Summer finally hit Oregon on Thursday with temperatures in the 90's. The nice part is that summer has lasted for at least three days and might stick around for a little while longer. Late Wednesday night the C and the kids got back into town. It just so happened that summer's arrival was timed with their return. I appreciate them bringing the sun back with them from their Southern adventures. All of them had dark tans and smelled of coconut oil. Well, maybe not the coconut oil but they did have nice tans. I am happy and relieved that they are back safely and the boys survived.
The riding is always better when you don't have all this extra clothing on - like it was this week. I rode every day this week; 6 days in the saddle. Some days had significant miles, others were just a run to/from work. All told, 170+ miles over almost 11 hours of bike time. It was another week of hill work. All the strength training will pay off at the STP and later in the summer. Only two more weeks till the ride. I picked up our packets yesterday and reviewed the ride book - pretty much the same as last year.
This week will be some riding to work, a 4th ride, a JD Hogg special on Saturday, and a route review on Sunday. The last week of preparation will be another one full of miles. Probably a bit more than the recommended 120. Over the last four weeks, I have averaged over 170 miles. For the year, I am averaging over 110 miles a week. Definitely hitting my goal of riding more this year than last. The weight has been stable at 206 for two weeks now but I have phase 2 of the plan to implement. I look forward to next week seeing if it works or not.
It's been fun - See you on the road...
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Underrested
The week finished strong but a little painful. After attending my niece's baptism and lunch, which was a nice family affair thanks to my brother Matt and family, OB12OLD and I hit the road. I wanted to get to 60 but after riding for 25, my legs were screaming at me. There were no hills, no high tempo, some headwind, but nothing noteworthy to cause this pain. Sitting there thinking about what and why, I remembered something I read in Floyd's book. Floyd had the notion that it is a misnomer to say you've overtrained. You are just underrested. This made sense to me. I had ridden a century on Saturday, came home Sunday to an empty house, unable to sleep well. I rode 3 1/2 hours on Monday, got home late Tuesday, rode three 1/2 hours Wednesday, rode 2 hours Thursday, and then another 3 hours on Saturday (OB12OLD was feeling good - he got the "I'll rip your legs off" pace on - he must have smelt blood). All the while, having trouble sleeping and not eating well. I paid the price for all of this during the three hours on Saturday while riding into the headwind.
Being at my parents house on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I got some good food and some decent rest. When I got back here Sunday night, I went to be early. This morning was a different day. I tore up the hills on the way to work, not feeling fatigued. After work, I rode another 2+ hours, on hills and not feeling very fatigued and not eating much either. I felt good. I hope this carries over into tomorrow as I will try to hit 3 hours on the bike again. All told, last week was about 12 hours on the bike, 190+ miles. The 12 hours is more than the time on the bike for the STP. This is a huge mental victory. I am ready now, just polishing it off. I am excited for JD to come on down and spend some time here just hanging on and off the bike. It will be relaxing. Only two more Saturdays of work before the ride. Let's ride!
On another note, the bachelor days are coming to an end. I am so excited to see the C and the kids - only a few more days to go.
Being at my parents house on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I got some good food and some decent rest. When I got back here Sunday night, I went to be early. This morning was a different day. I tore up the hills on the way to work, not feeling fatigued. After work, I rode another 2+ hours, on hills and not feeling very fatigued and not eating much either. I felt good. I hope this carries over into tomorrow as I will try to hit 3 hours on the bike again. All told, last week was about 12 hours on the bike, 190+ miles. The 12 hours is more than the time on the bike for the STP. This is a huge mental victory. I am ready now, just polishing it off. I am excited for JD to come on down and spend some time here just hanging on and off the bike. It will be relaxing. Only two more Saturdays of work before the ride. Let's ride!
On another note, the bachelor days are coming to an end. I am so excited to see the C and the kids - only a few more days to go.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Empathy
As I was riding home last night, up another climb, I have gained empathy for the pros - having to ride hills day in and day out and the toll it takes upon the body. I am reading Floyd's book right now and he is talking about his first TdF. He asks Big George after the first week if the tour is always this hard. George's response is classic, "No, it gets harder." Wow! My legs were semi-toast last night so I only rode 34 miles. I am not exactly where I wanted to be by this time but I am close to my weekly goal of 200. Only a 60 miler on Saturday and I will be over the 200 mile mark for the week. A lot of the preparation for the STP is mental. Being able to hit the 200 mile mark in the week is a big step on being ready for me.
Only three more weeks to the ride.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Humility
Some days you have your legs and on those days, you ride hard, with passion, and smile for all is good. Other days you just suffer and get it done. Still others, you get your legs ripped off like I did today. I hit my stage 1 goal for the week of 50 miles today but it hurt. The first 11 1/2 were into work up Rex hill and Hauggen road. In the afternoon, Rob said let's get crazy and we road up over Gibbs cementary and down North Valley, around Caulkins road and to Rob's house. He just got a new LeMond Zurich. We all know how we feel with a new bike. Yeah, he rode it like he stole it and I got picked up by the bike police. Yeeeoooowwwww! Pain! After the pain, I dropped him off and headed out Wilsonville road and up Coral Creek. I had to get my 50 in but somewhere on Coral Creek I hit the wall and just pedaled to get to the top so I could get home. The road was angry today my friend. Humility...but I live to ride again another day.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Clarity
As I was reviewing my post from yesterday, I realized I neglected to explain the title to the post. For starters, this is not a statement about pent up bowel movements on a long ride while sitting on a small seat.
The plan for the ride was to hang with the BF, get in some good endurance riding, and do some speed work. Mission accomplished. For 65 to 70 miles of the ride, BF and I cruised along together, gabbing and enjoying each other's company. These are special moments for me to be able to spend this time with him - just the two of us doing what we enjoy together. Isn't that what family should be about, being together and enjoying each other?
As we were riding along the middle section of the route, doing some rollers, off to the side of the road was an old barn. It was obviously a working farm as evident from the smell of cow manure. Up on the top of this old barn was a large sign that read "Aged Manure." Showing my ignorance for manure and the importance of the aging process, I made a crack about how can aging manure be important. It is not like it is wine or some other delicacy that requires an aging process. Here is one of those special moments. I was then instructed by the BF on the importance of aging manure - how it can be harmful to plants and soil due to its high ammonia levels and nitrogen scavaging properties. The need is to compost the fresh manure, work it, and age it so that it is an effective soil fertilizer. Wow! I wrote a whole paragraph about aging manure.
The endurance portion is self-explanatory. All of the riding is paying off as I did not suffer as I have on other rides. Another big help was the Moms. She stopped in at the rest stop at mile 55 with Subway - a 6" club, hold the mayo and mustard. It hit the spot and I think helped to fend off that hollow leg/fatiguing feeling in the legs. We got some looks, sitting at the rest stop in chairs, eating a sub, our own SAG (support and gear) wagon. So to Mom, you get the Best Supporting of a Rider non-Rider award. Thanks.
The speed work was a rush and boost at the same time. I was able to hold 20+ MPH over the entire time. Granted, the course was fairly flat but I was working along. Many times, I was in the 22 - 23 MPH range. The boost was passing a lot of people, especially the final 15 miles by the lake. There were a lot of tired folks. I have been there before and know the "get me off this thing" feeling. The legs felt great and I was able to push.
Great ride, great support, and great company along the way.
The plan for the ride was to hang with the BF, get in some good endurance riding, and do some speed work. Mission accomplished. For 65 to 70 miles of the ride, BF and I cruised along together, gabbing and enjoying each other's company. These are special moments for me to be able to spend this time with him - just the two of us doing what we enjoy together. Isn't that what family should be about, being together and enjoying each other?
As we were riding along the middle section of the route, doing some rollers, off to the side of the road was an old barn. It was obviously a working farm as evident from the smell of cow manure. Up on the top of this old barn was a large sign that read "Aged Manure." Showing my ignorance for manure and the importance of the aging process, I made a crack about how can aging manure be important. It is not like it is wine or some other delicacy that requires an aging process. Here is one of those special moments. I was then instructed by the BF on the importance of aging manure - how it can be harmful to plants and soil due to its high ammonia levels and nitrogen scavaging properties. The need is to compost the fresh manure, work it, and age it so that it is an effective soil fertilizer. Wow! I wrote a whole paragraph about aging manure.
The endurance portion is self-explanatory. All of the riding is paying off as I did not suffer as I have on other rides. Another big help was the Moms. She stopped in at the rest stop at mile 55 with Subway - a 6" club, hold the mayo and mustard. It hit the spot and I think helped to fend off that hollow leg/fatiguing feeling in the legs. We got some looks, sitting at the rest stop in chairs, eating a sub, our own SAG (support and gear) wagon. So to Mom, you get the Best Supporting of a Rider non-Rider award. Thanks.
The speed work was a rush and boost at the same time. I was able to hold 20+ MPH over the entire time. Granted, the course was fairly flat but I was working along. Many times, I was in the 22 - 23 MPH range. The boost was passing a lot of people, especially the final 15 miles by the lake. There were a lot of tired folks. I have been there before and know the "get me off this thing" feeling. The legs felt great and I was able to push.
Great ride, great support, and great company along the way.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Aged Manure
It has been a busy week. Riding to work, work itself, mutual, band concert, last day of school, prepping for the family's trip, and prepping for my trip. All a barrel of fun and excitement. Monday night Cassie had her final concert. She did well and I enjoyed being there to be a part of her concert. I rode in to work on Monday, up over Hauggen rode, all 1200 feet of climbing over three miles. Having done this several times over the last few weeks really paid off during the century today. Tuesday was mutual and combined activity - a little get ready to end school party and games. Wednesday - more riding to work and hanging with the C. Thurday - Hauggen road and prepping for the different trips, packing cars, cleaning the house, staying up too late. Friday, the family packed up and left. I am sad that they left for a couple weeks but happy for them that they get to see some family and friends. There is a little jealousy mixed in as well. Friday afternoon, after work, I got in the car and drove to Tacoma. Hung a little bit with my brother and then up to Redmond for a night stay at the hotel.
We got up and got ready to roll. We were on the road by 7:45 AM. We had to wait for it to warm up, relatively speaking. The ride was nice. A couple of hills early on but quite nice. I rode primarily with the BikeFather (BF) but to close out each 50 miles, I did some speed work for 15 to 20 miles. The last 20 of the ride started with a nice climb and then some rollers by the lake and to the finish line. The pay off was the Father's Day present from my mom - a sports massage after the ride. Nice! It really helped to work out the lactic acid. I feel pretty good right now as I sit here and write. All told for the week, 172+ miles. The plan for next week is to ride 150 during the week and get in a nice ride on Saturday to bust the 200 mile mark for the week. No need to be bored at home. I'll just ride.
STP is only four weeks away.
We got up and got ready to roll. We were on the road by 7:45 AM. We had to wait for it to warm up, relatively speaking. The ride was nice. A couple of hills early on but quite nice. I rode primarily with the BikeFather (BF) but to close out each 50 miles, I did some speed work for 15 to 20 miles. The last 20 of the ride started with a nice climb and then some rollers by the lake and to the finish line. The pay off was the Father's Day present from my mom - a sports massage after the ride. Nice! It really helped to work out the lactic acid. I feel pretty good right now as I sit here and write. All told for the week, 172+ miles. The plan for next week is to ride 150 during the week and get in a nice ride on Saturday to bust the 200 mile mark for the week. No need to be bored at home. I'll just ride.
STP is only four weeks away.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Happy Birthday C
Today is the C's birthday. Feel free to wish her a happy day.
Thanks to all family members who reached out to her. It meant a lot to her and to me!
Dangers of Cycling
"A car collides into cyclists participating in a race in Mexico's northern border city of Matamoros, Sunday June 1. At least one person was killed and 14 injured when a driver slammed into a bicycle race." This is crazy! No helmet or safety gear will help in this case. Wow!
Saturday's ride was tough - 80 miles but the week of riding hills to and from the office four times took its toll on the legs. I earned new respect for professional cyclists today. They ride in these multi-day stage races for hundreds of miles. The body takes a beating. Granted, they have a massive support staff an put in the serious training miles as part of a grand training program but their bodies still take a beating and they keep riding through it all. I learned more today about riding through it. All told this week 150+ miles - another new weekly mark for this year. This next week is a bit toned down due to the Flying Wheels Century on Saturday. Even though the STP prep shows 210 is the target, I will not be hitting this mark. I am shooting for 140 and calling it good.
Stay safe and keep on riding just not in Mexico!
Saturday's ride was tough - 80 miles but the week of riding hills to and from the office four times took its toll on the legs. I earned new respect for professional cyclists today. They ride in these multi-day stage races for hundreds of miles. The body takes a beating. Granted, they have a massive support staff an put in the serious training miles as part of a grand training program but their bodies still take a beating and they keep riding through it all. I learned more today about riding through it. All told this week 150+ miles - another new weekly mark for this year. This next week is a bit toned down due to the Flying Wheels Century on Saturday. Even though the STP prep shows 210 is the target, I will not be hitting this mark. I am shooting for 140 and calling it good.
Stay safe and keep on riding just not in Mexico!
Monday, June 2, 2008
....
Six more weeks till the STP and gas is at $4/gallon plus. Seeing both of these items, I decided to start riding to work again several times a week. I started last week and have continued to ride in this week. Getting up and getting on the bike in the morning feels good and even better after the 10 mile commute to Tualatin. It is a wierd sensation but I feel more focused at work. Probably because I want to leave a little bit earlier to get home or the early morning exercise helps me to get things done. What ever it is, I am going to continue to do it till the real rains and cold comes back. Don't get me wrong, I don't ride in every day but the goal is to ride in more than I drive.
It was a good week on the bike - 140+ miles - the most in a single week so far this year. Saturday was a long ride, 85 miles but without any tunes. It was a tough day in the saddle with just me, the road, and .... nothing. So far, I am tracking for more miles this year than last year, in fact, I passed the 2K mark this week for the year. I am on pace for 5K. I don't know if I will get there but it will be close. I have my two week bike camp starting in less than 10 days. Well, it is not an official bike camp. The C is on a pilgrimage right after the kids are out of school, leaving me to conduct my final preparations for the STP. I plan on a couple 200+ mile weeks while she is out. Since the sun stays out till after 9 PM, it will be easy to get in several 3 hour tours during the week and then a century on Saturday.
On another note, Team Astana rider Alberto Contador took the Giro de Italia this weekend in Milan after 21 grueling stages. Levi rode support and helped Alberto win the maglia rosa. Up next, the Tour de France. They have to let in the #1 professional team, especially after the Giro win. The Tour has complained for years that Johann Bruyneel and his teams with Lance focused only on the Tour at the expense of the other grand tours. They forced his hand this year and they performed with only 8 days to prepare. They need to step up and let the #1 pro team with the Tour's defending champ race.
Time to ride....only 130 miles this week for the suggested mileage.
It was a good week on the bike - 140+ miles - the most in a single week so far this year. Saturday was a long ride, 85 miles but without any tunes. It was a tough day in the saddle with just me, the road, and .... nothing. So far, I am tracking for more miles this year than last year, in fact, I passed the 2K mark this week for the year. I am on pace for 5K. I don't know if I will get there but it will be close. I have my two week bike camp starting in less than 10 days. Well, it is not an official bike camp. The C is on a pilgrimage right after the kids are out of school, leaving me to conduct my final preparations for the STP. I plan on a couple 200+ mile weeks while she is out. Since the sun stays out till after 9 PM, it will be easy to get in several 3 hour tours during the week and then a century on Saturday.
On another note, Team Astana rider Alberto Contador took the Giro de Italia this weekend in Milan after 21 grueling stages. Levi rode support and helped Alberto win the maglia rosa. Up next, the Tour de France. They have to let in the #1 professional team, especially after the Giro win. The Tour has complained for years that Johann Bruyneel and his teams with Lance focused only on the Tour at the expense of the other grand tours. They forced his hand this year and they performed with only 8 days to prepare. They need to step up and let the #1 pro team with the Tour's defending champ race.
Time to ride....only 130 miles this week for the suggested mileage.
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