Lago Vista/Spring Classic/News

Many apologies for the late arrival of this update. I have been very busy training for the upcoming Fort Davis Hammerfest and following Lance Armstrong's Twitter posts.

Lago Vista (2/28) was the most enjoyable race of the year so far. The lumpy, five-mile circuit offered many opportunities for attacks in the always nervous Cat 4 peleton. The first half of the course was mostly a long false flat with a couple of uphill punches until we reached the lago vista (lake view) and came roller-coastering down to the start-finish line. The cross-winds on the descents were always tense.

We let a Texas Tech rider go solo off the front on the second of eight laps. It was a pretty windy day, so nobody was really worried about him staying away as long as he was in sight. Still, after about three laps, he didn't seem to be getting tired, so I tried a little solo move of my own on one of the uphills to stretch out the legs and see if I might bridge up. No luck, though, as the group reacted quickly and swallowed me back up after a few hundred meters.

So I sat back and chatted with my teammates about embrocation and the discotheques we'd be attending to commemorate our inevitable victory.

After another couple of laps, it became obvious that the lone breakaway artist was being aided by a couple of teammates in the field who would block the group whenever it began to speed up in pursuit. Once again, I moved to the front of the pack and called for the others to come around the two stubborn blockers. When I looked back and saw nothing but scared, questioning eyes, I jumped again.

This time I put a little more sting into my efforts and quickly built a decent gap. The peleton tried to react, but I had timed my move to coincide with a couple of quick 90 degree turns, which I was able to take much faster than the clumsy group, and further increased my advantage. As we entered the down slopes, I was gaining on the leader but not fast enough. I started spinning out my 53x12 gearing and would have killed for an 11 in back. Still, I was having a good time off the front and was not eager to return to the boredom of pack riding, so I decided to burn all my matches and either finish bridging or hurt myself trying.

By the start-finish I had closed the gap to about 20 meters, but the chase was gaining fast. Accepting that we'd soon be caught, I sat up again and focused on recovering. I led out the last lap until pace kicked up and I couldn't follow Griswoldo as he streaked toward victory. Had he not been cut off by a jealous rival, he surely would have taken a podium spot. As it is, he somehow managed to stay upright despite breaking a spoke on the disrespectful offender's skewer and coasted to 7th.

Great racing, and the form is coming along nicely. More updates soon.

Hill Training/Prize

Above is the bag I won at the 11th Annual Houston Winter Solstice Race. A little loud for my taste. Which is saying a lot, as my racing kit is white, light blue, gold, and hot pink. The bag is currently for sale.

This past weekend I decided to go out and shock the legs a little with some hills. I tackled Redbud, Courtyard, Jester, and Ladera Norte/Smokey Valley - as well as the rollers on 360. Nothing too major. The legs responded well. Next weekend I'll probably throw in a Bee Caves extension (River Hills and Lost Creek). And a long ride on Sunday.

I've also decreased my alcohol intake to two liters/day. Gotta be good for the race season.

Training Love

Today was a very very good day. When the weather turns angry in Central Texas, many racers run inside to their trainers and rollers, but as a professional cyclist I cannot. I must utilize the Belgium-like conditions of the late fall and winter to build toughness, both in the legs and in the head. So, when the precipitation begins to fall as it did today, I switch over to my custom track bike in order to work on the smooth pedaling motion that will carry me to victory.

Perhaps some others would be less than satisfied with today's outcome, but I myself am quite happy in my heart. I know that today will help me later in the season. Yes, I ran into a difficulty and went down due to the rain and the...how you say...slipperiness? But that was just a little bump at the end of much success in training in power and acceleration. I must have many beautiful accelerations in the spring months if I am to be ready for the competitiveness and vigor of the Fort Davis Hammerfest. I am not too concerned with the cronometro (TT), that is for the specialists.

It Begins...

Well, barring some unforeseen miracle, I'm not going be completing the Hugel this year. Too many distractions, not enough preparation. Still, it's November, and that means it's time to start up training (slowly) for the coming race season. I hope to peak around Fort Davis and podium the hill climb and hopefully the road race as well. This shouldn't be too hard despite the lack of adequate, Ventoux-like mountains in the Austin area - as long as I don't push too hard and get sick like last year.

For the first time in my life, I'll be riding a bike that isn't made of steel, which material as everyone knows is the ultimate in romance and tradition. This makes me a little sad. Still, nothing says ULTRA like titanium, and I'm hoping the Eddy Merckx decals will make up enough in the R & T department. We'll see. My new Campy Chorus groupset arrives on Monday or Tuesday. Build pictures to follow...