cranked it out at one point I closed my eyes for a flash and saw myself pulling Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer. I can only imagine doing it. Matty Hollywood from down the street IS doing it! Wow. So cool.
At Whitnall Park, where the last of the flowering crab trees are looking beautiful (as are the tulips) each lap features three hills. The first is sharp, steep and it hurts. After that there is no downhill reward either. After a short flat comes hill #2, a longer, more drawn out climb that comes when you are still tired from the first pop.
Then, after a bit of a break, the final climb on the second half comes. It's not as bad as the 1-2 punch on the front half of the lap.
After 10 laps I stopped at Botanical Gardens HQ to fill my water bottle, eat a banana and a granola bar, then head back.
On the way back my bottom bracket started making a loud creaking noise, almost like microwave popcorn popping. Something wasn't right. So as soon as I got home I showered and then took the machine down to Rainbow Jersey where they will take it apart and give me a report.
At least they heard the noise too when the mechanic tested the bike in their parking lot. We'll see what's up and I'll have an update here.
So it looks like the backup Klein will get called into action for a Friday ride.
Season Miles: 702
Seeing one of my favorite pro riders Chris Horner just hammer it up the final climb of Sierra Rd. leaving everyone, even his teammate Levi behind was such a treat to watch.
And even better was the fact that my friend and neighbor Matthew was looking awesome in the limelight. No shortage of face time on Versus TV for Matty Hollywood as I call him now, as he pulled the team up a climb. After the victory Chris even mentioned all the hard work Matt put in on the stage.
It inspired me to do some climbing today in Whitnall Park, where I turned 10 laps. And for the occasion I even wore the Amgen ToC socks and jersey that I bought while at the TT in L.A. last year.
Partly Sunny
68 degrees
Wind 6-12
36 miles, 10 laps Whitnall Crit
But before I started the laps I put in a hard turn on the way to the park. Some guy with two bags draped over his back wheel, a hi-viz vest and no helmet passed me. The thought occurred to me, why would someone be concerned enough about safety to wear a vest like that but NOT be wearing a helmet?
Well, for whatever reason he rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like how he kind of fast-rolled through a stop sign to go around me on the left. Usually that's no biggie with me. But he hit a nerve today and I figured no guy with a bagged bike and no helmet was going to pass me right now.
I got busy.
I felt strong.
I passed him, then picked up my tempo even more.
As I cranked it out at one point I closed my eyes for a flash and saw myself pulling Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer. I can only imagine doing it. Matty Hollywood from down the street IS doing it! Wow. So cool.
At Whitnall Park, where the last of the flowering crab trees are looking beautiful (as are the tulips) each lap features three hills. The first is sharp, steep and it hurts. After that there is no downhill reward either. After a short flat comes hill #2, a longer, more drawn out climb that comes when you are still tired from the first pop.
Then, after a bit of a break, the final climb on the second half comes. It's not as bad as the 1-2 punch on the front half of the lap.
After 10 laps I stopped at Botanical Gardens HQ to fill my water bottle, eat a banana and a granola bar, then head back.
On the way back my bottom bracket started making a loud creaking noise, almost like microwave popcorn popping. Something wasn't right. So as soon as I got home I showered and then took the machine down to Rainbow Jersey where they will take it apart and give me a report.
At least they heard the noise too when the mechanic tested the bike in their parking lot. We'll see what's up and I'll have an update here.
So it looks like the backup Klein will get called into action for a Friday ride.
Season Miles: 702
Monday, May 16, 2011
Tire testing
There is at least one thing you need to know about me as you read these posts; Me and changes to my bike get along like gas and fire. It's volatile and should be avoided.
Trouble is when I took my Madone in for a spring cleaning and checkup I had Rainbow Jersey slap a fresh set of rubber on for the season. The tires I have come to like so much are no longer made by Schwalbe. Instead I was told about the new model that is most like the ones I had grown so used to.
Today when I got my bike back I simply had to go out, even if it was brief, to test these new tires.
To my surprise they felt great.
Sunny
Windy, 15-20 mph
Cool, 52 degrees
Elm Grove Crit, 5 laps, 17 miles
The change of rubber on the road passed the test with flying colors. The only issue I had was with my Flighdeck computer, which at first failed to show on the digital display which ring and which gear I was in. This seemed to lock up the entire computer, which, needless to say had me frustrated.
But about a mile into the ride it started flashing and showing gear changes that I wasn't making. It was as if a ghost had taken over. Every button I pushed while riding couldn't stop the madness. But then it happened.
The computer seemed to re-set itself and suddenly all the displays were proper and in working order.
Ahhhh, now life is back to normal.
All I need now would be a little warm air to filter in this week to make it seem more like spring riding season.
Season Miles: 663
Trouble is when I took my Madone in for a spring cleaning and checkup I had Rainbow Jersey slap a fresh set of rubber on for the season. The tires I have come to like so much are no longer made by Schwalbe. Instead I was told about the new model that is most like the ones I had grown so used to.
Today when I got my bike back I simply had to go out, even if it was brief, to test these new tires.
To my surprise they felt great.
Sunny
Windy, 15-20 mph
Cool, 52 degrees
Elm Grove Crit, 5 laps, 17 miles
The change of rubber on the road passed the test with flying colors. The only issue I had was with my Flighdeck computer, which at first failed to show on the digital display which ring and which gear I was in. This seemed to lock up the entire computer, which, needless to say had me frustrated.
But about a mile into the ride it started flashing and showing gear changes that I wasn't making. It was as if a ghost had taken over. Every button I pushed while riding couldn't stop the madness. But then it happened.
The computer seemed to re-set itself and suddenly all the displays were proper and in working order.
Ahhhh, now life is back to normal.
All I need now would be a little warm air to filter in this week to make it seem more like spring riding season.
Season Miles: 663
646
Correction--Thanks to someone who left a comment earlier for me to check my math. I hit a '7' instead of a '6' a couple of posts back making my season miles total off by a hundred.
All is well with the world now that we know I have only ridden 646 miles so far this lousy-weather spring.
All is well with the world now that we know I have only ridden 646 miles so far this lousy-weather spring.
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